Osulloc - National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오설록 현대미술관) - Area information - Korea travel information

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul] (국립현대미술관 서울관)

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul] (국립현대미술관 서울관)

2.1Km    2023-06-23

30, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-9500

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) opened in 2013 as a city venue of the MMCA, which opened in 1986 in Gwacheon. The museum site was where many of Korea’s historical and political developments were achieved, both during the Joseon dynasty and after the Korean War. The Seoul venue of MMCA stands out from other museums through its use of Korea’s traditional architectural concept of "madang," a spacious courtyard where people can come and gather to socialize. The exterior of the building stands in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Inside, the museum is equipped with many facilities, including a reference center, project gallery theater, and multipurpose hall. MMCA Seoul strives to accommodate every mode of new artistic endeavor and to communicate with the public.

Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산)

Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산)

2.1Km    2024-03-04

San 2-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-2834

Inwangsan Mountain is a rocky mountain located to the northwestern side of Seoul. It stands 338m tall.  The Seoul City Wall is built along its ridge, connecting to the Baegak Mountain Trail. From the summit, one can see the three mountains of Naksan Mountain, Namsan Mountain, and the Bugaksan Mountain surrounding the historical center of Hanyang, the historical name for Seoul in Joseon period, with the Gyeongbokgung Palace at the center. There are five hiking trails, all taking about two hours to complete. It takes about three hours if you want to visit all the peaks of the mountain.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.1Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Donghwa Kim's Hotel (동화킴스관광호텔)

Donghwa Kim's Hotel (동화킴스관광호텔)

2.1Km    2021-01-19

136, Pyeongchangmunhwa-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-379-0520

Donghwa Kim's Hotel, located in Jongno-gu, Pyeongchang-dong, was designed to give the impression of a mountain cabin while combining Korean and modern architectural elements, resulting in a structure of notable artistic taste. The four-story hotel has 51 comfortable guestrooms, a banquet hall, a coffee shop, a Western restaurant, and a Korean restaurant. The hotel offers a wide-open view of the neighboring Bugaksan Mountain.

Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

2.1Km    2022-10-26

24-1, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-2430

The Africa Museum of Art was established with the purpose of hosting various art festivals and providing the grounds for researching various art themes. A major principle of the gallery is to promote works of art that actively attempt to explore the human mind.

The Hanok Smith Likes (스미스가 좋아하는 한옥)

The Hanok Smith Likes (스미스가 좋아하는 한옥)

2.1Km    2024-03-11

22-7 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-7003

The Hanok Smith Likes is a restaurant located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, housed in a renovated hanok. It offers a fusion of Korea's traditional beauty with Italian cuisine. Specializing in oven-baked pizza and pasta, it also features a variety of Italian dishes. The oven-baked pizzas are particularly popular, known for their chewy crusts and generous toppings. In 2023, it was selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

2.1Km    2022-12-14

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

2.2Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-360-8590

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Roomin Bukchon[Korea Quality] / 루민북촌[한국관광 품질인증]

Roomin Bukchon[Korea Quality] / 루민북촌[한국관광 품질인증]

2.2Km    2024-01-19

13-12 , Bukchon-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-8098-4497

Located in Gahoe-dong, Seoul, Roomin Bukchon is a private hanok accommodation in a residential area near Bukchon Hanok Village. It is 23.14㎡ in size, so it is not very spacious, but it is sufficient to accommodate two people. It is equipped with a Balmuda toaster, an induction cooktop, a bathroom with a shower, and a bedroom with a beam projector to ensure that there are no conveniences. Guests are also provided with aromatherapy amenities and drip coffee bags from a popular cafe nearby, as well as access to a washing machine. You will find major tourist attractions nearby, including the Palace, Insa-dong, and Hanok Village.