Hannam to Yongsan: Star Architects
Botta, Nouvel and Koolhaas, then Chipperfield's cube
≈3.2 km · ≈45 min walking · Moderate · Yongsan-gu · Start: Hangangjin station · End: Sinyongsan station
Four of the world's best-known architects in one walk: Leeum's three buildings on the Hannam hill, down through Itaewon to the War Memorial's vast plaza and Chipperfield's white Amorepacific headquarters.
Stops
- Leeum Museum of Art (리움미술관)
Three architects, three buildings, one campus. It is one of the clearest places in the city to compare how different designers handle material and light. - War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)
A monumental museum of Korea's wars (1994) with tanks and aircraft in its grounds. The colonnaded plaza is worth the walk even if you skip the galleries. - Amorepacific Headquarters (아모레퍼시픽 본사)
A calm, near-cubic block cut open by large 'urban windows' holding roof gardens. The ground floor atrium and basement museum are open to the public.
Best time: Tuesday to Sunday. Book Leeum online; the War Memorial's outdoor grounds are open daily.
Tips
- Leeum and the War Memorial both close on Mondays.
- Itaewon-ro is steep near Leeum; the route is mostly downhill this way round.
Access
The walk up to Leeum in Hannam-dong is a steep hill. The War Memorial and Amorepacific HQ are level and step-free.