National Museum of Korea
국립중앙박물관
Korea's largest museum. Permanent exhibits are free, and the 'Room of Contemplation' with two National Treasure gilt-bronze Pensive Bodhisattva figures is the most popular gallery.
The National Museum of Korea sits in Yongsan Family Park. It moved to its current site in 2005 and is South Korea's largest museum, with about 400,000 objects. Permanent exhibits are free and organized by period and theme, from prehistory, ancient kingdoms, Goryeo and Joseon to Buddhist sculpture and ceramics. On the second floor, the 'Room of Contemplation' is a minimalist, dark space that displays just two National Treasure gilt-bronze Pensive Bodhisattva figures in half-lotus pose, making it the most popular gallery. At the end of the main hall stands the ten-story stone pagoda from Gyeongcheon Temple, about 13.5 meters tall. Special exhibitions charge admission. Opening hours are 10:00–18:00 (until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays), and the museum is closed on New Year's Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok. It is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Ichon Station (Subway Line 4 or Gyeongui-Jungang Line). Plan at least half a day.
Opening hours
10:00–18:00 (Wed and Sat until 21:00); permanent exhibition free
Nearby sights
- War Memorial of Korea
- Itaewon
- Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain
- Leeum Museum of Art
- N Seoul Tower
- Seoullo 7017
- Namdaemun Market
- Sungnyemun (Namdaemun)