Royal Guard Changing Ceremony in Seoul

Royal Guard Changing Ceremony in Seoul

Do you know that Royal Guard Changing Ceremony takes place in Seoul like Buckingham Palace’s the guard changing?

Although Sumunjang Changing Ceremony is not exactly same as Buckingham Palace’s the guard changing because it is just event for tourist, it is still a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional ceremony in center of Seoul.



Sumunjang was a group who was in charge of the palace’s security in Joseon dynasty. They guarded the Gwanghwamun, Heunginjimun and Sungnyemun which was the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king of Joseon lived. 




The reason why you should watch this ceremony is that the guard’s uniforms, weapons, accessories, and particularly the guard’s strict ceremonial procedures are exactly same as Joseon dynasty, which means Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is Korean tradition itself. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun Guard-Changing Ceremony

Performance Times
1. Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (Sumunjang Changing Ceremony) – 20min per ceremony
Time: 10:00, 14:00 
2. Gwanghwamun Gate Guard-on-Duty Performance – 10min per ceremony
Time: 11:00, 13:00
3. Sumungun Military Training (in front of Hyeopsaenmun Gate) – 15min per ceremony
Time: 9:30, 13:30



Admission/Participation Fees
Free

Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (Sumunjang Changing Ceremony) takes place 2 times of every day except Tuesday.

Transportation
Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 5.
Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 2.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony

Performance Times

11:00-11:40 / 14:00-14:40 / 15:30-16:30 (excluding Mondays)

* Schedule is subject to change and the program may be canceled due to weather conditions.

Admission/Participation Fees

Free

Transportation

[Subway]

City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 2.

- Go straight 100m to arrive at Daehanmun Gate on the right.

Don’t forget to take your camera because you can borrow the guard’s uniform and walk inside the palace while taking lots of pictures. 

Let’s go Gwanghwamun (Gyeongbokgung Palace) and Deoksugung Palace to experience Joseon dynasty’s ceremony took place in Seoul.