Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

The Daelim Museum, founded by the Daelim Group, was first established in Daejeon in 1996 and later moved to Jongno, Seoul in 2002. The art gallery studies, analyzes, and presents modern art through the lens of photography and holds exhibitions centered around photo media.The museum is located in the residential area of Tongui-dong, near the time-honored Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum, which was designed by French architect, Vincent Cornu, and built by the Daelim Corporation, opened its door to the public in late May, 2002.On the first floor, there is a garden, parking lot, reception desk, storage area, and conference room. On the second and third floor are offices and a 180-pyeong (approx. 595m²) exhibition hall consisting of small and large rooms, a long gallery, and a special high-ceilinged exhibition space. On the fourth floor, there is a seminar room that can seat up to 120 guests and a balcony with a beautiful view. From the balcony of the seminar room, you may enjoy a wide open view of Inwangsan Mt. and Bukhansan Mt. The stained glass panels (designed to reflect the beauty of Korean traditional cloth) and the scenic lounges on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building add to the overall charm.Above all else, the museum was designed with consideration of the photos, which are very sensitive to humidity, light, and temperature.


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

Of the 4 Great Gates (Sukjeongmun, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, and Seodaemun), established by the Emperor of 1396, Sukjeongmun is called the north gate.Located to the north of Seoul, this gate, with Gyeongbokgung Palace in the center and Changaemun (Jahamun) to the right, make up the wings of the north gate. Due to the possible danger of the area being damaged from all the pedestrians, the Emperor of 1413 planted pine trees and prohibited passing this area. Henceforth, Sukjeongmun became a scenic walkway until the North Korean Communist infiltration of 1968, which prohibited the passing of all civilians.The reopening of Sukjeongmun in April of 2006 has led to the opening of Bukak Mountain in April of 2007 and is in the process of dividing it into 3 courses. Bukak Mountain has been kept well-preserved due to a long period of restriction in this area, and if you climb the mountain, you will be able to see all of Seoul in one breath. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

As part of the Creation of Living Palaces project, the Changdeokgung Palace Moonlight Tour offers a unique opportunity to witness and experience palatial beauty. The tour begins from the main gate, Donhwamun Gate (돈화문), and continues on for approximately two hours through Injeongjeon Hall (인정전), Nakseonjae (낙선재), and Huwon (후원, meaning "secret garden"). To make a reservation, visit the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation website. Reservations are accepted from 20 days before the event.Initially built as a royal villa, Changdeokgung Palace became the central governance compound during the Joseon Dynasty after the former principal palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, was burned to the ground during the Japanese invasion in the 16th century. In addition to its political significance, the palace is known for its aesthetics and architecture, set against breathtaking natural scenery. In 1997, UNESCO designated Changdeokgung Palace as a World Cultural Heritage site.


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Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

Ramada Hotel & Suite Seoul Namdaemun is a first class international business hotel in Korea with impeccable service, installed with the latest facilities and a wide range of suite rooms for guests to choose from. Comprising 331 rooms decorated with style and class, this hotel offers 25% of total guest rooms in the form of a suite room, the highest density of suites for a single hotel in Korea. Standard rooms are also spacious for added comfort, around 6.6sqm, larger than most of its counterparts in five star hotels. There are four types of guest rooms including Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite and King Suite.The overall interior of the hotel is designed to accommodate the resort-in-city theme of the hotel, to offer a space of rejuvenation for its guests. Guests visiting the Ramada Hotel & Suite Seoul Namdaemun may feel like walking into an oasis in the middle of the desert. The artistically decorated lobby and mini outdoor parks found intermittently around the hotel, resemble an exotic resort area, all designed to provide comfortable break for the guests. The hotel garden is arranged to create a beautiful scenery any time of the year and there is a large water fountain in front of the hotel to add a refreshing touch to this oasis inside the city.Tourist attractions including Deoksugung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces are cultural heritages where the tradition of Korea can be felt first hand. The national museum and art galleries, theaters for performance arts are also close by for foreign tourists to experience the Korean culture and enjoy various performance.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

A once in a lifetime opportunity to learn the secrets to preparing royal Korean court food is currently being offered through Korea’s National Palace Museum. Inside the walls of the Gyeongbokgung Palace garden, this unique cooking class offers hands-on preparation of traditional dishes, a privilege allowed only to the highest ranked servants called “suragan choigo sanggung.” This three-month intensive program held each Friday, and lasting for an hour and a half, offers participants a step-by-step introduction into the culinary world of Joseon royalty (1392-1910). This traditional Korean culinary course covers twelve different types of royal court dishes that were offered up to the king. Renowned for using the freshest and the most valuable ingredients from all over the country, the menu will delight modern palettes as well. Spots should be reserved online prior to the beginning of the first class. This course is taught in Korean, however non-Korean speakers are welcome to request the help of a guide made available by the palace museum upon reservation. The enrollment fee covers ingredients ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won per dish, due monthly. Expect the total to amount to 50,000 to 60,000 won. Prepared by chefs of the highest caliber, the mistress presiding over the royal kitchen or “choigo sanggung,” used only the most rare and valuable ingredients from across Korea. Each recipe was kept secret, made available only to the top chef of the royal kitchen or “suragan.” An expert in court food instructs the Royal Court Food Cooking Experience at the National Palace Museum of Korea, presenting over 50 different dishes once enjoyed by the kings of Joseon.


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

Get off the subway at Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3), follow the wall of the Gyeongbokgung Palace and you'll find yourself facing a street with majestic trees whose foliage changes every season. This street leads directly to Samcheong-dong. As you enter Samcheong-dong and walk towards the Samchong-dong Tunnel, you'll come across Samcheongdong Sujebi, located right next to the Prime Minister Legation.Samcheongdong Sujebi became a hit among Japanese tourists, after being featured in a popular Japanese magazine. The main dish here is, of course, sujebi (a traditional Korean soup consisting of chunks of dough and various vegetables). It comes in a pot full of sliced pumpkin, clams, and potatoes. This delicious soup is so tasty that there's almost always people lined up outside the restaurant. Other popular items include dongdongju (traditional Korean liquor) and gamjajeon (a Korean potato pancake that uses only potato starch and no other ingredients). 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

With over 600 years of history, Yoo’s Family is situated inside Bukchon Hanok Village, between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo. The region resonates with a traditional atmosphere as the cozy venue sits nestled amongst traditional Korean houses and in the middle of Seoul's two main palaces.Yoo’s Family is a Hanok family managed by Yoos, offering traditional culture experiences for foreigners interested in Korean living cultures and traditions. Most classes are short-term courses and reservations can be made up to one day in advance. Reservations are only available for groups of 2 or more. For groups of 10 or more, you may even customize a timing to hold the classes. Translation in English and Japanese are available for all courses as well.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Hanbok Museum is located across the street from Gyeongbokgung Palace main entrance ticketing booth. For this reason, it makes sense for anyone who has just completed looking around the palace to drop by this place as well to get a look at the traditional Korean clothes, if time permits. The museum only opens on the first and the third Saturday of every month, so make sure you plan your trip accordingly. The Hankbok Museum is not just a museum highlighting traditional Korean clothing, but rather it boasts all the events and the rituals people go through from birth to death, and what proper clothing they have to wear to suit their respective occasions. All hanbok displayed at the museum are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja herself, made with care and great attention to detail. All together there are roughly 300 varieties on display, and some are practical enough to be worn for daily living now. Besides hanbok, there are also ornaments and other small articles on display. You will fall in love with many of the beautiful ornaments you see. Once you have visited Gyeongbokgung Palace and Hanbok Museum, try visiting Gwanghwa-mun or Insa-dong. At Gwanghwa-mun, you can enjoy different kinds of modern Korean cultural activities, and at Insa-dong, you can experience traditional Korean art and culture.


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

Designated as Historical Site No. 201, Taereung Gangneung is comprised of two tombs. Taereung Royal Tomb (태릉) houses the burial mound of Queen Munjeong who was the second queen of King Jungjong, the 11th King of the Joseon Dynasty, and Gangneung Royal Tomb (강릉) houses the burial mounds of King Myeongjong, the 13th King of Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Insunwanghu. King Myeongjong ascended the throne after his elder brother, King Injong when he was twelve years old at Geunjeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1545. The king’s mother, Queen Munjeong ruled behind the scenes, acting as guardian for eight years. Taereung Royal Tomb has become a popular site after the TV show ‘Munjeong Wanghu’ was aired.Nearby attractions include Taereung Pureun Dongsan, Korea Military Academy and others.* Neungchim area around the burial mound- Open hours: March-June, September-November / Every Saturday-Sunday: 10:00, 14:00- Must be accompanied by staff


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

Boasting over 600 years of history, The Bukchon Cultural Center is situated inside the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village, a narrow series of roads between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo.The Bukchon Cultural Center immerses visitors in a traditional Korean atmosphere as it is centered between two of Seoul’s main royal palaces. A traditional experience hall and hanok-style restaurant were recently built inside the complex, presenting a more enjoyable experience for all visitors.The Bukchon Cultural Center is a traditional Korean-style building called Hanok Gaok and not only provides a genuine traditional Korean atmosphere, but also offers cultural programs that educate visitors on Korea’s history and traditions. Classes are also available with lectures lead by specialists covering a host of topics, and special extended lecture programs that last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Registration can be made over the phone after selecting the lecture of your choice. However, be aware that all classes are conducted in Korean only, so you may need to bring a guide or someone who will be able to translate for you.