The museum houses 'Cheonghwan-san,' a rare 17th-century medical text detailing specialized herbal medicine recipes.
The collection includes an original 18th-century European apothecary set, showcasing the cross-cultural exchange of medical apparatus.
The museum site contains a dedicated herb garden featuring over 100 species of medicinal plants used in traditional East Asian medicine.
It maintains a unique collection of 'Cheongja' (celadon) medicine jars dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty.
The museum was founded by the chairman of Handok, a pharmaceutical company, to preserve vanishing medical heritage during Korea's rapid modernization.
Established in 1964 as South Korea's first corporate museum, the Handok Museum of Medicine and Pharmacy is dedicated to the history of domestic and international medical sciences. The facility houses over 10,000 pharmaceutical artifacts, including several treasures designated by the South Korean government. Its collection spans ancient traditional Korean medical tools to early modern Western pharmaceutical equipment. The museum is located within the Handok Eumseong campus, which integrates industrial production with cultural preservation. It features both indoor galleries and a sprawling medicinal herb garden. The exhibits provide a comprehensive look at the evolution of public health and apothecary practices.
The central courtyard featuring the traditional medicinal herb garden offers the most aesthetic backdrop.
Combine your visit with a walk through the outdoor medicinal herb garden for a complete experience.
Check the official website for rotating special exhibitions before arrival.
Use the available digital guide services to better understand the technical labels on pharmaceutical artifacts.
Do not attempt to walk through the surrounding industrial factory areas, which are restricted for safety and security reasons.
Closed on Mondays and major public holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the galleries; avoid touching the displays.
