Museum SAN, Gangwon-do, South Korea
4.5 (98 reviews) Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #1 in Wonju Speciality Museums
More than you can imagine
I first visited this museum in 2014. This year's visit was just as spectacular. The building and grounds are designed by Tadao Ando and are out of the world. The museum is perched almost on top of a mountain. World reknowned sculptures dot the landscape including the amazing "stone garden." The interior of the building is an artwork in its own, with angles and stone and light playing with each other. A wonderful display of Korean art is shown, as well as the history of papermaking. A small cafe and gift shop complement the museum
Address
260, Oak valley 2-gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju, Gangwon-do 26357 South Korea
Mobile
Website
http://www.hansolmuseum.org
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 13, 2024, 9:12
User Ratings
4.5 based on (98 reviews)
Reviews
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4thelonious22 5:00 PM Dec 23, 2020
Cool museum but expensive
We were hesitant to visit Museum San because of its hefty price tag and the fear of disappointment. We were immediately impressed with the chic architecture of the complex designed by Tadao Ando though. The snow covered grounds and the frozen pools of water added to the tranquility factor. Luckily the -15-degree weather kept the crowds away despite the weekend visit. Other than the Paik Nam-June exhibit, the art exhibited indoors wasn’t anything special. The three garden areas (stone, flower, water) were fantastic spots to walk around in peace. The outdoor cafe (despite having to pay 7000 for a cup of coffee to sit) was arguably the most scenic spot in the entire city. The highlight of the visit was the James Turrell exhibit (which basically doubled the entrance fee) which can only be visited by a guided tour. The brief 30 minute tour of his work, all influenced by the “light and space” movement is definitely enhanced by having limited visitors and the thorough explanation of the guide. Despite being arguably one of the best museums in Korea, the admission is way too steep for a visit that lasts about 90 minutes.
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5ikennen 5:00 PM May 23, 2020
Beautiful and Compelling
The grounds are stunning, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the golf course in the valley below. The museum itself is also a compelling piece of architecture, with a beautiful reflecting pool on either side of the walkway that leads to the entrance. The exhibits are very well done in both English and Korean, and the paper exhibit - depicting the historical development of paper - is compelling. There is also a nice coffee shop, with a great outdoor dining area. Overall, a great place to spend the day.
