Travel/Culture List

Gwangjang Market
 
5.0/1
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
The Gwangjang Market is the nation’s first market and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The second floor of the market provides all of your silk, satin, and linen bed-sheet stores, which are the largest and most famous in Seoul. Many of the stores in the area even have their own factories supplying fabrics to the Namdaemun Market, Pyoung Hwa Market, and even to some department stores. Even though the goods are not brand-name products, the wide selection of high quality goods at inexpensive prices makes it an enjoyable shopping experience. 

Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center provides information on travelling, shopping, attractions and more in Seoul. Visitors can also try on hanbok and hangeul stamp experience as well as visit a gift shop.

Dong-Lim Knot Museum
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Opened in April 2004, Donglim Knot Museum has on exhibit a variety of decorative traditional Korean maedeup (knots): norigae for hanbok, belts, pouches, as well as materials like thread, cord, and accessories. Housed in a hanok, a traditional Korean house, the gallery has a variety of exhibits, including old and new artwork, and creations that reflect modern trends.The museum also operates a maedeup class taught by an apprentice of museum curator Sim Yeong-mi. Lessons are available in a one-day program as well as in a long-term program. To participate, call (+82-2-3673-2778, Korean) at least two days in advance. The classes operate from 10am to 6pm and have a maximum capacity of 12 people. The museum is closed on Mondays. Instructions are given only in Korean, so foreigners are advised to come with a local guide. 

Jemulpo Gurakbu - Incheon
 
Incheon(Jemulpo-gu)
Discover Jemulpo Gurabu: A Cultural Landmark in Incheon for International Visitors For international tourists visiting South Korea, Jemulpo Gurabu in Incheon is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of history and culture. This site, originally established as a social club in 1901, has been a significant venue for cultural exchange and interactions among various nationalities, including Americans, British, Germans, French, Russians, and even a small number of Chinese and Japanese residents. Jemulpo Gurabu, initially known as the Jemulpo Club, was built to foster camaraderie and social interaction among the foreign residents of Incheon during a crucial period of Korea's opening to the world. The club is housed in a picturesque two-story brick building, topped with a tin roof, echoing the architectural style of its era. The interior was thoughtfully designed with facilities such as a social room, a library, a billiards table, and a tennis court, reflecting its purpose as a hub for leisure and socialization.         ​ The club's history is marked by various transformations, mirroring the dynamic political and cultural shifts in Korea. After the foreign concession areas were abolished in 1914, the building served multiple purposes, including a Japanese veteran's hall and a women's association center. Post Korean liberation, it was used by the U.S. military. The building's role as a cultural center continued as it became the Incheon City Museum from 1953 to 1990 and later the Incheon Cultural Center from 1990 to 2006. In 2007, Jemulpo Gurabu was reborn, emphasizing its historical significance and the Japanese pronunciation of "club". Today, it stands as a testament to the rich cultural interactions of modern history, attracting visitors from all around the globe. For international tourists, especially those interested in the history of international relations and cultural exchange, Jemulpo Gurabu is an unmissable destination. Its rich history, architectural beauty, and significance as a site of cultural confluence make it a fascinating stop in Incheon. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, or simply in search of unique travel experiences, Jemulpo Gurabu offers a deep dive into Korea's diverse and intricate past, making it a must-visit landmark in South Korea.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located at the center of Insa-dong, Seoul. Insa-dong is famous as a traditional cultural street. Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is a cultural ground for artists and is also a tourist attraction. It is divided into three gallery halls, an outdoor gallery hall, an outdoor stage where many events take place, a screen, and finally a traditional teahouse. People love this place because it is where artists can meet and exhibit their art pieces, and where tradition and modern culture intermingle. The first gallery of Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is composed of two floors. It is the largest gallery hall in Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art. The pleasant and spacious gallery hall is quite striking; it excellently accomplishes all kinds of exhibitions. The second gallery hall can be divided into three floors, a greenhouse, and a terrace. First of all, this gallery hall is made entirely of glass. Natural sunlight warms up the room. It is a place where the artificial steel frames and the naturalness of the indoor trees create an exquisite harmony. The plane artistry and cubic artistry are exhibited to their fullest effect here. The third art gallery hall is in the form of a Korean house, which looks great together with the outside garden. It is a place that incorporates the beauty of a traditional Korean house. If you are interested in traditional Korean houses, you should visit this gallery. It is especially famous for its crafts, paintings, and Korean-style art. Apart from all these there is an art and craft shop. At the art and craft shop you can buy and view the art pieces and props of many talented artists, including wood printing and paintings. It is beloved by many due to the fact that here you can experience the lives of currently active artists. At Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art there are two places where you can enjoy refreshments. One place is the ‘teahouse.' At the teahouse you can feel the aroma of the four seasons breathing with you. The delicacies of the shop are the diverse herbal teas and the natural fruit ice cream. If you treat yourself to the natural fruit ice cream along with the aroma of the herbal tea, surely all your fatigue will melt away. If you want to try a different traditional tea place, you should visit 'Dawon.' The sublime sound of the hanging-bell at the roof’s edge and the beauty of a traditional Korean-style house will make you feel like you are in a Korean temple. At ‘Dawon’ there are 15 different kinds of traditional Korean tea. And since one can enjoy the sculptures of the garden while drinking, it is widely visited both by Koreans and foreigners alike.

Incheon International Airport Terminal 2
 
Incheon(Yeongjong-gu)
Since opening in 2001, Incheon International Airport received the best airport in the world award for 12 straight years. And to further improve, the Terminal 2 officially opened in 2018 after 9 years of construction. Terminal 2 themed Artport adds the Art to the Airport for an entertainment space full of things to see and enjoy. With self-checking counters and smart counter that automatically checks in the luggage for the convenience of the passenger, an high tech airport provides both information with info-robots and stronger security. With a shorter security check line, passengers can enjoy all the cultural space and attractions the airport has to provide. “Korean Food Street” offers top of the line franchise restaurants and various dessert cafes. Cultural art space is filled with an indoor garden, art sculptures and exhibitions. Also don’t forget to watch different performances in front of Korea Traditional Culture Center.

Gansong Art Museum
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
Nestled in a tranquil neighborhood, the Gansong Art Museum, which stretches over 4,000 pyeong (13,223 square meters), is a respite from the bustling city streets. Bahwagak, the main building, is home to a number of some of the rarest Korean antiquities. This collection of national treasures is the lifelong work of founder, Jeon Hyeong-pil.This art museum holds some of the oldest paintings in Korea. The museum only opens its doors to the public for two weeks in May and October and has done so every year since its opening in October 1971. The Gansong Art Museum’s collections are highly regarded for their high quality and artistic caliber.The Gansong Art Museum is located at 2nd Level of Design Exhibition Hall of Dongdaemun Design Plaza. The Kansong art exhibition will be on display at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).

Yeonmijeong Pavilion
 
Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)
Yeonmijeong Pavilion, located in Wolgot-ri in the county of Ganghwa-gun, is the designated Incheon Tangible Cultural Asset No. 24 (designated on March 1, 1995). While the exact date of construction is unknown, the pavilion was greatly damaged and then rebuilt afterwards due to the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, the Byeongja Chinese Invasion in 1636, and the Korean War on June 25, 1950. The name Yeonmi comes from the swallow tail-shape of Imjingang River and Yeomhagang River ('yeon' means swallow and ‘mi’ means a tail). As the pavilion stands on top of Wolgotdondae, visitors can see Paju-si, Gimpo-si, Gaepung-gun in Hwanghae-do (North Korea) at a glance.  

Chungmu Art Hall
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
Opened March 25, 2005, the Chungmu Art Hall, operated by the Jung-gu Cultural Foundation, is located near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 4 or 5). The art hall has a grand theater (1,255 seats), a mid-sized theater (327 seats), a small theater (230 seats), the Chungmu Gallery (203㎡), and a convention center (310㎡). The Jung-gu Cultural Foundation made an effort to make Jung-gu a creative venue for culture and art. Visitors of all ages can enjoy and participate in cultural experiences through artistic shows at the hall.<

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul]
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
In 2013, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea opened a new branch in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu at the former site of the Defense Security Command. The announcement for the construction of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) came out in 2009, and the architecture for the museum was selected through idea proposals and an architectural design competition in 2010. What makes the Seoul branch different from the others is that it introduced Korea’s traditional architectural concept of ‘madang’, which is a spacious courtyard where people can come in and gather together to socialize. MMCA Seoul's building is also designed to harmonize with the surrounding nature around the city.Equipped with facilities including a reference center, a project gallery theater and a multipurpose hall, MMCA Seoul strives to accommodate every mode of new artistic endeavor and to communicate with the public. The site is where Korea’s historical and political developments were achieved. Most of the old buildings are gone but a few still remains to remind people of its significant role.MMCA Seoul was inaugurated on November 12, 2013