Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

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. 


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area

Geek Live House is one of the most popular live clubs in the Hongdae (Hongik University) area, the home of clubs in Korea. It was opened by professional musicians in February 2003 as a venue that focuses on music performances as opposed to dance. The club has state-of-the-art stage, lighting, and audio equipment and is one of the best places in the area to enjoy performances by your favorite music professionals as well as see some of the up-and-coming talent. The club can house over 150 visitors (seats and standing room) and hosts 3-4 live performances each night. The Geek Live House is a lively place to experience the Korean independent band music scene and the club culture of the Hongdae (Hongik University) area.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Insa Art Space was established by the government to support artists who are experiencing financial difficulties. Opened on May 26th, 2000, the total exhibit maintenance fee is provided by the government. It is recognized as one of the more successful national art support policies. Mostly experimental and progressive artwork are exhibited here to activate the art. Curators research the present state of the art circles. Also various open exhibit projects are held to find new talented artists. The newly chosen artists for the events can exhibit their work here free of charge for two weeks. These events are held to help poor artists who cannot start their careers. You can visit without doubting the sincerity of the exhibited artwork. The displayed works are valued for their quality only. Annually 2~3 internal exhibitions and international exhibitions are held, and symposiums and “dialogues with artists” are also often held. Currently there is one curator and two assistant curators. Insa Art Space is a great place for travelers who want to have long day tours. Most galleries close between 5pm and 6pm, but Insa Art Space is open till 7pm or 8pm. It is also located in the traditional Korean street, Insadong, so there are plenty of things to do and see while visiting this gallery.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Achasan (alt. 287m) stretches from Seoul to Guri City and is an extremely popular hiking spot for residents of Seoul and Guri City and the surrounding area. Towards the top of the mountain (about 40 minutes into the climb) a panoramic view of the Han River and Seoul unfolds at the mountain base.During the Joseon Dynasty, what are now Bonghwa and Yongmabong Peak and the Manguri Cemetery were considered part of Achasan Mountain. Twenty bastions were discovered along Achasan Mountain that were originally estimated to date back to the Three Kingdoms Era. Further research indicated that some of the remains were actually part of a military fortress built during the Goguryeo Era. In light of these findings, it was officially designated a Historic Site No. 455 (2004).


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

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


Seoul(Seocho-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

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. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Sungkok Art Museum is an art gallery built by the Korean corporation Ssangyong to promote Korean art. To help talented writers there is an individual exhibit. For the development of art culture in Korea, there is a planning exhibit, and finally there is an international exhibit that enables the public to keep in touch with the flow of foreign art as well. They hold more than 15 exhibits a year. The art gallery building can be roughly divided into two. The main building that holds the exhibition, and the annex building that harbors many diverse facilities. In the sculpture park there are about 100 kinds of trees that are decades old, which form a forest. Together with the sculptures the forest itself also plays a role as an art piece. Inside the forest a wood path exists. If you slowly follow this path you can soak in all of the sculpture park. Here you can the view the sculptures of famous artists from Korea and abroad in harmony with nature. If you want to buy practical craftwork for a mid-low price, there is an art shop inside the main building. You may encounter the Seonggok Museum’s own products, as well as high quality artwork by famous artists. These are the kind of products that make you happy even though they are small. After viewing the museum, if you want to rest for a while, try visiting the teahouse. At Seonggok Museum’s teahouse you will be able to enjoy the sculpture park’s four seasons with a delightful cup of tea. In the spring time the fresh and green scent of nature, in the summer, the vivid life of the forest, in fall, the forest’s brilliant change of color, and in the winter, you will be able to see the world covered in white. Outside the building there are terraces and outdoor tables awaiting you. Perhaps you might want to relax there inhaling the fresh air, and contemplate your trip and your life. The teahouse offers green tea, tea, citron tea, coffee and cookies. The citron tea and the sweet cookies with walnuts inside are made personally by the director herself, and they are the house specialty; so you may want to try them.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

The Children’s Museum located within the National Museum of Korea is an experience-centered museum where children can see, touch, and feel history through hands-on programs and games. Items are in a permanent display and allow children to learn more about Korea’s cultural heritage in an interactive way.


Seoul(Seocho-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The K Art Hall (Formerly, Seoul Center of Education and Culture) is located in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu district. The natural surroundings are beautiful, and the air is very clean. The center has one basement floor, and eleven floors above ground. Its main facilities include the main theater, which can provide for an audience of 1,000, the Culture Center, Art Exhibit, Education Promotion Center, and the Sports Center. Outside the building are the Grass Square, Sculpture Park and Drive-in Theater. The main theater can hold a variety of performances such as plays, dances, movies, operas, musicals, and others. There are frequently performances for children as well. At times, the theater is used as an international stage, as in the case of the Russian Leningrad Ballet company’s performance in 1991. The Culture Center has guest quarters and convention halls, and so is often used for conferences. The Sports Center has an indoor gymnasium, a swimming pool, health and aerobics rooms, a bowling alley, and a golf practice range. The facilities here are used primarily as a resting area. One unusual facility is the outdoor Drive-in Theater. Called “Karma 21,” the theater can accommodate a total of 250,000 cars. Each car is charged 15,000 won a ticket. Usually the latest releases are shown here. The theater is located in “Yangjae People’s Grove” Park, which boasts a very clean environment. It is the perfect spot to relax while enjoying a movie in the fresh air.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

The Bukchon Museum Old Fragrance displays items that have been collected from Bukchon, a historical village that was once home to the nation’s nobility. For hundreds of years, treasured items in each household were passed down from generation to generation, but since Korea’s rapid development in the second half of the 20th century many of these became obsolete. Opened in 2003, the Bukchon Museum Old Fragrance seeks to preserve artifacts and present them in a cozy, homey environment where visitors can get a sense of how each object was used in daily life. The museum is full of household articles that were absolutely essential parts of life in the past, such as ‘maetdol’ (millstones used for grinding beans or mung beans), ‘jangdok’ (crocks for soy sauce or red pepper paste), and ‘yogang’ (Korean chamber pots that were kept in rooms and used as urinals at night). Visitors are even allowed to touch items on display to better be able to imagine life in Korea before industrialization.From Samcheong-dong (near Gyeongbokgung Palace) to Wonseo-dong (near Biwon, a royal garden in Changdeokgung Palace), Bukchon is an area well-known for its hanok houses (traditional Korean houses). Thanks to the complex structure of hanok, collectors were able to unearth a wide range of articles hidden in storage rooms, under floorboards, and in attics.Visitors to the museum with 10-15 people in their party may participate in programs that allow them to make old-fashioned toys or take part in making ssukgaetteok (rice cake made using mugwort).Near the Bukchon Museum Old Fragrance there are many colorful attractions worth visiting: the Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheong Park, The Owl Museum, ToyKino Museum, the World Jewelry Museum, and the National Palace Museum of Korea, as well as royal palaces such as Gyeongbokgung Palace.