Museums Seoul South Korea - Attractions

This is one of the most extensive museums in Seoul, housing art and archaeological objects from Korean prehistory through to the end of the Chosun Dynasty (1910). Throughout the three-floor museum, there are 4,500 artifacts in 18 permanent galleries on display. Audio guides, touch screens, and video rooms all help to bring the ancient world alive here. In addition to regular exhibitions, the museum offers special educational programs such as public lectures, arts and crafts classes, and special tours.

Established in 1988, this museum is located on the former site of Kyonghee—gung palace. There are four floors with six exhibition halls. The collections include more than 170 Korean paintings, Western paintings and prints. There is an outdoor sculpture park. Spend a peaceful and relaxing day amidst beautiful works of art. If you are an art enthusiast and would like to learn, the museum offers art courses every Friday.

Opened in 1987, this museum chronicles the history of Korea's agriculture. There are seven exhibition halls including the Prehistory Hall, Three Kingdoms Hall, Chosun Hall and Monthly Work Hall. The most interesting display, however, is about the history of making kimchi and you can learn how to make it in one of the classes offered. Outside the museum, there are numerous examples of popular plants from around Korea, including a rice paddy. In the garden, there is a water mill and a grindstone that was once driven by oxen.

Located within Seoul Station, this museum showcases a collection of items introducing Korea's railway history. Opened in April 1987, the museum shows scenes and equipment from the very first railway up to the modern subway—there is even an exhibit about the high-speed rail line. With more than 500 items, including maps of Korea's railway system, sample tickets from different time periods and uniforms worn by railway officials, you are sure to have an intresting experience. If you hold a valid train ticket you can gain free admission. Discounts are available for groups, while seniors, toddlers and the handicapped are admitted free.

This museum showcases rare relics from around the world. Exhibits include clothing, food and ritual tools as well as model dwellings. You can see, for example, the biggest mask in the world, the heaviest silver coin and an elephant mask made of rare gems. In addition, folk cultures of tribes living in remote areas are depicted through various displays ranging from cave dwellings through a Peruvian mummy to dance masks of the Dogon Tribe of Mali. A visit to this museum will give you a look at the personal lives of our ancient ancestors.

Korea's first bank - Chohung Bank - established this museum in 1997 in celebration of its centenary. Half an hour is all it takes to gain a glimpse into the history of Korean financial development. Visitors can see how Koreans managed before the invention of paper money - with coins and other trading items dating back to 900 on display. Also of interest are the various types of abacuses, some of which are still in use today. This is one of the only specialty finance museums in Korea. Limited English explanations accompany the exhibits, and guides can provide further information. Admission is free.

Located on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea is a must see for those interested in Korean history. Established and operated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it has more than 25,000 artifacts on show. This is one of the best places to learn about the religious rituals, housing, food, household tools and implements, customs, and everyday life of the kings and common people in the Joseon Dynasty. Call to know the timings.

The 27,000 square meter Samsung Museum of Art Complex was designed in 1997. It provides support to cultural and artistic activities, thus increasing their life span and raising their historical value. The Institute is involved in the following: conservation of metal and ceramic works, Korean paintings and contemporary and modern art works. Artworks are preserved here through application of the most advanced technology. The experts undertake the material study to establish appropriate environmental conditions and develop better conservation and restoration techniques.

This small and interesting museum has a lot to offer its visitors. There is a wishing pond where you can make a wish by throwing a coin into the waiting waters. In addition, there is a sculpture garden, a cafe, and an art shop. The sculpture garden is simply amazing. Surrounded by more than one hundred different varieties of trees, this landscaped area provides an interesting mix of contemporary art and nature.

If you have an hour to spare and you love art, you will want to visit this museum. Total Art Museum is a non-profit private art museum, which has a very large collection of artifacts. The collection includes more than 150 paintings, more than 150 sculptures, 200 prints, 5,000 tomes of fine arts, 20,000 illustrated books, and video data. Special events are held here, including concerts and the awarding of the Total Fine Arts Award. The museum collects and exhibits works of modern art as well as old masters. There is an admission fee of KRW2,000 per person.

Rumored to have once been the house of a politician from the Chosun Dynasty, this building is now the abode of artworks. Particularly frequented by foreign visitors, the Kyung-in Art Gallery is a popular venue for upcoming artists who wish to display their works. There are three independent exhibition spaces for use, and a garden area that serves as a natural open-air gallery accommodating sculptures and various installations.

Perhaps the biggest war museum in the world, anybody who wants to know about the history of the Korean War would be well advised to visit here. Visitors can enjoy two exhibition areas-one indoors and the other outdoors. With all the different displays to see, you will almost feel like you had experienced the war yourself. It is also a good place to rest and to absorb some Korean culture. Open daily 9:30am.

If you have not tried kimchi, you cannot really say that you have tried Korean food. Kimchi is a kind of pickled food, mostly vegetable, that is unique to Korea. In this museum there are many books which detail the history and evolution of kimchi, relics, and the tools used in the making and storing of kimchi. Also on display are the various styles of kimchi and ingredients used. Since each region of Korea has its own special variety, it is not difficult to understand how this museum could have gathered together a collection of 321 artifacts. Admission is free.

Seoul Station was originally called Gyeongseong Station when it opened in 1899. It took its present name in 1946 and was designated as a historical monument in 1981. As well as railway services, it hosts a shopping arcade, the Railroad Museum and a cultural center. Seoul functions as a hub for the country's fast and reliable rail network that offers an efficient way to see the country. The Metropolitan Subway system is probably the most efficient means of movement in and around Seoul. There are eight subway lines that merge with the national railway lines and each line is colored differently for easy recognition. A surface line of the government-run Korean National Railroad (KNR) merging with these serves Seoulites and visitors most effectively. Trains run at intervals of two-and-a-half to three minutes during the morning and evening rush hours, and at intervals of four to six minutes during the non-rush hours. Tickets cost around KRW600 for Service Area One (yellow color code) and around KRW700 for Service Area Two (orange color code).

Located in downtown Seoul across from City Hall, this palace was built as the main residence for the kings of the early Chosun Dynasty. Among all the palaces in Seoul, this palace exhibits the first Western-style building, Sokjojon, a stone hall. Presently, Sokjojon is being used as the exhibition hall for the Royal Artifact Museum. Every weekend between 2pm and 3:30pm, you can witness the changing of the Royal Guards which takes place at the grand entrance to the palace.