Rotation ceremony of gatekeepers performing at ancient palaces like Gyeongbokgung is catching tremendous popularity. Rituals in restrained change of shift that chief gatekeeper and soldiers wearing military uniforms of the Joseon dynasty and a military band dressed in colorful traditional costumes show have already become a representative tour package symbolizing Korea.
Foreign tourists can visit Gyeongbokgung easily, if transferring to subway line 5 at Gongdeok station of Incheon airport railroad and getting off at Gwanghwamun station. That palace is especially popular among foreign travellers and even foreign media have reported it recently.
As it is almost time to perform the rotation ceremony, people start crowding into the front of Gwanghwamun and spaces between Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun. The first drum is sounded at 1 pm, the expected time of changing ritual. It is the signal that gatekeeping soldiers to change shift should prepare for moving to Gwanghwamun. As the second drum is sounded, rotating soldiers start to move from the inside to the outside of Gwanghwamun. Chief gatekeeper exuding his presence in red uniform with long beard, some soldiers who wear sword and carry arrows or spears, showy flags, and military band in traditional costumes move to the plaza between Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun forming a long procession.
▲ Gatekeepers’ rotation ceremony of Gyeongbokgung palace
After finishing military rites of chief gatekeeper and identification checks, rotating soldiers move to Gwanghwamun following words from command of chief gatekeeper. Rotating gatekeepers coming out of Gwanghwamun perform rotating process in discipline with a drum. Soldiers who finished their duties make their exit passing Heungnyemun plaza with a military band.
As soon as completing that event, foreigners as well as locals are busy taking commemorative photos with gatekeeping soldiers of Gwanghwamun. Unlike audiences taking pictures with broad smile, expressionless gatekeeping soldiers like wax figures make people naturally laugh. Chief gatekeeper’s rotation ceremony of Gyeongbokgung is conducted 15 minutes each on 10 am, 1 pm and 3pm everyday, exclusive of regular holidays and every Tuesday.
And there is also a guard ritual at Gyeongbokgung. A guard ritual is the event that heading soldiers and a military bands, a chief gatekeeper goes to Gwanghwamun where gatekeeping soldiers keep on guard and then he checks soldiers’ situation on duty. He examines whether soldiers commit crimes or misbehave or not. Also, he checks weapons, uniforms and military watchword. Chief gatekeeper makes accompanying soldiers shake small bell to convey military command to gatekeeping soldiers.
▲ Guard ritual of chief gatekeeper
A guard ritual taking 10 minutes is simpler than rotation ceremony for 15 minutes. Mainly, it is conducted in front of Gwanghwamun and is different from rotation ceremony to be held at Heungnyemun plaza. A guard ritual holds 10 minutes 3 times a day on 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm.
Audiences can watch rituals related to chief gatekeeper 6 times a day from 10 am to 4 pm, including rotation ceremony and guard ritual.
▲ There are two haetae(mythical unicorn lion) statues on either side of Gwanghwamun where rotation ceremony of chief gatekeeper and guard ritual are held.
Meanwhile, people to enter into Gyeongbokgung palace allegedly got off a palanquin and a horse from in front of haetae statue and walked in. Haetae, imaginary creature, is called hatch. The traditional story has that it was erected to have the force of fire from Gwanak Mt. under control, based on the traditional feng shui, the theory of divination.
<admission fee for Gyeongbokgung palace>
- adult(over the age of 19~ 64 years) : 3,000KRW / 2,400 KRW (a group over 10 persons) / over 65 years is free
- child(over 7 years ~ below 18 years) : 1,500KRW / 1,200 KRW (a group over 10 persons)
- integrated admission ticket to 4 palaces and Jongmyo shrine : 10,000 KRW (available within 3 months after purchase)
<How to get to Gyeongbokgung>
- Gongdeok station of Incheon airport railroad > transfer to subway line 5 > 10 minutes’ walk from exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung station
- Seoul station of Incheon airport railroad > transfer to subway line 1 > Jongno-3 ga station > transfer to subway line 3 > 5 minutes’ walk from exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung station
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