Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

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


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in Gahoe-dong (Jongno-gu), Myeongin Museum is the only museum in Seoul that specializes in masks, including traditional Korean masks and masks from around the world. Visitors can find the "Myeongin Collection" on the first floor and a large exhibition hall on the first basement level. The museum is home to over 500 rare masks collected by its director over the course of 30 years from Korea and countries around the world. Masks at the museum reflect the unique cultures of countries from all over Africa, Oceania, Latin America, India, Tibet, Nepal, China, Japan, and East Asia. In addition to these fascinating masks, the Myeongin Collection further offers visitors a look into culture with a number of Buddhist sculptures, Buddhist paintings, Buddhist crafts, ceramics, modern art, and western paintings. 


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Hangang Park has opened six outdoor swimming pools (including one at Yeouido Hangang Park). Each pool has excellent amenities, including equipment rentals and food and drink services. 


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

The Gangnam Canoe Club has a variety of services and equipment that enables visitors to experience the joys of kayaking worry-free. Kayak lessons, rentals, tours and equipment storage services are available. Make new friends and enjoy the beauty of the Han River with a visit to the Gangnam Canoe Club. Kayaking at the Gangnam Canoe Club is taught with a methodical system that aims at giving more people a safe and enjoyable kayaking experience, regardless of level. The club staff loves nature and has a passion for paddle sports. Using a dynamic teaching approach, staff members see teaching paddle sports as their mission in life, not just a job. With a pleasant, supportive staff that is always in pursuit of new experiences, participants are sure to create their own adventures.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Hangang Park opened six outdoor swimming pools (including one at Yeouido Hangang Park). Supported by meticulous water quality management, they are not only safe, but also an inexpensive to private facilities. Excellent amenities offer swimming equipment rentals, food, and beverages.* Location- In front of Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Jamsil Sport Complex


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

Established in December 1984, Seoul Nori Madang (서울놀이마당) offers diverse traditional performances on an outdoor stage to promote Korean folk plays and culture among the public. Performances are regularly held every weekend; it hosts over 120 performances every year and each performance attracts over 1,300 visitors. Within Seoul Nori Madang is Songpa Folk Preservation Association (+82-2-412-8665), which offers seminars on folk plays—Songpa Sandae Nori (a mask play) and Songpa Baekjung Nori (a play performed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month)—for students at no charge.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Hanok Homestay Information Center was opened in the famous Bukchon Hanok Village by the Jongno-gu District Office to promote 'hanok tourism' in Seoul. The center spans over a lot area of 102.5㎡, with a total floor area of 52.05㎡. At the center, professional staff are working to offer hanok homestay reservation services, interpretation services and traditional cultural programs, a resting place for all visitors, and tourism information throughout the Jongno area, including Bukchon.The information center is divided into three sections: Information, Exhibition & Experience, and Daecheong. The Information section offers reservation services, operates hanok homestay program and introduces the features of hanok and available traditional culture program for hands-on activities. The Exhibition & Experience area is the venue for trying on hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) or ancient royal clothing as a traditional experience.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

Gwangnaru Safety Experience Center was founded with the goal of preventing tragedies and saving the lives of children and youth. Because of fire accidents like "Sirent" in 1999, which occurred in Hwasong city in Gyungi-do, and another fire accident in the bar of Enhyon-dong located in Inchon Gwangyuok city where a lot of children and youth lost their lives, the necessity of establishing a disaster training center for common citizens was urgently felt. To teach people how to remain safe during disasters the Seoul Citizen Training Center was created. Gwangnaru Safety Experience Center is a three-story building of more than 5000 m². The basement floor includes a small theater. The first floor is set up for natural disaster training and consists of an orientation hall, storm simulation training room, earthquake simulation room, computer tests on fire safety knowledge and others. The second floor is a place for artificial catastrophe training. It consists of a smoke escape training room, fire extinguisher training room, first-aid (CPR) training room and practicing place for calling 119 (The emergency number in Korea). The third floor is used for people rescue training and consists of a rescue training room, screening room, training for professionals and video examples of five biggest disasters that have occurred in Seoul. Overall there are about 20 training corners established, so citizens can experience the imitation of a disaster by themselves and learn easily and in an interesting way to cope with a disaster. We believe that if children, youth and common citizens listen to fire fighters and personally experience training, it will help to learn the correct way to face dangerous situation and deal with a disaster.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

This road takes you from Sinchon Subway Station right to Yonsei University. Like branching tree roots, the numerous side streets diverge off the main road. In 1999 Yonsei College Street was designated as “The Road One Wants to Walk.” Since then this famous street has been improved upon even more, placed on tourist maps and promoted by businesses. A visitor to this area can eat at a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops and stores. In the afternoon hours, you can also enjoy the taste of small food stands that line the sidewalks.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

The Yejiwon is located in Seoul Jung-gu Jangchung-dong and has been offering traditional Korean etiquette education programs since its inception on September 16th, 1974. Furthermore, the Yejiwon also serves to introduce the traditional cultures and living cultures of Korean etiquettes to foreigners. Most programs offered are short-term classes, and reservations can be made on the homepage up to 15 days in advance. Reservations are only available for groups of 10 or more and classes are instructed in Korean only, so it may be a good idea to be accompanied by a guide.