Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

- Tel
+82-2-120

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. The observatory has a cafe inside where visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace from above. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong.

- Address : 15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul


※ Presentation Information
- Information and Guides
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-120



- Admission Fees
Free

- Restrooms
Available

- Available Facilities
Cafe Darak

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Yurimmyeon (유림면)

- Tel
+82-2-755-0659

This store, which has a long history of over 50 years, makes noodles using only Bongpyeong buckwheat. The best menu at this restaurant is buckwheat noodles. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

- Homepage
www.deoksugung.go.kr
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.

⊙ Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

- Homepage
jeongdong-culturenight.kr

- Tel
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

⊙ Manjok Ohyang Jokbal City Hall (만족오향족발 시청)

- Homepage
https://www.manjok.net/

- Tel
+82-2-753-4755

Located close to City Hall station, Manjok Ohyang Jokbal specializes in jokbal (braised pigs' feet). The restaurant has been recognized for its quality by being included in the 2023 Michelin Guide. It is recommended to try jaengban guksu (jumbo sized buckwheat noodles) and riceballs, which are perfect for pairing with pork feet. Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, and Namdaemun Gate are nearby, so visiting them will enrich one's cultural experience. 

⊙ Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관(서소문본관))

- Homepage
sema.seoul.go.kr

- Tel
+82-2-2124-8800

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is a space for all to meet and experience the joy of art. Located in the center of Jeong-dong, a district that retains traces of Seoul’s modern and contemporary history, the museum integrates the historical facade of the former Supreme Court with modern architecture. In addition to various programs―encompassing exhibitions, educational outreach initiatives, screenings, workshops, performances, and talks, communal spaces including SeMA Cafe, the artbook store, the open space lobby, and the outdoor sculpture park SeMA WALK provide a rich range of ways for visitors to experience art.

⊙ 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.

⊙ Olive Young - City Hall Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 시청역)

- Homepage
www.oliveyoung.co.kr

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⊙ Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

- Homepage
www.deoksugung.go.kr

- Tel
+82-2-120

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.

⊙ Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

- Homepage
www.deoksugung.go.kr (Korean, English)

- 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 22 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