GANGNAM

Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사)

Located north of COEX, this temple was constructed in the 10th year of Silla King Weongsong's reign (794) and refurbished by Queen Jeonghyeon in 1498.

Seonjeongneung (선정릉)

The royal tombs of King Seongjong (9th king of the Joseon Dynasty), Queen Jeonghyeon (second wife of King Seongjong) and King Jungjong (sone of the two). Seonjeongneung was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009.

YONGSAN

National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

Flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and the cultural organisation that represents Korea. The museum houses a collection of over 420,000 artefacts from ancient times to the modern era in a wide range of topics, including art and culture.

War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

Exhibits and preserves materials related to the Korean War (1950-1953) and serves as a memorial to the military history of Korea. It was established in 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs.

JUNG-GU & JONGNO

Seodaemun Prison History Hall (서대문형무소역사관)

Built under the Japanese administration to Imprison independence movement activists in 1908. Today, it serves to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Heunginjimun Gate (흥인지문)

Designated Treasure no.1, the gate was originally built in 1396 to protect historically housed important government facilities. Newly built in 1869, Heunginjimun is known for its exquisite architecture with a spectacular sight at night.

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

Registered as Historic Site no.124, the palace is the smallest of Seoul's last remaining five palaces. Originally built as a royal villa in the 15th century, the name Deoksugung means "Palace of virtue and longevity" in the spirit of praying for a long life for Emperor Gojong.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (익선동한옥거리)

First established in the 1920s, this village offers a unique mix of modern and traditional elements. Traveling through narrow alleyways, visitors can discover hanoks (traditional Korean house) that have been beautifully rehabilitated and turned to cafes, restaurants and boutiques.

Insa-dong Cultural Street (인사동문화의거리)

An area with old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side, offering galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses and cafes.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사)

The temple is the centre of Korean Buddhism, working as the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul. It was built in the late 14th century and was rebuilt in 1910 after being completely destroyed in a fire.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

Originally built in 1395, the gate is the southern and main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. After going through several damages and restorations under the Japanese administration and the Korean War (1950-1953), Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form in 2010.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Built in 1395, the palace was the first and largest of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. After efforts to rebuild and restore the buildings that were destroyed during the Japanese occupation, Gyeongbokgung palace is commonly known as the most beautiful of all five palaces.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

Houses exhibitions that span modern Korean history, from he first opening of Korea to outsiders in the late 19th century, to today. Opened in 2012, the museum is the country's first national museum of contemporary history.

National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관)

Located inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, the museum presents historical artifacts that were used int he daily lives of Korean people in the past. Through the displays, visitors can learn about the domestica and agricultural lifestyles, as well as Korea's cultural beliefs.

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

Opened in 2002 within the Gyeongguigung Palace site, the three story building covers all of Seoul's history and culture from the prehistoric era to modern times, focusing especially on the Joseon era.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌 한옥마을)

Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, this village is home to hundreds of hanoks (traditional Korean house) that date back to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897). Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centres, guesthouses, restaurants and teahouses.

Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁)

The palace was built as the second royal villa following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405, as is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. Changdeokgung was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

OTHER REGIONS

Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Korea Furniture Museum (한국가구박물관)

Unique museum that focuses only on traditional wooden furniture, boasting a collection of more than 2,500 pieces of traditional Korean furniture. The pieces are displayed in ten beautiful hanoks (traditional Korean house) to show visitors how these pieces would have been used in daily life.

Reservation only