Explore Seoul: A Visit to the National Museum of Korea

Seoul might not be the ideal city for travel with its lack of standout attractions, but the National Museum of Korea is a notable exception. It's a worthwhile visit, offering free entry and no need for reservations. While most exhibits are in Korean, you can use your phone to translate the descriptions. Plan to spend 3-5 hours here as there's a lot to see, and you might end up walking over 10,000 steps inside. The museum is vast, with numerous galleries. Its interior design features ivory-colored marble, and sunlight streams through skylights. Although it claims to showcase 5,000 years of Korean history, some artifacts lack date information. Initially, you might underestimate the exhibits, but as you explore further, you'll find many fascinating items. On the first floor, you'll find artifacts from the Goryeo, Baekje, and Three Kingdoms periods, which are quite similar to ancient Chinese artifacts. Noteworthy are the extravagant gold ornaments, including the 5th-century Silla gold crown and belt, and two 7th-century gilt-bronze statues. The second and third floors feature Buddhist sculptures, metalworks, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings from various countries, showcasing a wide range of exhibits. The museum also has a gift shop with a wide variety of items, though prices are slightly higher than in China. However, the fridge magnets could be better. Some descriptions, like the one claiming the Joseon Dynasty was the world's longest-lasting dynasty, might raise eyebrows. Overall, if you're in Seoul, this museum is highly recommended as there aren't many attractions in the city. #Seoul #SeoulTravel #NationalMuseumofKorea