Gyeongbokgung Changing of the Guard 2026: Free Ceremony Times, Location, and How to Get There
Bottom line: The Gyeongbokgung Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony, held in the plaza in front of Heungnyemun Gate, runs only twice a day — 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., 20 minutes each. It's a free public event with no ticket needed, so time your visit to one of those two slots or you'll miss it.
If you didn't know: Show up at Gwanghwamun without knowing the schedule and you can miss one of the two daily showings (10 a.m. or 2 p.m.) and end up waiting up to 4 hours for the next one. The same plaza also hosts a shorter 10-minute guard-inspection ceremony at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., which you'll miss too if you don't know the times.
Changing of the Guard ceremony — daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (20 minutes each) · Guard-inspection ceremony — daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (10 minutes each) · Location: the plaza in front of Heungnyemun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace · Admission: free · Free guard-costume try-on available at the guard office, first-come-first-served (check on site) · Can be suspended under extreme-heat warnings or other weather conditions · Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5, about a 5-minute walk.
The Korea Heritage Service's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center said it re-enacts early-Joseon-era costumes and weapons daily, staging the Changing of the Guard ceremony twice a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Heungnyemun area of Gyeongbokgung, with a 10-minute guard-inspection ceremony at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. However, when the Ministry of the Interior and Safety issues an extreme-heat warning, the entire program is suspended to protect performers and visitors from heat illness, resuming once the warning is lifted — such warnings are unlikely in November, but it's safer to check with the Center on the day of your visit. This schedule and suspension rule were confirmed on the Segye Ilbo article "폭염중대경보에 경복궁 수문장 교대 의식 중단…안전 고려" ("Extreme-heat warning halts Gyeongbokgung's guard-changing ceremony"), viewed November 2, 2026.
Journey stage: During the trip · Verified 2026-11-02
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