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Kansong Art Museum

ArtHistoryOpening hours not listedFrom £5000Hansung University Station (Seoul Subway Line 4, Exit 6)

Founded as Bohwagak in 1938 by collector Jeon Hyeong-pil (pen name Kansong), this was Korea's first private art museum, built by pioneering modern architect Park Gil-ryong to safeguard national treasures from Japanese colonial-era looting — including a celadon vase bought for the price of 20 tiled houses and the Hunminjeongeum manuscript. Run today by the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation, the museum still opens to the public only for two ticketed exhibitions a year, each drawing on its collection of twelve National Treasures and dozens of Treasures spanning Goryeo celadon, Joseon painting and calligraphy, and Buddhist sculpture.

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Plan Your Visit

Getting there

102-11 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Nearest station: Hansung University Station (Seoul Subway Line 4, Exit 6)

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Hours

Open to the public only during two annual exhibition periods: a spring show (late April-early May) and an autumn show (late September-early October), each running roughly 6-8 weeks. During an exhibition the museum opens Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays, by advance online reservation only via kansong.org. Outside these exhibition windows the museum is closed to visitors. As of 24 September 2026 no autumn 2026 exhibition dates had been announced yet.

Admission

From £5000

Youth/child (7-18) 3,000 KRW; free or discounted for under-7s, over-65s, registered disabled visitors and national merit recipients with ID. Admission became ticketed from the October 2024 exhibition onward; each biannual show is booked and priced separately online.

Nearby

Arario Museum in Space

Architecture24 min walk

National Folk Museum of Korea

ChildrenFree25 min walk

Art Sonje Center

Design25 min walk

MMCA Seoul

Art26 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Kansong Art Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to Kansong Art Museum is £5000. Youth/child (7-18) 3,000 KRW; free or discounted for under-7s, over-65s, registered disabled visitors and national merit recipients with ID. Admission became ticketed from the October 2024 exhibition onward; each biannual show is booked and priced separately online.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Kansong Art Museum?
Kansong Art Museum is open Open to the public only during two annual exhibition periods: a spring show (late April-early May) and an autumn show (late September-early October), each running roughly 6-8 weeks. During an exhibition the museum opens Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays, by advance online reservation only via kansong.org. Outside these exhibition windows the museum is closed to visitors. As of 24 September 2026 no autumn 2026 exhibition dates had been announced yet.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Kansong Art Museum?
Kansong Art Museum is located at 102-11 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, in the Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu area of Seoul. The nearest station is Hansung University Station (Seoul Subway Line 4, Exit 6).
What can I see at Kansong Art Museum?
Korea's first private museum, opened only twice a year to reveal its hoard of national treasures Current highlights include Sangseo (Box Inscriptions).
Do I need to book Kansong Art Museum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Kansong Art Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
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