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An arts tour in Samcheong-dong, where art becomes part of everyday life

Samcheong-dong Street, Which runs along the stone wall east of Gyeongbokgung Palace to Bukchon Hanok Village, is a neighborhood where you can naturally encounter art by simply walking down the street. The large and small galleries, museums, and street murals make the street itself feel like a work of art

Anguk Station, the starting point of the Samcheong-dong Arts Tour

The ideal starting point towards Samcheong-dong is Anguk Station on Subsway Line 3. This area, which connects Insa-dong, Ikseon-dong, and Samcheong-dong, is a well-known area where cultural and artstic resources have converged since ancient times. As soon as you leave the station, the complex atmosphere of the city center soon gives way to serene alleyways, foreshadowing that today's journey will be a "silent art trip."

Songhyeon Green Plaza, where the city becomes an exhibition

Songhyeon Green Plaza is a space where you can feel the atmosphere of Samcheong-dong instantly. This long-restricted space re-opened its doors to citizens in 2022 as a vibrant cultural square where creativity and culture live and breathe, and today it is where nature, history, and art come together.

The entire square is transformed into an exhibition hall every two years for the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale. Whilst walking freely between the exhibition structures, the direction in which the city and its architecture need to take becomes naturally apparent. Another charm of this exhibition is that you can enjoy it at your own pace without a set route.

Tip. Korean and English docent programs are available during the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale.

SEOUL BIENNALE OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM 

 48-9, Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
 September 26 (Fri) - November 18 (Tue), 2025

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), preserving Korean aesthetics

Originally a royal space, it was used as a school for about 70 years before being reborn as Korea's first craft museum. Across a total of three exhibition halls, you can revisit Korea's craft history of each period through various exhibitions and experiences. There are many exhibitions that emphasize materials, craftsmanship, and the aesthetics of everyday life rather than glamour, so the more you look around, the more the depth of Korean craft is conveyed. From year-round exhibitions to special exhibitions, there is something to see for everyone, even visitors who are new to art.

Tip. Free docent programs in Korean and English are available

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (Click)

 4, Yolgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
 Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Fridays until 9:00 PM)

Seoul Hiking Tourism Center (Bugaksan), a hanok lounge for everyone

Located on Samcheong-dong Cultural Street, the Bukaksan branch of the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center provides hiking tourism information and equipment for rent, but anyone can freely visit the Hanok Lounge on the second floor and relax.

Normally, it's a nice cozy place to have a nice cup of tea while listening to music, but special programs to experience many different forms of cultural arts were held here during the "ARTS IN SEOUL" art tour including tradtitonal Korean music performances, musical instrument experiences, and Bojagi craft workshops. The experience of encountering art in an everyday environment directly reflects the charm of the neighborhood of Samcheong-dong. Experience the moment when art naturally becomes a part of your daily life alongside the view of Bugaksan Mountain visible from the windows.

Rather than being  obvious and glamorous, the art of Samcheong-dong has quietly merged with the space, alleys, and people's movements. It's not a trip to simply 'see' an exhibition, but a trip where you can encounter art as you walk around. If you want to get artstic inspiration in Seoul, why not spend a day in Samcheong-dong?

 Seoul Hiking Tourism Center (Bugaksan) (Click)

 88, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 1 / 2 F
Closed on Tuesdays. Open Wednesday - Monday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.