Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony in Seoul (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

Royal guard-changing ceremony outside Deoksugung palace in Seoul The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists It is held three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30) in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace As each ceremony follows the same procedure and lasts for thirty minutes, visitors can choose whichever time is most convenient 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 (visitkorea or kr)