What are the daily operating hours of the National Museum of Korea during the 2026 summer vacation period?

During the 2026 summer vacation, the museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the hours are extended from 9 AM to 9 PM. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

How much were the adult admission fees for the 'Amazing Thailand' and 'Our Dining Table' special exhibitions held at the National Museum of Korea?

The adult admission fee for the 'Amazing Thailand' special exhibition was ~$6, and for the 'Our Dining Table' special exhibition, it was ~$3 for adults. A combined ticket to see both exhibitions was ~$7 for adults, which was ~$2 cheaper than purchasing individual tickets.

Were there any ways to get a discount for the 'Amazing Thailand' special exhibition, and were there any souvenirs available after the visit?

If you wore a colorful T-shirt matching the 'Thailand's Color of the Day' dress code, you could receive a 10% discount after verification by staff. After completing your visit, you could stamp a blank card to complete an 'Amazing Thailand' postcard.

How are parking fees calculated when visiting the National Museum of Korea, and were the bag check regulations different for Special Exhibition Hall 1 ('Amazing Thailand') and Special Exhibition Hall 2 ('Our Dining Table')?

For passenger cars, the parking fee is ~$1 for the first 60 minutes, with an additional ~$0 for every 10 minutes thereafter, up to a daily maximum of ~$21. Special Exhibition Hall 1 did not have bag checks, but the building housing Special Exhibition Hall 2 required bag checks upon entry, and beverages or snacks were not permitted, requiring the use of lockers.

National Museum of Korea 2026: Amazing Thailand & Visitor…

The National Museum of Korea, affectionately known as 'NMK,' is an absolute must-visit! I recently had the chance to explore its wonders, and let me tell you, it lives up to its hype.

Having visited countless regional museums across Korea, I realized I hadn't truly explored the famous museums right here in Seoul. Following last year's immense popularity, I was keen to experience NMK myself. Even on a weekday, the museum was bustling with visitors, a testament to its enduring appeal.

National Museum of Korea

137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Summer 2026 Operating Hours

Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM

Wed/Sat 09:00 AM ~ 09:00 PM

*Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Visitors are guided towards exits starting 10 minutes before closing.

Getting There & Parking

Subway

Ichon Station (Line 4), Exit 2

Bus

Routes 400, 502

Car

From Itaewon: Turn right towards Yongsan Family Park before entering Banpo Bridge -> Drive about 0.2 miles straight from the Yongsan Family Park entrance

From Gangnam: Turn left towards Yongsan Family Park at the first intersection (Hangang Middle School intersection) on Banpo Bridge -> Drive about 0.2 miles straight from the Yongsan Family Park entrance

From Samgakji: Turn right towards Yongsan Station (Line 1) -> Turn left about 0.1 miles towards Yongsan Family Park from Ichon Station

The National Museum of Korea is conveniently connected to Ichon Station (Subway Line 4) via an underground passage from Exit 2.

After taking the escalator up, it's about a 5-minute walk to the museum entrance. While there is a parking lot, I highly recommend using public transportation if possible.

Driving in Seoul can be quite stressful, especially on weekends. You might find yourself frustrated with the heavy traffic and parking queues before you even start exploring.

The museum's large parking area allows access to the Yongsan Children's Garden parking lot.

Parking fees for passenger cars (15 seats or less) are ~$1 for the first 60 minutes, then ~$0 for every additional 10 minutes, with a daily maximum of ~$21.

Admission to the National Museum of Korea's permanent exhibitions is free. However, special exhibitions have their own ticket prices.

From June 23 to September 6, 2026, the 'Amazing Thailand' special exhibition was running, and from July 1 to October 25, 2026, visitors could enjoy 'Our Dining Table.'

The museum is incredibly vast, making it practically impossible to see everything in a single day.

My recommended route for NMK is to start your exploration on the 3rd floor. The 1st floor tends to be the most crowded.

On the 2nd floor, you'll find the 'Room of Quiet Contemplation'! This darkened space exclusively showcases two National Treasure Pensive Bodhisattvas. It's often considered the 'face' of NMK and a must-see for any visitor.

If you only have an hour or two, I suggest focusing on these three highlights: the Room of Quiet Contemplation, the Silla Gold Crown exhibit, and the Gyeongcheonsa Ten-story Pagoda.

For my first visit, I skipped the permanent exhibits entirely and only booked tickets for the two special exhibitions. These are often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and exploring just two can easily take over two hours, leaving your legs tired! The permanent collections, after all, will always be there for a future visit.

Special Exhibition Ticket Prices

The 'Amazing Thailand' exhibition costs ~$6 for adults, ~$4 for teenagers, and ~$3 for children.

'Our Dining Table' exhibition tickets are ~$3 for adults, ~$2 for teenagers, and ~$2 for children. A combined ticket for both exhibitions is ~$7 for adults, offering a savings of ~$3.

Here's a fun tip for visiting 'Amazing Thailand': wear a brightly colored t-shirt! If you match the 'Color of the Day for Thailand's Dress Code,' you can get a 10% discount after verification by staff. Fridays' sky blue/blue is usually an easy one to match!

Don't try to do too much; seeing just the two special exhibitions is a fulfilling experience on its own.

NMK Bag Check & Storage

'Amazing Thailand' is located in Special Exhibition Hall 1, while 'Our Dining Table' is in Special Exhibition Hall 2, in the opposite building.

I've visited Thailand three times just last year because I love it so much. This year, with higher exchange rates and fuel costs, I've had to choose alternative travel destinations, so I came here to satisfy my longing for Thailand!

Special Exhibition Hall 1 does not require a bag check or X-ray scan. I brought a small tote bag, and there were no restrictions, so I carried it with me. Seeing others with backpacks, it seems only exceptionally large bags might need to be stored.

The permanent exhibition halls and Special Exhibition Hall 2 (in the opposite building) do have bag checks upon entry. Small bags and water bottles are usually allowed, but beverages other than water or snacks are prohibited, so you'll need to use the lockers provided.

Who knew the history of Thailand could be so captivating? I used to have zero interest, but after traveling there frequently, seeing things firsthand, and meeting locals, I've naturally grown fascinated by its history.

The exhibition beautifully explains Thailand's origins and the rise of its civilizations in an easy-to-understand way. You'll find an hour flies by as you slowly take it all in.

When you walk through Bangkok, you'll see prayer sites everywhere. Locals purchase flowers and light candles to pray day and night, a clear reflection of the deep-rooted Buddhist culture in the country.

I even saw videos of the Ayutthaya historical sites, which I had visited recently!

Ayutthaya was a flourishing civilization for over 400 years. However, its kingdom declined after wars with Myanmar (then known as Burma). The Thai people eventually regrouped, rebuilt their nation, and carried on Ayutthaya's political, cultural, and artistic traditions.

The bell-shaped stupas are called 'Chedi,' while the rounder stupa on the right is known as a 'Prang.'

If you visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, a must-do for any trip, you'll see countless Chedis!

'Wat' means temple in Thai, so make sure to explore Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Wat Phra Kaeo – they're absolutely essential for experiencing Thai culture.

Towards the end of the exhibition, you can enjoy a video played on a massive display screen. Take a moment to sit down and watch it for about 3 minutes – it was genuinely moving (though I didn't actually cry!).

When you enter, you're given a blank card. After exploring the exhibition, you can stamp it on your way out.

Simply insert your blank card into the square frame and press the stamps in order. Be gentle; pressing too hard can smudge the ink!

Voila! Your 'Amazing Thailand' postcard is complete. It's definitely a keepsake!

You can also browse the 'Amazing Thailand' gift shop and purchase any items that catch your eye. The main NMK gift shop is incredibly popular, so the special exhibition's shop was surprisingly quiet.

That concludes my review of the National Museum of Korea's special exhibitions. Since it's challenging to see everything in one day, I recommend focusing on two special exhibitions or a specific section of the permanent collection, then planning a return visit for more exploration.

NMK was ranked the world's 3rd most visited museum last year, proudly following the Louvre and Vatican Museums. It's a fantastic destination for families and a unique date spot, so be sure to check it out!

📍 National Museum of Korea
137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea