ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

1.6Km 2025-06-05

3, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4850

ARKO Art Center was founded in 1974 as Misulhoegwan in a building of former Deoksu Hospital in Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu to offer much-needed exhibition space for artists and arts groups. In 1979, Misulhoegwan moved to its present building, designed by preeminent Korean architect Kim Swoo-geun (1931-1986) and located in Marronnier Park, the former site of Seoul National University. The two neighboring brick buildings accommodating ARKO Art Center and ARKO Arts Theater are the major landmarks of the district of Daehakro.
As more public and private museums and commercial galleries came into the art scene in the 1990s, Misulhoegwan shifted to curating and presenting its own exhibitions. Renamed as Marronnier Art Center in 2002, ARKO Art Center assumed a full-fledged art museum system and played an increasingly prominent role as a public arts organization leading the contemporary art paradigm. When The Korea Culture and Arts Foundation was reborn as Arts Council Korea, Marronnier Art Center became ARKO Art Center named after the abbreviation for Arts Council Korea in 2005.
ARKO Art Center is committed to working as a platform where research, production, exhibitions and the exchange of creative activities grow and develop in connection with one another in addition to having a diversity of programs including thematic exhibitions addressing social agenda and public programs widely promoting various discourses in art.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

1.7Km 2025-06-30

266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2262-0114

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most well-known markets. It was founded in December 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia and has maintained that status for the last 40 years. Browsing the plethora of shops, you can find fabric and clothing following all the latest global fashion trends. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex continues to build up its reputation as a hub of international design.

Sejong Village Food Street (세종마을 음식문화거리)

1.7Km 2025-06-17

Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Previously known as Geumcheongyo Market, it was officially named Sejong Village Food Street in 2011, as King Sejong was born in this village. The street is full of lively energy and features both long-standing restaurants, also known as nopo in Korean, and recently established trendy eateries. Its convenient location and inviting atmosphere make it a popular place to visit.

Gallery Simon (갤러리 시몬)

1.7Km 2022-09-15

20, Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-3031

Since its opening in April, 1994, Gallery Simon has continued to focus on promoting the beauty of modern art. Exhibitions include works from experienced artists as well as the works of budding artists, both from Korea and abroad. Select artists, referred to collectively as "Simon's Friends," have exhibitions annually. The changing collections allow the museum and featured artists to constantly strive for improvement and follow the changes in art over time.

Ground Seesaw Seochon (그라운드시소 서촌)

1.7Km 2023-01-17

18-8, Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ground Seesaw is a cultural complex located in Seochon, Jongno presented by Media & Art, an exhibition production company, and designed by SoA, an architecture firm, and Loci Studio, a landscaping studio. Visitors are able to check out a variety of exhibits at Ground Seesaw Seochon.

Seochon Village (서촌마을)

1.7Km 2024-12-02

45 Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Nuha-dong)

Seochon Village is the name given to the area to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is a historic village, home to old shops and hanok buildings that have stood the test of time. Korean traditions and contemporary sensibilities coexist within Seochon Village’s maze-like alleyways, creating the unique ambience that makes the district so beloved. One can find shops, guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants in the village.

Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street (청계천헌책방거리)

1.7Km 2023-12-22

20 Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Walking east along Cheonggyecheon Stream, which flows near Sewoon Plaza, you will see a cluster of small bookstores. Books published 30 to 50 years ago, and various out-of-date magazines are piled up in about ten bookstores. You can indirectly experience the old culture and history that formed the basis of K-content, and sometimes you can also find foreign books. Nearby is Dongdaemun Market, a wholesale market selling various subsidiary materials, and Pyounghwa Market (open from night to early morning), where you can browse clothing fabrics, which are excellent places to visit together.

Jeongdong Guksi (정동국시)

1.7Km 2024-06-19

5 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
02-732-0114

Jeongdong Guksi features a rich soup with a clean taste, created by carefully removing the oil dozens of times while boiling Korean beef bones for 15 hours. The restaurant uses this same beef bone broth in their mandutguk (dumpling soup), something not many restaurants do. The rich flavor of the broth combined with the soft dumplings, made in-house daily, is a must-try. The restaurant is also surrounded by many cultural and artistic spaces, making it a great addition to tours in the area.

Nolboo Bossam & Budaejjigae Euljiro6ga(놀부보쌈&부대찌개 을지로6가)

1.7Km 2024-10-15

2F, 34, Euljiro43-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2264-1669

This is a Korean cuisine located in Dongdaemun Gate, Seoul. One of Korea’s representative restaurant franchises. The best menu at this restaurant is napa wraps with pork.

Marronnier Park (마로니에공원)

1.7Km 2021-07-14

104, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4158

Marronnier Park was given its name due to the marronnier trees, or horse chestnut trees, growing within the area. The location where Seoul National University's College of Liberal Arts & Science and School of Law once stood, it is now a park dedicated to culture and arts open to the public. In addition to a variety of outdoor performances that take place throughout the area, exhibitions and cultural centers create a romantic atmosphere unique to the park.

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관) - Area information - Korea travel information