For anyone interested in exploring Korean history and culture in Seoul, the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan is one of the best places to visit. The museum presents artifacts and artworks spanning prehistoric times, ancient kingdoms, the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, and the Korean Empire.
Visitors can also see traditional paintings, Buddhist art, ceramics, metalwork, donated collections, and cultural treasures from different parts of the world. Admission to the permanent exhibition halls is free, and the museum offers extended evening hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The museum complex also includes the Mirror Pond, landscaped gardens, outdoor stone monuments, restaurants, cafés, and a museum shop. Because the building and collections are extensive, planning a route before arrival can help visitors avoid missing the exhibits they most want to see.
The Children’s Museum requires a separate reservation, while admission fees and booking methods for temporary exhibitions vary. Below is a practical guide to opening hours, admission, exhibitions, recommended routes, transportation, and parking.

1. Opening Hours and Admission Fees

The National Museum of Korea is generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the museum stays open until 9:00 p.m., making these days convenient for evening visits.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Last admission: 30 minutes before closing
Outdoor exhibition areas and gardens: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Telephone: 02-2077-9000

Free Admission to the Permanent Exhibitions

The museum’s permanent exhibition areas are free to enter. These include the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Donation Gallery, Room of Quiet Contemplation, Sculpture and Crafts Gallery, and World Art Gallery.

Visitors do not need to purchase a ticket for the permanent exhibitions. After passing through the security screening area, they can enter the galleries directly.

The Children’s Museum is also free, but advance online booking is required for a specific time slot. Some temporary exhibitions charge an admission fee, and prices may vary for adults, teenagers, and children.

Closing Days and Gallery Maintenance

Full museum closing days: January 1, Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok Day
Scheduled gallery closure dates: September 7 and December 7
Areas affected: Permanent exhibition halls and Temporary Exhibition Halls 1 and 2
Outdoor exhibition area: Remains open on scheduled gallery closure dates

Individual galleries may also close temporarily for exhibition renovation, artifact replacement, maintenance, or construction. Visitors hoping to see a specific artifact should check the latest museum notices before departure.

🔗 Check Museum Opening Hours and Closing Days

2. Floor Guide and Must-See Exhibition Spaces

The permanent exhibition area is arranged across three floors and contains seven major galleries with dozens of exhibition rooms. Displays may change regularly because of conservation work, loans, and collection rotation.

First Floor: Prehistory, Ancient History and Early Modern Korea

Visitors who want to understand Korean history in chronological order should begin on the first floor. The Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery introduces the Korean Peninsula from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods through the Bronze Age, Gojoseon, Goguryeo, Baekje, Gaya, Silla, and Balhae.

The Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery continues through the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties and the Korean Empire. Exhibits include documents and objects connected to royal culture, politics, government administration, and everyday society.

Second Floor: Calligraphy, Painting, Donations and the Room of Quiet Contemplation

The second floor features Korean paintings, calligraphy, donated cultural objects, and one of the museum’s most popular spaces—the Room of Quiet Contemplation.

This gallery displays two Korean National Treasure pensive bodhisattva statues in a calm, softly lit environment. The lighting, architecture, and viewing route are designed to encourage visitors to slow down and appreciate the sculptures quietly.

The room may become crowded on weekends. Visiting in the morning or later in the afternoon usually offers a more relaxed experience.

Third Floor: Sculpture, Crafts and World Art

The third floor presents Goryeo celadon, Joseon white porcelain, buncheong ware, Buddhist sculpture, metalwork, and cultural artifacts from China, Japan, Central Asia, India, Southeast Asia, and other regions.

Visitors interested in Korean ceramics can follow the galleries from the Celadon Gallery to the Buncheong Ware and White Porcelain Gallery. Viewing Korean objects alongside those from neighboring regions also helps explain how religions, techniques, and artistic styles moved across Asia.

Temporary Gallery Closures

Several galleries may temporarily close for renovation or exhibition changes. These can include the Buddhist Sculpture Gallery, Metal Crafts Gallery, Buddhist Painting Gallery, Lacquer and Wood Crafts Gallery, and selected calligraphy and painting spaces.

Other areas, including parts of the Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, the Celadon Gallery, and the Buncheong Ware and White Porcelain Gallery, may remain open. Renovation schedules can change, so visitors whose main interest is Buddhist art or traditional crafts should check the latest closure notice.

3. Temporary Exhibitions and Recommended Routes

Permanent exhibitions are free, while some temporary exhibitions require a separate ticket. Tickets may be available from the on-site ticket desk or through an official online booking platform.

Popular exhibitions may be especially crowded on weekends. Visitors who prefer a quieter experience should consider weekday mornings or the extended evening opening on Wednesdays.

Our Dining Tables

This exhibition explores how people have eaten, shared meals, and arranged dining spaces throughout Korean history. Approximately 420 objects and records are presented, including bowls and vessels excavated from the Tomb of King Muryeong.

Adults: 5,000 won
Children and teenagers: 3,000 won
Location: Temporary Exhibition Hall 2
Tickets: Available through designated booking platforms or on site

Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art

This exhibition introduces Thai history and art from prehistoric times to the modern era through sculpture, painting, crafts, and religious objects. The collection includes works provided by several national institutions in Thailand.

Adults: 8,000 won
Teenagers: 6,000 won
Children: 4,000 won
Location: Temporary Exhibition Hall 1

Temporary exhibition schedules, ticket prices, and admission conditions may change. The final weekend of an exhibition can be particularly crowded, so advance booking is recommended when available.

🔗 Check Current Exhibitions and Ticket Information

Recommended Two-Hour Route

See the major artifacts in the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery on the first floor
Walk through the central Path to History
Visit the Room of Quiet Contemplation on the second floor
Explore the Celadon and White Porcelain galleries on the third floor

Recommended Half-Day Route

Explore the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery
Continue through the Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery
Visit the Room of Quiet Contemplation and Donation Gallery
Take a meal or coffee break inside the museum
See the Korean ceramics and World Art galleries
Visit one temporary exhibition
Walk around the Mirror Pond and outdoor stone monument garden

Rather than trying to rush through every gallery in one visit, it is often better to choose a theme. First-time visitors interested in Korean history should focus on the first floor, while visitors who prefer art and crafts may spend more time on the second and third floors.

4. Children’s Museum, Visitor Facilities and Museum Rules

How to Book the Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum is an interactive space mainly designed for children between the ages of five and nine. Admission is free, but visitors must make an online reservation for a specific session.

Operating hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Operating format: Five sessions per day
Session length: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
Admission: Free
Entry: Mobile reservation ticket required

The Children’s Museum may temporarily close during exhibition renovations. Individual reservations generally open a set number of days before the visit date, and weekend or school holiday sessions can fill quickly.

Families planning a visit should check the reservation opening time and temporary closure notices before making travel arrangements.

🔗 Check Children’s Museum Hours and Reservations

Restaurants and Visitor Facilities

The museum offers restaurants, cafés, a museum shop, lockers, nursing rooms, and a first-aid room. Wheelchairs and strollers may also be available for loan, although quantities are limited and may run out on busy days.

Store large backpacks and school bags in the lockers on the first floor
Food and drinks are not allowed inside exhibition galleries
Pets are not allowed, except for certified assistance dogs
Flash photography, tripods, selfie sticks, and gimbals are prohibited
Commercial photography requires prior permission
All visitors must pass through a security and bag check

Personal photography is generally permitted, but visitors should not approach exhibits too closely or block gallery pathways. Mobile phones should be placed on silent or vibration mode.

5. Subway Access, Parking and Q&A

Getting There by Subway

The most convenient station is Ichon Station, served by Seoul Subway Line 4 and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line. Follow the signs toward Exit 2 and enter the underground Museum Pathway.

Station: Ichon Station
Subway lines: Line 4 and Gyeongui–Jungang Line
Direction: Follow signs toward Exit 2 and the Museum Pathway
Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Museum Pathway is an underground pedestrian passage equipped with moving walkways. It connects the station area to the museum’s west entrance and is convenient during rain, snow, or hot weather.

Visitors should follow the Museum Pathway signs inside the station instead of exiting directly onto the street.

Parking Facilities and Fees

Standard passenger car fee: 1,000 won for the first hour
Additional fee: 500 won per 10 minutes
Maximum daily fee: 30,000 won
Parking hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Indoor visitor parking: Approximately 522 spaces on Basement Level 1

Parking discounts may be available for compact cars, environmentally friendly vehicles, families with multiple children, pregnant visitors, and other eligible groups. Supporting documents or registered vehicle information may be required.

On weekends and public holidays, drivers may wait more than an hour to enter the parking lot. Weekdays can also be crowded during school holidays, so public transportation is strongly recommended.

Drivers can save time by paying at the parking payment machines before returning to their vehicles.

🔗 Check Parking Locations and Discount Conditions

National Museum of Korea Q&A

Q1. Do I need a reservation to visit the National Museum of Korea?

Individual visitors do not need a reservation for the permanent exhibition halls. Admission is free after the security screening. However, the Children’s Museum requires an online reservation, and advance booking is recommended for paid temporary exhibitions.

Q2. How much time is needed to see the museum?

Visitors can see the most famous objects in about two hours. A relaxed visit covering the main permanent galleries and the Room of Quiet Contemplation usually takes three to four hours. Including a temporary exhibition, meal break, and outdoor garden may require half a day or more.

Q3. Can I bring food or drinks into the exhibition halls?

Food and drinks cannot be consumed inside the exhibition galleries. Visitors should keep them inside a bag and use the restaurants, cafés, or designated rest areas. Open drinks should be finished or disposed of before entering a gallery.

Conclusion

The National Museum of Korea is one of Seoul’s most important cultural attractions, presenting Korean history from prehistoric times to the modern era alongside traditional art and cultural treasures from around the world.

Admission to the permanent exhibitions is free, and extended hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays make the museum accessible to both daytime and evening visitors.

First-time visitors can begin with the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery on the first floor, continue to the Room of Quiet Contemplation on the second floor, and finish with the ceramics galleries on the third floor.

Visitors with additional time can also enjoy a temporary exhibition, the Mirror Pond, and the outdoor stone monument garden. Because some galleries and the Children’s Museum may close temporarily for renovation, checking the latest official notice before arrival is recommended.

Parking can be heavily congested on weekends, so using Ichon Station and the underground Museum Pathway is usually the easiest way to visit.

행:Hang

National Museum of Korea in Seoul: Opening Hours, Admission, Parking & Exhibitions