PYEONGCHANGDONG | Creatrip Locals' Guide
A Picturesque Seoul Neighbourhood With An Active Art Culture & Celebrity Homes
Pyeongchangdong is home to the modern art scene of Korea with art galleries gathered around on its mountainous streets. It is also home to many celebrities and prominent political and business figures.
Below we have listed some art galleries for you to explore, but you'll find a lot more along your walk around the neighbourhood. Feel free to check out any that catches your eye as a lot of them are free to view or very affordable at under ₩5,000.
You'll also find a list of quaint cafes and restaurants for you to relax and recharge at. If you're up for a hike, Pyeongchangdong offers ways to explore Mt. Bukhan as well.
Pyeongchangdong is not easily accessible by public transportation, but it's still worth a visit if you want to take a look around how the wealthy in Korea live and check out a quieter side of Seoul full of art exhibitions.
THINGS TO DO
Gana Art Center
Address: 서울 종로구 평창30길 28
Hours: 10:00-19:00, Closed on Mondays
Price: Around ₩3,000
Transportation: Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3 Bus Stop → Buses 1711, 1020 → Get off at Lotte Apartment
This 30,000 sq ft, two-storey contemporary art center contributes to the Korean art scene by featuring and discovering various works of many local Korean artists. At the same time, the art center exhibits works of international artists to provide a wider global perspective to its visitors.
Kim Chong Yung Museum
Address: 서울 종로구 평창32길 30
Hours: 10:00-18:00, Closed on Mondays
Hours subject to seasonal changes
Price: Free
The museum features an exhibition of the Korean artist Kim Chong Yung as well as exhibitions of young local artists. The stunning architecture is another reason you should visit as it comes with an outdoor fountain, a cafe and a reference library. This museum is just minutes from Gana Art Center by foot.
Address: 서울 종로구 평창로30길 40
Hours: 10:00-18:00, Closed Sun
Price: Free (Ticket prices may change depending on exhibition)
This two-storey art gallery features expansive open-concept exhibition spaces and a cafe with views overlooking the mountains and the city upstairs. They feature many mainstream, globally renowned artists as well as local artists with prospects.
Total Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 서울 종로구 평창32길 8
Hours: 11:00-18:00, Closed Mon
Price: ₩5,000
This art gallery, as the first privately-owned contemporary art institution was founded in 1984 in Gyeonggi Province and later in 1992 to the Seoul neighbourhood of Pyeongchangdong. TMCA, through its exhibitions, hopes to raise awareness and appreciation of contemporary art and culture in Korea.
Address: 서울 종로구 평창34길 8-3
Hours: Tues-Sat 11:00-18:00, Closed Sun & Mon
Price: Generally free
It's a great place to take a peek into Korea's modern art world. Nook Gallery features different works of local artists, mostly free of charge.
Address: 서울 종로구 평창30길 25
Hours: Weekdays 11:00-19:00, Sat 12:00-19:00,
Closed on Sun & Statutory Holidays
Price: Generally free
LJA Gallery functions as a cultural hub that experiments not only with fine arts but with different forms of arts including webtoons, literature, movie and architecture.
Address: 서울 종로구 평창길 204
Hours: 10:00-19:00, Closed Sun & Mon
Price: Generally free
Gallery 2 moved from the bustling Gangnam area to the quiet Pyeongchang art scene 2 years ago. Although it doesn't see a huge crowd as it used to in Gangnam, many visitors stop by with a pure purpose of enjoying its exhibitions.
Hiking Up Mt. Bukhan
Address: 서울 종로구 평창문화로 102-45
If you're up for a hike up Mt. Bukhan, you can find a couple of entrances near the Gallery Street. This one will take you on a moderate hike up to Hyeongjaebong Peak. Be sure to check the map or the signs to confirm where you'll head down to.
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK
Address: 서울 종로구 평창30길 10 2F
Hours: 11:00-21:00, Closed Mon
Price: ₩4,500 and up
This bookstore-meets-cafe situated up a hill of Pyeongchangdong boasts big windows that let plenty of sunlights in and comfortable wooden elements inside. It's a great place for brunch so be sure to stop by before you start your day around the neighbourhood!
Address: 서울 종로구 평창6길 71
Hours: 11:00-19:00, Closed Wed
Price: ₩13,000 and up, one drink & one dessert order per person is mandatory
Transportation: Not easily accessible by public transit
This stunning cafe situated along the mountainside is a true indoor-outdoor cafe that lets all the breeze and sunshine in. This charming architecture functions as a shooting location and has worked with celebrities including Kang Daniel, Gong Yoo, EXO Suho, Lee Jong-suk, Song Joong-ki and many more!
Address: 서울 종로구 평창30길 40
Hours: 11:00-19:00, Closed Sun
Price: ₩4,000 and up
Located upstairs from Gallery Sejul, this cafe overlooks the stunning scenery of Pyeongchangdong through its ceiling-to-floor glass windows. You'll find cool art pieces inside the cafe as well.
Address: 서울 종로구 평창길224
Hours: 12:00-18:00, Closed Mon
Price: ₩6,000 and up
A cafe situated in a beautiful architecture lets in breezes of fresh air from Mt. Bukhan while amazing views catch patrons' eyes. Customers can also walk up the tiny slope in the garden to enjoy the refreshments outdoors.
Cafe Motte
Address: 서울 종로구 평창30길 24
Hours: Tues & Thurs 11:00-21:00
Wed & Fri11:30-20:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-21:00
Price: ₩20,000 and up, americano ₩5,000 with an order of a dish.
You can get great Italian dishes out in the patio or inside its luxurious environment. Cafe Motte serves food but is also open for those stopping by for a beverage or two.
Samgaksan Meorujip (삼각산 머루집)
Address: 서울 종로구 비봉2길 80-2
Hours: Weekdays 11:30-20:00, Closed Wed
Weekends 10:30-20:00, Last order 19:00
Price: Signature Dotorimuk ₩15,000
This place is a true local hiker's delight. Many who have finished hiking Mt. Bukhan come to this place to taste their perfectly jiggly dotorimuk (acorn jelly). Pair the jelly with cold noodles to complete your local hiker's meal on a hot summer's day!
This place is so popular among locals that it was introduced on a popular food show Tasty Guys on their hiking episode.
Jeolbyuk (절벽)
Address: 서울 종로 평창문화로 130
Hours: 17:00-04:00, Closed on the first and third Sunday of every month
Price: ₩8,000 and up
This place is another local hidden gem that's been around for decades. Their menu is only in Korean. Try their most ordered dishes of spicy freshwater snails with cold noodles (골뱅이&소면무침) with grilled pork (돼지구이) for a total of ₩20,000. What a steal!
Address: 서울 종로구 평창30길 25
Hours: Weekdays 10:30-21:00,
Weekends 12:00-20:00
Price: ₩5,000 and up
Enjoy refreshing beverages and housemade sandwiches and desserts overlooking the greenery of Pyeongchangdong or in their garden! This cafe is located in the same building as LJA Gallery so be sure to check out the current exhibition while you're there too.
Cafe Samiru
Address: 서울 종로구 평창32길 30
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Price: ₩5,000 and up
This cafe, located inside the stunning Kim Chong Yung Museum, serves up delicious options including sandwiches, waffles, bagels along with coffee beverages.
This brings us to the end of our Pyeongchangdong guide. Whether it's for a little hike up Mt. Bukhan or a tour around the art galleries, Pyeongchangdong will be a Seoul experience none like others. Be sure to share your experience with us!
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