2 Best Sights in Side Trips from Seoul, South Korea

For 40 years, what is now COSMO 40 was one of Korea's largest chemical factories. After the company moved to a new facility in Ulsan in 2016, however, the abandoned plant was transformed into an award-winning cultural complex, complete with hip cafes, eateries and bars, market spaces, halls for exhibitions and performances, and even the occasional skateboarding competition. The complex fully embraces its past, preserving the original factory space as much as possible, supplemented by newer additions which is fitting, as it gives the place the edgier, industrial look favored by urban cool crowd worldwide.

Art lovers should check out this sprawling complex of colonial-era brick warehouses in Old Incheon that now serves as a cultural complex with exhibition spaces, performing venues, and studios. Its artists-in-residency program ensures there's always something new and exciting to ponder.