Constructed from 50 tonnes of steel by American artist Jonathan Borofsky, this 22m-tall superman of a blacksmith built in 2002 is caught still in the motion of hammering. The statue provokes thoughts about work: is it just a meaningless ritual that dominates our lives? Borofsky has designed more than 10 other similar statues around the world.
Hammering Man
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.67 MILES
Like a phoenix, Seoul’s premier palace has risen several times from the ashes of destruction. Hordes of tourists have replaced the thousands of government…
1.24 MILES
The World Heritage–listed Changdeokgung is the most beautiful of Seoul's five main palaces. You must join a one-hour guided tour to look around. English…
2.69 MILES
Amid the celebrity-owned apartments on the leafy southern slope of Namsan is Korea's premier art gallery. Beautifully designed and laid-out, it balances…
20.33 MILES
The World Heritage–listed fortress wall that encloses the original town of Suwon is what brings most travellers to the city. Snaking up and down Paldal…
0.36 MILES
One of Seoul's five grand palaces built during the Joseon dynasty, Deoksugung (meaning Palace of Virtuous Longevity) is the only one you can visit in the…
3.21 MILES
This vast and imposing concrete slab of a museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Korea's past from prehistory all the way to the Korean…
8.73 MILES
Granite-peak-studded Bukhansan National Park's sweeping mountaintop vistas, maple leaves, rushing streams and remote temples draw over 5 million hikers…
2.3 MILES
This huge museum documents the history of the Korean War (1950–53) using multimedia exhibits and black-and-white documentary footage, along with artefacts…
Nearby Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu attractions
0.08 MILES
To gain an appreciation of the total transformation of Seoul down the centuries, visit this fascinating museum, which charts the city's history since the…
0.12 MILES
The impressive entrance gate to Gyeonghuigung has toured around Seoul, and was moved to its present site in 1988.
3. SeMA Gyeonghuigung Museum of Art
0.17 MILES
Two large, white hangar-like structures make up this branch of Seoul Museum of Art. Periodically changing exhibitions of a variable quality and interest…
0.23 MILES
The Palace of Shining Celebration, completed in 1623, used to consist of a warren of courtyards, buildings, walls and gates spread over a large area. But…
0.27 MILES
The regularly changing exhibitions at the gallery in the Sejong Center, the largest cultural complex in Seoul, are generally worth a look for an insight…
0.28 MILES
A good example of Deoksugung's potpourri of contrasting architectural styles, the grand neoclassical-style Seokjojeon was designed by British architect GR…
0.29 MILES
This statue is a downtown landmark. Seoul-born Yi Sun-sin (1545–98) designed new types of metal-clad warships called geobukseon (turtle boats), and used…
8. Daehan Empire History Museum
0.29 MILES
The Daehan Empire History Museum, with its opulent lobby, dining rooms and bedrooms, is in the neoclassical-style Seokjojeon. Visiting is only possible by…