Kumho Museum of Art (금호미술관)

298.8M 2020-06-11

18, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-5114

The Kumho Museum of Art was opened to celebrate the diversity of art. The museum displays new pieces of art from promising new artists and accomplished artists every year. The museum first opened its doors in Gwanhun-dong in 1989, but moved to a larger area in 1996 where it stands today. The Kumho Museum of Art stands on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum is surrounded by other cultural and folk museums. The B1 floor features artwork of new artists while the 1st and 2nd floors feature project exhibitions and invitation exhibits. About once a year foreign artists are invited to display their art in the museum. There are official invitation exhibitions of seven artists yearly. These are artists who have strongly influenced Korean art. On the 3rd floor of the museum is a small concert hall, also known as Kumho Recital Hall. Although the capacity is only 171 people, all concerts are executed with professional care. On the 1st floor there is a coffee shop and an art shop. The coffee shop and art shop remain open on days the museum is closed.

Boan1942 (보안1942)

298.2M 2023-08-17

33 , Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of "Boanstay."

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul's historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

Gallery Hyundai (갤러리 현대)

301.6M 2021-03-18

14, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2287-3500

Gallery Hyundai has been improving daily for over 40 years since April 1970, working closely with various Korean artists in modern art. Gallery Hyundai introduces varied artists including prominent artists, as well as up-and-coming artists, regardless of genre through sophisticated exhibitions, showing domestic and overseas art all in one place.

Dugahun (두가헌)

301.6M 2024-03-20

23 Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-2100

Dugahun is a wine restaurant near Gyeongbokgung Palace, meaning "a very beautiful house." Located in a traditional hanok from the 1910s, it offers a taste of Western culture with wine. Only lunch and dinner courses are available, and customers can select wines from the underground wine cellar or bring their own. Across the street, Gallery Dugahun, housed in a historic Russian-style brick building built in the late period of Joseon, showcases high-quality art pieces.

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

304.7M 2023-03-24

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-7500

The National Palace Museum of Korea displays over 40,000 relics from the Joseon dynasty. With various treasures on exhibit, the museum continues to provide information on the dignity of royal culture and the creativity of royal cultural assets.

Gogung Tteurak (고궁뜨락)

304.7M 2020-04-17

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-0486

Located on the first floor of the National Palace Museum of Korea, Gogung Tteurak consists of a museum shop and a café. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00 during the weekdays and up to 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It operates without closing days as of January 1, 2017.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

305.7M 2022-12-14

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Gallery Simon (갤러리 시몬)

346.1M 2022-09-15

20, Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-3031

Since its opening in April, 1994, Gallery Simon has continued to focus on promoting the beauty of modern art. Exhibitions include works from experienced artists as well as the works of budding artists, both from Korea and abroad. Select artists, referred to collectively as "Simon's Friends," have exhibitions annually. The changing collections allow the museum and featured artists to constantly strive for improvement and follow the changes in art over time.

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (황생가칼국수)

353.3M 2024-03-18

78 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-6334

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu is a specialty restaurant located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, known for its kalguksu (noodle soup). Kalguksu is a type of noodle soup made by thinly slicing dough into noodles with a knife and boiling them in a broth made from beef bones, clams, or seafood. Their menu includes options like wang mandu (jumbo mandu), hanu suyuk (boiled Korean beef slices), kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup), beoseot jeongol (mushroom hot pot), and mandutguk (mandu soup). It was selected as a Michelin Guide Seoul 2023 restaurant.

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관&국립민속박물관 어린이박물관)

355.4M 2024-03-04

37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea, located within Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcases artifacts related to Korean traditional culture. This interactive museum allows children to experience and learn about various aspects of Korean traditional clothing, food, society, culture, and games firsthand. Especially catering to children from Asian countries, there is a service for renting items, and reservations are required for admission.

Kumho Museum of Art (금호미술관) - Area information - Korea travel information