Provisional Capital Memorial Hall
임시수도기념관
About
A red-brick former governor’s residence with tatami rooms, wax figures and displays on refugee life.
The red-brick house is the first exhibit at the Temporary Capital Memorial Hall (임시수도기념관). Built in 1926 as the Gyeongsangnam-do governor’s residence, it later became a museum, opening under its current name in 1984. Inside, Western-style reception rooms sit alongside Japanese tatami rooms, an unusual mix that makes the building itself worth looking through slowly. On a sunny day, the brick exterior and quiet, sunlit rooms also make for good photographs. The displays include wax figures of Syngman Rhee and scenes of refugee shanty towns. Visitors describe the figures as strikingly realistic, and the exhibits as neatly arranged. This is a place for looking at rooms and historical displays, not for a packed museum circuit: some visitors feel there is little to see beyond the house. One reviewer also felt the presentation of Rhee’s record was one-sided, a useful qualification if you are coming for a broad account of the period. Admission is reported as free. The museum is open 09:00–18:00 Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday. Parking is available, though reviewers say the lot can be short; one blog reports a basic one-hour parking allowance, so check locally if you plan to drive. For the family Piran School education program, book through the official website: reservations are online only and first-come, with no phone booking reported. Allow time to explore the rooms and displays at an unhurried pace; there is no need to treat it as a full-day stop. It suits families, students, and anyone interested in Busan’s wartime history, as well as visitors who want a quiet old house and a few photographs. Check ahead before making a special trip: some reviewers have encountered interior repair closures, and the exhibits can be limited if you are expecting a large museum.
Local tips
- Visit Tuesday through Sunday, 09:00–18:00; the museum is closed Monday.
- Walk through both the Western-style reception rooms and Japanese tatami rooms.
- Book Piran School programs online through the official website; phone booking is not accepted.
- Check for interior repair closures before making a special trip.
- Allow for limited parking, especially if driving.
Details
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 09:00–18:00
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:00–18:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00–18:00
- Thursday
- 09:00–18:00
- Friday
- 09:00–18:00
- Saturday
- 09:00–18:00