Why the National Museum of Korea Should Top Every Seoul Itinerary

[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] If you only have time for one museum in Seoul, make it the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관). Tucked beside the sprawling Yongsan Family Park in the heart of the capital, this serene, low-slung complex—its reflecting pools and graceful roofs echoing the palaces of old—holds the finest single collection of Korean art and artifacts anywhere on earth.

Why it belongs on every itinerary

Six permanent galleries trace the arc of Korean civilization from the Paleolithic to the present day, displaying some 12,000 objects in a layout that feels almost cinematic. You walk through time: past the delicate comb-pattern pottery of the Neolithic, the radiant gold crowns of Silla, the celestial blue-and-white porcelains of Joseon, and on into the turbulent 20th century. There are thoughtful digital galleries, a dedicated children’s museum with hands-on exhibits, and a rotating special-exhibition hall that rivals anything in London or New York.

Afterward, step outside. The museum’s gardens—mirror-still ponds, a traditional pavilion, and a gentle waterfall—offer one of Seoul’s loveliest urban escapes. On a clear day, the water perfectly reflects the museum’s copper-colored roof and the sky beyond, creating the kind of photograph that makes friends back home immediately book flights.

Exterior view of the National Museum of Korea(Image courtesy of VISIT KOREA)

Practical details

1. Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

2. Phone: +82-2-2077-9000

3. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Mondays); Wednesdays and Saturdays until 9 p.m. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.

4. Admission: Permanent collection free; special exhibitions may carry a separate fee.

5. A few insider tips

- Follow the chronological route suggested at the entrance; the story unfolds beautifully.

- The outdoor garden is especially magical at dusk when the lights come on.

- Traveling with children? The Children’s Museum and its workshops are a godsend on rainy afternoons.

The ten-story marble pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple, on display in the “Path to History” permanent exhibition(Image courtesy of the National Museum of Korea)

Highlight of the permanent collection: Path to History

Among the treasures, don’t miss the ten-story marble pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple (National Treasure No. 86), a masterpiece of Goryeo-era stone carving that somehow survived centuries of war and upheaval.

Current special exhibition: Tour of National Treasures—A Journey Shared by All

Running through December 7, 2025, this moving show brings together masterpieces rarely seen outside their home regions—glittering gold crowns, intricate silver belt ornaments, and inlaid celadon vessels—under the theme of a shared national heritage. It’s a rare chance to see Korea’s greatest hits in one place.

In a city that sometimes feels obsessed with the new, the National Museum of Korea is a quiet, profound reminder of just how deep the roots go. Come for an hour, stay for four. You’ll leave understanding the country—and its people—a little better than when you arrived.

Poster for the special exhibition “Tour of National Treasures: A 180-Day Journey Shared by All”(Image courtesy of the National Museum of Korea)

Oh Ha Eun medi·K TEAM press@themedik.kr

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K-Culture & Travel

Why the National Museum of Korea Should Top Every Seoul Itinerary

If you only have time for one museum in Seoul, make it the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관). Tucked beside the sprawling Yongsan Family Park in the heart of the capital, this serene, low-slung complex—its reflecting pools and graceful roofs echoing the palaces of old—holds the finest single collection of Korean art and artifacts anywhere on earth.Why it belongs on every itinerarySix permanent galleries trace the arc of Korean civilization from the Paleolithic to the present day, displaying some 12,000 objects in a layout that feels almost cinematic. You walk through time: past the d