Jeju National Museum

Jeju was once home to its own kingdom, Tamna. Jeju National Museum is an archaeology and history museum built around the story of this island state, covering Jeju's history and culture from prehistory to the Joseon period. Opened on 15 June 2001, it lets you follow step by step how the island's own culture developed.

History

Construction began in December 1992 and was completed at the end of 2000, at a cost of KRW 38.6 billion. The galleries are built around finds from sites all over Jeju, with a dedicated space for the culture of Tamna. The museum also holds special exhibitions on different themes every year. Tamna kept its own culture on Jeju until it was absorbed into the administrative system of the mainland dynasty during the Goryeo period, and its rise is the centrepiece of the museum.

What to see

• Central Hall: the stained-glass work in the ceiling is a new take on Jeju's creation myth.
• The Island of Jeju and Prehistoric Jeju: the island's natural setting, and stone tools and pottery from very early sites such as Gosan-ri.
• Development of Island Villages and the Island Kingdom of Tamna: models and artefacts show villages forming and growing into the kingdom of Tamna. A large model of an ancient village laid out across the floor is a highlight.
• Jeju in the Goryeo and Joseon periods: the island after it was drawn into the mainland state, told through old maps, books and everyday objects.
• People of Jeju Island and Donated Heritage: the life of the islanders and gifts to the collection.
• Outdoor display: a garden of dongjaseok, the basalt child figures that Jeju families placed in front of tombs.
• Children's museum and immersive video room: a hands-on children's museum and a room showing Jeju scenery on large screens. The video room's hours change from time to time, so check the website.

Good to know

From 16 June 2026 to 1 March 2027 the museum shows "Eternity in a Moment: Capturing Jeju", a special exhibition of photographs donated from the work of the late Kim Young-gap, who photographed Jeju's oreum and fields. If you have just walked Yongnuni Oreum, his favourite, you can see the same landscapes again on the gallery walls.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30), free admission and free parking. Paid special exhibitions are charged separately.
• Closing days: Mondays, 1 January and Seollal and Chuseok days. Some permanent galleries may close temporarily for maintenance, so check the notices on the website.
• Guided tours: a regular tour of about 40 minutes starts at 10:00 from Tuesday to Sunday; just meet at the information desk of the permanent galleries, no booking needed. A guide robot on the ground floor also gives tours in English, Chinese and Japanese. Bring your phone and earphones to use the free audio guide in the National Museum exhibition guide app.
• Time needed: about 1 hour for the permanent galleries. The museum is in Geonip-dong, Jeju City, so it pairs well with Dongmun Market or a walk on Sarabong and Byeoldobong.