Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관(서소문본관)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관(서소문본관))

1.5Km    2024-06-19

61 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+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.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

1.5Km    2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

Gahoe Museum (가회민화박물관)

Gahoe Museum (가회민화박물관)

1.5Km    2025-10-31

52 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-0466

Opened in 2002, Gahoe Museum exhibits folk paintings and amulets reflecting the lifestyle and wishes of the Korean people from ancient times. Inside the Hanok gallery, visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of Korea, including old paintings depicting people's lifestyle in the past and religious beliefs, and roof tiles in the shape of humans or goblins. Visitors will also find folding screens and religious objects used in the past that show skills and knowledge of Korean ancestors.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

1.5Km    2022-08-11

15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+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.

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

1.5Km    2025-03-16

29 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-2235

As of today, there are approximately 70 shops in the Insa-dong area that sell antique arts. Some of the products they sell include antique artworks, porcelains, woodcrafts, and metalwork. Visitors may even find rare and valuable products such as earthenware from the Silla period or white porcelain used in the Joseon dynasty. Each shop is a specialty store, authorized to sell product types that are of their expertise, ranging from antique furniture and traditional artworks to handcrafted items.

Bukchon Cultural Center (북촌문화센터)

Bukchon Cultural Center (북촌문화센터)

1.5Km    2025-06-19

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Bukchon Cultural Center, located in a hanok, was established to offer traditional cultural experience opportunities for visitors to the area. The programs include tea ceremony, handicraft, and gugak as well as a Public Relations Exhibition Hall introducing Bukchon culture and hanok. Also, the center houses a space and a pavilion for visitors to relax while traveling.

Eight Scenic Views of Bukchon (북촌 8경)

1.5Km    2024-03-18

37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4161

The Eight Scenic Views of Bukchon can be found at the Bukchon Hanok Village between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Bukchon was historically a district where the aristocracy of Joseon had resided in, so it is still home to a large number of traditional dwellings, called hanok in Korean. The eight views are as follows: No. 1, view of Chengdeokgung Palace; No. 2, view of Wonseo-dong Handicraft Road; No. 3, view of the Gahoe-dong area; No. 4, view from the hill at Gahoe-dong (Bukchon Observatory); No. 5, the view of the road uphill at Gahoe-dong; No. 6, the view of the road downhill at Gahoe-dong; No. 7, the view at house number (beonji) 31, Gahoe-dong; No. 8, the view of the stone stairway at Samcheong-dong.

Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Hanok Hotel (락고재 서울 북촌 한옥호텔)

Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Hanok Hotel (락고재 서울 북촌 한옥호텔)

1.5Km    2025-10-27

49-23 , Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-3410

Rakgojae Bukchon Hanok Hotel in Jongru-gu, Seoul, is a traditional hanok compound with a 130-year history, renovated by master carpenter Jeong Yeong-jin. The elegant gate and stone walls, the traditional roof tiles, the jangdokdae jar store, the pavilions and ponds - not to mention the beautiful pine trees - express the archetypal beauty of hanok. Sitting on the daecheongmaru (wooden patio) with a breeze in the trees, guests will feel taken back in time. Guestrooms are clean and comfortable, and visitors can relax in a wood-fired red-clay sauna and a jade-covered ondol room,. Traditional culture programs are available.

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

1.5Km    2022-10-14

19, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-319-5578

The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum is dedicated to Henry Gerhart Appenzeller, the missionary who opened the first Western-style educational institution in Korea in 1885. The school started with English and core subjects, but expanded into the Pai Chai University, Pai Chai High School, and Pai Chai Middle School and has many famous alumni, including Rhee Syng-man. The memorial hall opened in 2008 in the east wing of the original school building, which was built in 1916 and designated as a Seoul Monument. With dynamically arranged permanent exhibitions, annual special exhibitions and special lectures, the museum offers a unique learning experience to visitors and people with an interest in the history of education in Korea.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

1.5Km    2025-06-19

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. As Bukchon Hanok Village is an actual neighborhood with people's homes, visitors are advised to be respectful at all times while looking around.