Specialty Art Museums, Seoul    

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Bank of Korean Monetary Museum 
Located in Myeong-dong close to the Central Post Office, the Bank of Korea Museum displays currency and other documents of not only Korea, but also other countries around the world. The building where the museum is located was built during the Japanese colonial rule and is one of the few remaining examples of Japanese architecture in Seoul. Over and above learning about the history of Korea's currencies and that of other countries, it offers visitors a chance to learn to differentiate real currency from counterfeits. There's even a money testing machine that visitors can try.  Admission is free. Open from 10 to 5, Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays. Getting there: Take Subway line 4 to Heohyeon Station (Stop 425) and go out Exit 7. Tel: 02-759-4881

Calligraphy Art Museum  
The Seoul Calligraphy Museum's collections of written Korean and Chinese calligraphy, ancient and contemporary calligraphy works as well as peculiar calligraphy pictures, is on display in ten exhibition halls and corridors located on two different levels all year round. Hours: 11:00 to 19:00 (Fall/Winter) and 11:00 to 20:00 (Spring/Summer).  Information on exhibitions available in English (basic details only).  The museum, part of the Seoul Arts Center, is located in Seochu-dong accross the Pampo Bridge from Itaewon. Directions: Drive accross Pampo Bridge and keep going straight to the end of the road. The Seoul Arts Center is right in front of you. Turn left and then make an immediate right to get into the parking lot. Or take the Subway to Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Line 3 (stop 341). Go out exit 4 /5 and walk about 15-20 minutes or take a taxi.  Taking the bus is another option: Shuttle bus No. 12 or regular bus No. 4429.  Korean: 예술의전당 / Pronounced: Ye Sool Ui Jun Dang. Tel: 02-580-1300 /1134.

Chicken Art Museum 
Located in Bukchon, the Seoul Museum of Chicken Art is a private museum that exhibits artwork related to chicken. Hours 10:00-18:00. Closed Mondays. Admission W3,000 Adults/W2,000 Children. Tel: 02-763-9995. Directions: Subway line 3, Anguk Station, Stop 328, Exit #2. Take village bus #2 and get off at Ahnkookzen. The museum is a 5-6 minute walk from the subway station.

Gugak Museum features  permanent installations and special exhibions related to tradition Korean music history. The museum consists of the Main Hall, and six other exhibition rooms, including Musical Instrument Exhibition, Masters Exhibition, and the History of Traditional Music Room, among others. Hours: 9:00~18:00, Closed on Mondays and New Year's day. Tel: 02-580-3130. Directions: Take a taxi from Bangbae Station on Subway Line 2 (stop 225) exit 1 or from Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line 3 (stop 341) exit 5. Shuttle service operates from Nambu Subway when there are performance. At exit 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal take the #12 bus (the bus stop is right in front of the station) - Get off at Guklip Gugakwon (NCKTPA).

Hangaram Design Museum 
The Design Museum has two main galleries and one collection gallery to introduce various aspects of design cultures from in and out of the country, under the motto of seeking "Korean design identity". Hours: 11:00 to 19:00 (Fall/Winter) and 11:00 to 20:00 (Spring/Summer). Information on exhibitions available in English (basic details only).  The museum, part of the Seoul Arts Center, is located in Seochu-dong accross the Pampo Bridge from Itaewon. Directions: Drive accross Pampo Bridge and keep going straight to the end of the road. The Seoul Arts Center is right in front of you. Turn left and then make an immediate right to get into the parking lot. Or take the Subway to Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Line 3 (stop 341). Go out exit 4 /5 and walk about 15-20 minutes or take a taxi.  Taking the bus is another option: Shuttle bus No. 12 or regular bus No. 4429.  Korean: 예술의전당 / Pronounced: Ye Sool Ui Jun Dang. Tel: 02-580-1300 /1134

The Museum of Korean Buddhist Art
The Buddhist Art Museum is located in the cultural Mecca of Korea near Changdeokgang Palace or Seoul central. This unique museum was created in 1993 with the purpose of displaying life’s most important events as defined spiritually. Korea has a cultural grounding in spiritual knowledge.  Therefore, an attempt to preserve its cultural heritage through religious wellbeing and teachings has been attempted. Among the six thousand works of awe-inspiring art, you will discover such things as paintings, crafts, ritual memorabilia, sculptures, fork items and ceramics. To highlight just a few you will find a set of copper balls dating back to the José on dynasty, an alluring painting of the nine grades of the pure land of Amithabha, and a scarlet and gold dipped votive shrine of Ksitigarbha. Apart from the museum itself, you will find a Buddhist temple entitled, “Anyangam” located in Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu. The structure consists of seven rooms showcasing stone-cared Avalokitesvara, a number of Buddhist paintings as well a wood carved Amitabha Triad.
National Folk Museum http://www.nfm.go.kr/index.nfm    located in Gyongbbokgung Palace, is Korea’s leading institution dedicated to the preserving the legacy of traditional Korean life - serves an educational and cultural role, providing  opportunities to experience first-hand how Koreans lived in traditional times.

World Jewellery Museum
This private museum is located in Hwadong, central Seoul near Anguk Subway Station (Line 3) Exit 1. Open Tuesday through Sunday 11AM to 5PM. Admission: W5000 Adults/W3000. Tel: 730-1610. This is a private musuem displaying jewellery and other items collected by the owner as she travelled the world with her diplomat spouse. The Museum also holds special exhibitions. The website has information in English, French, Chinese, Japanese as well as Korean. Directions: Go out exit #1 of Anguk Subway Station, Line 3, Stop 328, and walk straight into the alley beside Pumgmun Girl's high School. Or you can walk in the direction of Jeongdok Public Library going straight through the alley next to the entrance of the library. Turn left at Coffee Factory. The museum is located on your right.  


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Photo: The Museum of Korean Buddhist Art