Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

- Homepage
royal.khs.go.kr

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

- Address : 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul


※ Presentation Information
- Information and Guides
+82-2-771-9951

- Parking
Not available

- Day Off
Mondays (Closed the following business day in the case of Monday being a national holiday)

- Operating Hours
09:00-21:00
* Last admission 1 hour before closing

[Exhibitions] Seokjojeon Hall 09:30-17:30
Dondeokjeon Hall 09:00-17:30
Jungmyeongjeon Hall 09:30-17:30



- Admission Fees
Individuals: 1,000 won / Groups: 800 won
* Group: 10 or more people
* Separate ticket must be purchased for the art museum

- Restrooms
Available

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

- Homepage
https://royal.khs.go.kr/

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

⊙ National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] (국립현대미술관 덕수궁)

- Homepage
www.mmca.go.kr

- Tel
+82-2-2022-0600

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] was originally built as an annex to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum specializes in seeking out and researching modern art, exhibiting and preserving it, supporting and developing educational programs, and furthering publications and international exchanges. Located within Deoksugung Palace, the center maintains a unique traditional atmosphere. The museum planned and showcased a total of 38 unique exhibitions from 1998 to 2005. Besides the exhibitions, the center has various performances such as music and mime, as well as lectures or seminars on artists' works.

⊙ Jeongdong Culture Festival (정동문화축제)

- Homepage
business.khan.co.kr

- Tel
+82-2-3701-1603

Jeongdong Culture Festival brings an autumn ambience to Jeongdong-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival aims to promote the attractions within the area through various events and exhibitions.

⊙ Re-Heater(리히터)

⊙ Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church or Korea (대한성공회 서울주교좌성당)

- Homepage
www.cathedral.or.kr (Korean only)

- Tel
+82-2-730-6611

Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church of Korea began
construction under Mark Trollope, the third bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea, in 1922. It was designed by a English architect Arthor Dixon. Dedication ceremony of the church was held On May 2, 1926 when the construction work hadn't been completed yet. At that time, the church building was a 3-storey building with
a 992 m² floor size. Later in 1993, the original blue print of the church was found at a library in England and the construction resumed
and would be completed in 1996.



The church building is a harmonious combination of Romanesque and traditional Korean style. The exterior of the church is shaped like a cross with various lines placed in harmony. Inside the cathedral, there are 12 stone columns symbolizing the 12 apostles, a
mosaic of Jesus on the front wall, and a brass plate in commemoration of Mark Trollope. Under the brass plate, the
remains of the bishop Mark Trollope are enshrined.

* Size: B1-3F

* Building site area: 519㎡ (157 pyeong), Ground area 909㎡ (275 pyeong)

⊙ Dalgaebi (달개비)

- Homepage
www.dalgaebi.com (Korean only)

- Tel
+82-82-2-765-2035, 2068

Dalgaebi is a restaurant specializing in Korean table d'hote, using fresh seasonal ingredients. Its flagship menu is the teukseon sangcharim jeongsik (special set menu), which includes porridge, seasonal dishes, main courses, and desserts. The galbi sangcharim (galbi course), featuring premium Korean beef galbi grilled over charcoal and served with soybean paste jjigae, is also popular. Known for its private dining spaces and upscale ambiance, reservations can be made via phone.

⊙ Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

- Homepage
royal.khs.go.kr/dsg
www.royalguard.kr

- Tel
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-737-6444

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.



The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day, with each ceremony following the same procedure and lasts for forty minutes to an hour, and the ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.


As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders.


The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. Once the ceremony is over, visitors can take pictures with the gatekeepers.

⊙ The Dresser(더 드레서)

⊙ Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

- Homepage
https://royal.khs.go.kr/

- Tel
+82-2-771-9951

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.



This work was created by the Korea Tourism Organization for 25 years and opened as the first type of public Nuri. You can download it for free from the Korea Tourism Organization, https://kto.visitkorea.or.kr/eng.kto