Time Off

Seoul is the centre of South Korea, site of the 1988 Olympics, and one of the ten largest cities in the world. Its name is well-chosen, meaning ‘the centre of everything'- and the city lives up to its description. About twenty-five percent of the nation's people live there; nearly half of all the students in the country study there; the arts, both ancient and modern, are amply represented. A visitor with time to spare might visit the Kyongbokkung Palace, relic of Korea's vanished monarchy, or the Sejong Cultural Center, and all visitors should visit the modern city, a thriving, industrial metropolis.

Seoul Attractions

Kyongbokkung Palace
Within walking distance of City Hall and Insa-dong, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 732 1931

Kyongbokkung Palace is the most massive, magnificent palace in Seoul and was once the home of the first royal family of the Choson Dynasty. Kyongbokkung, also known as the Palace of Shining Happiness, is surrounded by a beautiful, cultural environment that includes wonderful ponds and ancient stone pagodas.


Seoul Tower
Namsan Park Yongsan 2 ga-dong, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 775 6222

Enjoy an amazing view of Seoul from the magnificent landmark that soars above densely clustered pine trees on the summit of Namdan located in Namsan Park. The tower is bursting with tourist fun including the Aquarium, Ocean Life Museum, a rotating restaurant providing one with a panoramic view of the city, and a huge game room.


The National Museum of Korea
1 Sejong-ro, Chongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 732 7110

Within the Kyongbokkung Palace, the museum of international standard contains more than 1,000,000 significant, historic items portraying the struggles, triumphs, traditions, and spirituality of Korean history. The dates range from Prehistoric Korea to the Chosun Dynasty. The museum is the center for preserving and creating the Korean cultural heritage.


Sejong Cultural Center
Sejong-ro Street Kwang Hwa Moun, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 399 1615

In the heart of Seoul one can enjoy the fine arts on an international level by visiting one of the top 10 performing arts centers in the world, the Sejong Cultural Center. The facility is not only home to the performing arts, but displays movies, exhibitions, and international conventions.


Chongdong Theater
Cheongdong , Chung-Ku, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 773 8960

To experience the Korean traditional performing arts one must visit the Chongdong Theater, which focuses on the re-discovery and development of these arts. The performers and the productions will take one to the essence of Korean culture.


Korean Folk Village
107, Pora-ra, Kihung-up Yongin-shi, Kyonggi-do, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 742 6029

The Korean Folk Village, set in the environment of nature and occupying approximately 243 acres, is an open-air folk museum for the public to learn and enjoy traditional Korean culture.


The National Theatre
Eastern slope of Mt Namsan , Subway: Line3: Tongdaemun Station, Seoul, Free shuttle services available before performances
Tel: +82 2 274 1151

With world-class quality sound and light productions the crowd will be moved by the productions of the traditional performing arts of Korea. One can experience the national ballet, drama, and traditional Korean music and opera companies at this theatre complex with a variety of performing spaces.


Moga Buddhist Museum
Seoul
Tel: +82 2 337 859952

The museum displays art depicting the fascinating Buddhist culture in Korea. A variety of mediums are exhibited including woodwork, calligraphy and paintings. For a look into the traditional spirituality of Korea one must not pass up the Moga Buddhist Museum situated in the peaceful surroundings of a beautiful garden.


The National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts
Nambu Ring Road Seochodong, Seocho-Ku, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 580 3036

The National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts is an organisation which began more than 1400 years ago. It's forerunners can be traced back to Umsongso in the reign of Queen Chindok, the kingdom of Shilla.


National Museum of Contemporary Art
Seoul Grand Park, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 503 7744

The museum containing nine indoor exhibition halls and an outdoor sculpture garden is famous for its unique design. The beautiful designed structure contains both Korean and International works representing various forms of contemporary art within the internal galleries which are connected by a spiraling ramp way.


Seoul Arts Center
700 Seoucho-dong Seocho-ku, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 580 1881

The Music Hall and Calligraphy Hall were opened in 1988 in time for the Seoul Olympics. Two years later, in 1990, the Art Gallery and Arts Library came into service before the Seoul Opera House and the Seoul Arts Center became fully operational in 1993. With creative performing and visual arts programs, each space was filled with quality cultural product and highly praised by numerous artists and art-lovers.