Seoul Arts Center

Korea's leading multi-arts complex — this is Seoul Arts Center.

Five buildings sit together at the foot of Umyeonsan: the Opera House, staging opera, theater, dance, and musicals; the Concert Hall, dedicated to classical music; Hangaram Art Museum with six exhibition halls; Seoul Calligraphy Museum, the world's only museum dedicated entirely to calligraphy; and Hangaram Design Art Museum, home to a wide archive of arts materials.

The most eye-catching feature is the Opera House's roof, famous for its distinctive design modeled after the "gat," a traditional Korean hat. Right next door are the National Gugak Center and the Korea National University of Arts, and several national performing companies — including the National Ballet and National Opera of Korea — are based here, making it something of a heart of Korean performing arts.

Even without catching a show, the art museum exhibits and the outdoor plaza alone make for an enjoyable visit, so it's an easy stop even if your timing doesn't line up with a performance.

Schedules and ticket prices vary by performance, so it's worth checking the website before you visit. Tel 1668-1352.