Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

11.5Km 2024-11-27

196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors.

The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as many international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has become a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products in particular are famous. This is a go-to place for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shops selling clothes and bags, as well as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,000 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous in the district is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops selling furniture and antiques stretch from Hamilton Hotel toward Bogwang-ro.

Travelers can taste authentic cuisine and experience culture from around the globe on World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants operated by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into culturally diverse. Various performances and events are held in the area. In particular, Itaewon Global Village Festival, held every October, is a famous festival. Tourists can pay in US dollars, Japanese yen, or another currency freely. In addition, visitors can use various languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese with the sellers.

Sweet Park (Lotte Children's Food Experience Center) (스위트파크(롯데어린이식품체험관))

11.5Km 2024-02-15

201 Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul

Sweet Park is a children's food experience center, an educational and entertainment space featuring Lotte's food products. The park is designed as a village themed around Lotte's food items. It offers various tour programs such as Hot Air Balloon Theater, Sweet Park Tours, Lotte R&D Center Experience Zone, and Xylitol Dental Health Education Zone.

Cha Fertility Ceter - Seoul Station ((의)성광의료재단 차여성의원)

11.5Km 2025-10-23

(2nd Floor, Seoul Square), 416 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Since opening in 2015, CHA Fertility Center - Seoul Station has served as Korea's leading fertility treatment center. Based on the know-how of CHA University Gangnam Medical Center, the first private hospital to deliver a test-tube baby in 1986, CHA Fertility Center - Seoul Station is conveniently located near the center of Seoul, making it convenient for domestic and international fertility clients. Foreign fertility patients who arrive in Korea via Incheon Airport not only have easy access to the clinic via the direct rail linking Seoul and the airport but also benefit from the capital city's excellent infrastructure (transportation, tours, accommodations, restaurants, etc.) for a safe and comfortable fertility treatment during their stay. In particular, many international residents in Korea, embassy officials, U.S. soldiers, and Koreans living abroad visit CHA Fertility Center for fertility treatment.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

11.6Km 2025-04-08

11 Usadan-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon aims to rediscover Seoul through creativity and inspiration. The overall design of the hotel is inspired by French avant-garde, using a variety of objects and props to create an artistic and stylish atmosphere. The hotel has Collection T room type, a twin bedroom; Collection D room type, a double bedroom; and Collection S room type, a single bedroom. On the first floor of the hotel is a guest lobby and a pasta restaurant. The hotel's parking lot is limited in space, and therefore guests are advised to use a nearby public parking lot.

Jangdeok Hospital of Korean Medicine (장덕한방병원)

11.6Km 2025-10-23

B2-4th Floors, Bluefin Tower,

Jangdeok Korean Medicine Hospital provides integrative care through collaboration of Korean and Western medicine, operating specialty centers in shoulder, knee, spine, dermatology, brain health, and prostate. Its dermatology center specializes in resistant pigmentation removal and long-lasting deep wrinkle lifting.

Seoul Wave Art Center (서울웨이브아트센터)

11.6Km 2025-10-27

145-35 Jamwon-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Seoul Wave Art Center is located within Jamwon Hangang Park, and focuses on promoting the relationship between the sky and earth, people and nature, and people and people. The art center opened in 2020 and has continued to host a range of new exhibitions.

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

11.7Km 2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

11.7Km 2023-08-11

5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

Murwanghosu Lake (물왕호수)

11.8Km 2024-02-06

Murwang-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do

Murwanghosu Lake, also known as Heungbu Reservoir, is the largest lake in Siheung-si. Visitors can immerse themselves in nature while strolling along the deck encircling the lake. The illuminated pathways provide stunning night views of the lake, enhanced by vibrant lights. Additionally, the area features solar-powered smart benches, offering the convenience of wireless smartphone charging.

Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum (안중근의사기념관)

11.8Km 2024-03-06

91, Sowol-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
82-2-3789-1016

The Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum honors the memory of Ahn Junggeun (1879-1910), an independence activist and soldier who advocated for Korean independence and peace in Asia. He fought against the Japanese to defend the Korean Empire (1897-1910). He was executed in 1910 for assassinating Hirobumi Ito, the Japanese who led the invasion of Korea in 1909, in Harbin, China.

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information