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

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

7.5Km    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.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

7.6Km    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.

National Theater of Korea (국립극장)

7.6Km    2024-03-06

59, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The National Theater of Korea opened in 1950 as the first national theater in Asia. It is the only production theater that takes traditional arts to recreate them as contemporary art. It offers various types of theaters, such as Haeoreum Grand Theater, Daloreum Theater (middle-size), Immersive Studio ByeolByeol (small-size), and Haneul Round Theater with a circular stage structure. In addition, the Museum of Performing Arts, Cultural Plaza, and other convenience stores and coffe shops offer pleasure and relax to its visitors. 

Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

7.6Km    2021-09-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kan in the front and 2 kan (traditional unit of measurement of the space between pillars) to the sides. It originally belonged to the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, but came to be considered a part of Changdeokgung Palace in more recent years.

The hall was constructed in 1846 (12th year of King Heonjong’s reign) and it is collectively called Nakseonjae together with the adjacent Seokbokheon Hall and Sugangjae Hall.

Behind the building is a flower garden made of stacked large stones. The chimney, the flowers, and the oddly shaped stones harmoniously blend into one another to create an outstanding landscape gardening.

Premiumpass International ((주)프리미엄패스 인터내셔널)

7.6Km    2025-10-23

(#501-507, Pine Square Building A), 22 Magokjungang 4-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul

 Premiumpass International is a global tourism‧MICE service provider that creates new values through distinguished and innovative services.
As a travel agency specializing in medical tourism (aesthetic medicine, health checkups, critical care), we plan, develop, and manage various medical tourism products.
We provide a total one-stop service platform offering safe tours of K-tourism hotspots, specializing in services for individual tourists and luxury tourists.
*Safety Insurance & Care Service (personalized traveler insurance), 
*Airport concierge (reception, transfer), travel concierge (city/themed/luxury tour): Concierge Service Officers (CSO) for Incheon Airport and major tour hubs
* Digital concierge services for international visitors to Korea
* SOS service for a safe and comfortable experience for international tourists:
- Personalized care in the event of a safety accident or illness 
- Two-way services between online and offline (mobile chat, concierge services)

Syncverse (주식회사 싱크버스)

7.6Km    2025-12-09

(B103, Bethel Building), 875 Tongil-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul

SYNCVERSE is a combination of the words “synchronize,” which means happening at the same time, and “universe,” representing the vast world we live in.
Syncverse serves as a central hub, connecting people and facilitate seamless beginnings for success in various fields. We cater not only to medical tourism and medical research and development, but also provide a global network to meet the needs of our valued customers and partners.

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 다래나무)

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 다래나무)

7.6Km    2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be 600 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. The tree stands 19m in x_height, and has six separate trunks sprawling in all directions. It is the biggest and the oldest in Korea. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

7.6Km    2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone stretches from Seorin-dong to Changsin-dong between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jong-ro. It includes Youth Street, Gwangjang Market, Sewoon Electronics Department Store, lighting stores, pharmacy & medical device stores, badge stores, Stamp Street, Stationery · Toy Market, Aquarium Street, Shoes Market, and other markets totalling to approximately 14,000 shops. Nearby attractions include modern high-story buildings as well as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Unhyeongung Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong, merging traditions, modernism, culture, and markets alike.

Thought to be at the heart of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream is located in the dense cultural area of Seoul where various press networks, organizations, bookstores and other major corporations are situated. Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream is a famous activity for tourists. Also, the area is the venue for the Seoul Lantern Festival every winter. Keeping its traditional scene including narrow alleys, old-fashioned hanok buildings and various stores still fully intact, the tourist zone has enough fun places for sightseeing as well as tasty restaurants in every corner for a more enjoyable visit.

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (삼성미술관 리움)

7.7Km    2022-12-15

60-16, Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, exhibits traditional and modern art works by Korean and international artists. The museum itself is just as fascinating as the art works on display, since the museum's three buildings were designed by internationally renowned architects Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas.

MUSEUM 1 houses traditional Korean art, such as calligraphy, paintings, ceramic arts, and metal craftwork, while MUSEUM 2 displays modern and contemporary art by both Korean and international artists.

The Hyooshik Simdo Hotel & Spa Sillim by Aank (더휴식 심도 호텔 앤 스파 신림역점)

The Hyooshik Simdo Hotel & Spa Sillim by Aank (더휴식 심도 호텔 앤 스파 신림역점)

7.7Km    2025-04-22

7 Nambusunhwan-ro 181-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

The hotel offers a variety of rooms to choose from, including standard rooms, a music room, a wellness room equipped with a premium massage bed, a movie room, a PC room with computers, four types of spa rooms, and a bunker room that can accommodate up to four people.