국립중앙박물관
The National Museum of Korea is the country’s flagship museum, covering Korean history from the Paleolithic to the Korean Empire under one roof. Its permanent exhibition halls hold 9,884 objects across 7 galleries, and anyone can enter free to see the two pensive bodhisattva statues, both National Treasures.
7.1%Share of foreign travellers in Seoul who visited here — 2025 Seoul Tourism Survey (foreign visitors), places visited, multiple answers allowed
Free
Buy at the gate — no booking needed.
The National Museum of Korea moved several times before it had a building of its own. In the 1960s it was in Seokjojeon at Deoksugung, and in the 1970s in the National Folk Museum building. In the 1980s it moved to the former Japanese Government-General building, and in the 2000s to the National Palace Museum building. In 2005 it moved to its current building in Yongsan.
The permanent exhibition hall has 3 floors. The 1st floor holds the Prehistory and Ancient History galleries, from the Paleolithic to the Northern and Southern States period, and the Medieval and Early Modern History galleries for Goryeo, Joseon and the Korean Empire. The 2nd floor has the Calligraphy and Painting galleries, the Donation galleries and the Room of Quiet Contemplation; the 3rd floor has the Sculpture and Crafts galleries and the World Culture galleries, covering China, Japan, Central Asia and more. Exhibits are rotated regularly for conservation, and the stone pagodas and stone monuments in the outdoor garden can be seen from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137
Lot no. · 서울특별시 용산구 용산동6가 168-6
