7 Best Sights in Itaewon and Yongsan-gu, Seoul

For anyone who wants to become better acquainted with Korea's unique history, culture, or arts the National Museum is the museum to visit. The sixth largest in the world, any of the 13,000 works of art permanently on display could stand impressively on its own. By following the chronologically arranged path, visitors get a sense of not only the depth and beauty of Korean culture, but also how it evolved over the centuries. In addition to the expansive permanent collection, the museum hosts impressive special exhibitions as well.  For those wanting more information about the works and periods of Korean history, the museum offers "smart curators" (digital tablets that offer audio explanations and more) and guided tours in English for groups.

Both traditional and hyper-modern art is the focus at this museum, which showcases one topic or artist at a time. Past exhibitions have highlighted abstract expressionist Mary Corse, sculptor Lee Bul, and graphic artist William Kentridge. Located in Yongsan's striking Amorepacific Headquarters designed by architect David Chipperfield, the museum first began with the private collection of the conglomerate’s CEO, Suh Sungwhan. Also on the premises is a library called apLAP containing 10,000 catalogs of exhibitions from all over the world, plus a gift shop and a number of cafes and restaurants.

Operated by the Samsung Foundation of Culture, the Leeum Museum is named after Lee Byung-chul, the conglomerate’s founder. With the stated goal of becoming a museum where “we ponder the future based on our understanding of the past and present,” Leeum has two main sections, one devoted to traditional Korean art and another devoted to contemporary, international artists like Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, and Donald Judd. The buildings, designed by Mario Botta and Jean Nouvel respectively, are both architectural marvels. Also on the premises are a cafe, gift shop, and an education and culture center for children.

One of the most recognizable landmarks of Seoul, the N Seoul Tower is a 777-foot tower that opened to the public in 1980. Also known as Namsan Tower for its location atop Namsan mountain, the cultural complex can be reached by bus or via a relatively easy hike up the mountain. The Tower includes a French restaurant called n.Grill that rotates, an observatory with panoramic views of the city on the 4th and 5th floors, and a few cafes and souvenir shops. Highlights of the space include a site for "love" locks (padlocks placed here by couples for good luck) in the outdoor space surrounding the Tower, signs on the observatory glass that point you toward cities across the world, and two digital telescopes that allow you to zoom in at 36 times strength.

Seoul's largest park once anchored the southern end of the city. As Seoul grew southward, however, it soon became the city's most central park. Encompassing Namsan mountain and the surrounding area, Namsan Park is crisscrossed with rubberized walking trails and full of trees, wildflowers, and—in the warmer months—swarms of pedestrians. Still, it is worth a visit to see some of the greenery and sites such as the old Fortress Wall, the botanical gardens, and the Seoul Science Center. The highlight is definitely N Seoul Tower, a needle-like tower with excellent night views of the entire city.

Located on the National Museum of Korea grounds, the National Hangeul Museum opened in 2014 with the aim of promoting the Korean language, often thought to be the country’s most prized cultural asset. The museum’s permanent exhibition is devoted to the Hunminjeongeum, a document drawn up by King Sejong in 1446 detailing the script for the language. Past special exhibitions at the museum have covered everything from calligraphy to women’s songs. Although it may seem a bit dry, the museum has many visual and interactive elements to keep visitors interested. Explanatory text is generally available in English and Korean. Guided tours of the museum take place on Wednesday at 2 pm and 3 pm. 

Of the sixteen mosques in South Korea, the Seoul Central Mosque is also the only mosque in the capital and the best-known in the country. Built in 1976, the mosque is home to the Korean Muslim Federation and is a great resource for Islamic living in Korea. In addition to the unique architecture of the building, which is visible from a distance, visitors who venture inside will see the mosque's several rooms for worship, prayers, and meetings. There are official prayer services held throughout the week. The Mosque is open to visitors, but visitors must wear ready-made coverings available in the lobby and refrain from taking photos inside the prayer room.