Seoul Royal Guard Changing Ceremony

About the festival

The Seoul Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a leading traditional-culture reenactment hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It vividly recreates the changing of the guards who watched the palace gates in the Joseon era. The sumunjang was a junior sixth-rank official who, together with the cham-ha and gate guards of the Sumunjangcheong office, guarded the palace gates, controlled entry and exit, and carried out patrols. The ceremony is based on historical records and is set mainly at Deoksugung in the late Joseon period. It is held six days a week except Mondays, at 11:00 and 14:00 in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung. Various experience programs are also offered: "Gaesikgo Experience" lets visitors beat the drum to signal the start of the ceremony, "I Am a Sumunjang" lets visitors wear the guard's costume and play the role, and "Traditional Costume Experience" lets visitors take photos in Joseon-era clothing, a popular activity.