Namsangol Hanok Village: free entry, five relocated hanok, a time capsule due in 2394
Downtown Seoul has a hanok village that costs nothing to enter. Five Joseon-era houses moved from around the city, a pond and pavilion, and a time capsule set to open on Nov. 29, 2394 all sit in one place. This weekend also brings the last free taekwondo shows.
A hanok village with no ticket booth
It sits on the northern foot of Namsan, at 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil in Jung-gu. The Seoul Tourism Organization describes it as a place where five Joseon-era hanok from different parts of Seoul were moved and rebuilt. Admission is free.
The houses open Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00–21:00 from April to October, 09:00–20:00 from November to March, closed Mondays. The traditional garden is open 24 hours.
Every house has its own name tag
The five houses go by the neighborhood they came from and the person who lived there: the Yun family house from Okin-dong, Yun Taeyeong's shrine house from Jegi-dong, the Min family house from Gwanhun-dong, Chief Officer Kim Chunyeong's house from Samcheong-dong and Chief Carpenter Lee Seungeop's house from Samgak-dong.
Some courtyards keep a row of crocks in a corner. The layouts differ slightly, which makes walking all five a small treasure hunt.
Across the pond, and into 2394
In front of the Cheonwugak pavilion lies the square Cheonghakji pond with a small round island in the middle. The garden recreates the old Namsan valley, so trees and a stream share the view.
Inside the village is the time capsule buried on Nov. 29, 1994 to mark Seoul's 600th anniversary. About 600 items sit 15 m underground, and the planned opening date is Nov. 29, 2394.
This weekend, with high kicks
Seoul Namsangol Traditional Music Hall opened in 2007 as Korea's first venue built for traditional music performance, so gugak shows are part of the village.
Oct. 17–18 is the final weekend of the free Seoul Taekwondo Performance held at the village.
Before you go
Chungmuro Station (Lines 3 and 4), Exit 4, is about 307 m away. Foreign-language interpretation is available; for commentary inquiries call 02-2133-6269.
From April to October the houses are open 09:00–21:00, closed Mondays, so you can stop in during the day or in the evening.
PLACE INFO
LOCATION
Source Seoul Tourism Organization · Namsangol Hanok Village Checked 2026.10.17 15:10
Sources & context
2026-10-17T05:29:53.510Z
Seoul Tourism Organization · Namsangol Hanok Village ↗Seoul Metropolitan Government culture site · Namsangol Hanok Village visitor information (updated Aug. 20, 2026) ↗Seoul Metropolitan Government · Strolling through tradition, Namsangol Hanok Village (July 14, 2021) ↗Seoul Culture Portal · 2026 Seoul Taekwondo Performance schedule ↗Wikimedia Commons · Namsangol Hanok Village 040 (Mobius6, CC BY 4.0) ↗Wikimedia Commons · Namsangol Hanok Village 016 (Mobius6, CC BY 4.0) ↗Wikimedia Commons · Namsangol Hanok Village 006 (Mobius6, CC BY 4.0) ↗Wikimedia Commons · Namsangol Hanok Village 072 (Mobius6, CC BY 4.0) ↗Photo credit
Mobius6 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0Hanok roofs and crocks at Namsangol Hanok Village (April 2024). Mobius6 / CC BY 4.0. Wikimedia 1920px rendition.
Photo credit
Mobius6 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0Inside a hanok room with woven baskets, a wooden chest and shelves (which house is not stated; April 2024). Mobius6 / CC BY 4.0.
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Mobius6 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0A pond with a small pine-covered island inside the village (April 2024; the file does not name the pond). Mobius6 / CC BY 4.0.
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Mobius6 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 4.0The gate under the 'Seoul Namsan Gugakdang' signboard (April 2024). Mobius6 / CC BY 4.0.