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A unique museum where you can see and hear traditional culture.
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운현궁, 雲峴宮
A museum in the former palace of a Joseon Dynasty archduke Heungseon, who was the father of the second last king of Joseon. It has several mannequins depicting the costumes of the yangban or noble class during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace buildings themselves represent the style of the Joseon noble class' mansion well.
창덕궁, 昌德宮
Second only to Gyeongbokgung in historical importance, it was built in 1405 and was the seat of power between 1618 and 1896. The buildings have been restored to create a dazzling but still elegant effect that got the palace listed as a . The site is better preserved than Gyeongbokgung. Buildings of particular note include the blue-roofed Seonjeongjeon, which was the King's office, and the Daejojeon ("Great Making Hall"), his bedchamber, but perhaps most famous of all is the Huwon ("Secret Garden") in the back. Access to the garden is by guided tour only, except on Thursdays when only self-guided tours are available in summer from April to August. English tours are only offered at 10:30 and 14:30 and last around 60 minutes with a walking distance of about 2.5 km, including some steps and incline for the Huwon portion (the grounds are wheelchair-accessible for most parts but may have to enter certain areas in a reverse direction from the group). Trivia: The building structure is not symmetrical and has a more natural-oriented arrangement than the Gyeongbokgung. You may find some Western influences in some buildings which were introduced during the late 1800s, such as a chandelier and the elevated pathway for the automobile.
Learn to make authentic Korean dishes in English or Japanese from Korean chefs. O'ngo Food Communications offers classes to make bulgogi and kimchi, Korean barbecue, and Vegan Temple Cuisine. You get a tour of a traditional Korean Market after the classes to see Korean ingredients and people.
종묘, 宗廟
The royal ancestral temple during the Joseon Dynasty, this is where the kings would perform sacrificial rituals in honor of their ancestors. Certainly, the most famous shrine devoted to the royal family members of Korean dynasties. The grounds are a bit more walker-friendly than some of the palaces, admission is cheaper, and they also have some interactive equipment available to learn about the rituals and ceremonies used to treat deceased royal family members, but the interior of the shrine buildings is off-limits to the public. The Jongmyo Shrine is a . The Jongmyo Jerye (종묘제례) ceremony, which is still led by the head of the former royal family, is held here on the first Sunday of May every year, during which there will be traditional Korean performances as part of the ceremony, and the only time when the public can view (but not enter) the interior of the shrine buildings. English guided tours at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00.
서울 공예 박물관
The Seoul Craft Museum can experience the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of crafts by studying and sharing not only crafts but also knowledge, records, people, and the environment surrounding crafts.
창경궁, 昌慶宮
It was built in 1104 as a summer palace for the Kings of the Goryeo Dynasty and became one of the main palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was used as a temporary home for the King during the time Gyeongbuk Palace was being built. Unlike other palaces that have a North-South orientation, Changgyeong Palace faces East-West. Also, this palace is known for connecting to Jongmyo Shrine, a holy place for the Joseon Dynasty, where sacrificial rites are practiced for previous kings and queens. Sadly, the buildings were largely demolished during the Japanese occupation (1910—1945). The name was changed to Changgyeongwon (literally Changgyeong park), and the site was used as a zoo. Restoration began during the 1980s, and the zoo was moved to Gwacheon, which is now Seoul Grand Park.