Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

219.9M    2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery (서울아트센터 공평갤러리)

Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery (서울아트센터 공평갤러리)

226.4M    2021-06-19

24, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4214-0070

Opened in 1992, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery is a 17,791㎡, two-story building with four exhibition halls. It is one of the main galleries of Insa-dong, displaying diverse artwork ranging from Western and Korean paintings to sculptures. Due to the great interest in Korean paintings, 2~3 of the annual long-term exhibitions focus solely on them.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

252.8M    2024-03-04

11-4, Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-4448

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located in Insa-dong. It has six exhibition rooms, an atelier, an outdoor exhibition area, and a traditional tea house. It hosts outdoor concerts in spring and fall, and Q&A sessions with authors can also be found as well. The traditional tea house offers about 15 types of traditional Korean tea in a space that overlooks the garden.

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

294.8M    2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-0222

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

LoL Park (롤파크)

LoL Park (롤파크)

297.2M    2025-11-04

33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Lol Park is the venue where the largest-scale League of Legends competition in South Korea, LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea), is held. It serves as a space for various esports events and activities, featuring spectator seating, LCK Arena (lounge), Riot Store (merchandise shop), PC rooms, and café.

Alive Museum (Insa-dong Branch) [박물관은 살아있다(인사동점)]

Alive Museum (Insa-dong Branch) [박물관은 살아있다(인사동점)]

308.8M    2024-03-15

(B1 and B2, Daeil Building), 12, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1544-8506

The Alive Museum is a media theme park located in Insa-dong. The exhibition here is made up of optical illusion art, large objet, and digital media pieces, which allow you to delve into the land of mystery. It is made up of different sections like the Insadong Photo Studio, Game Village, and the Toy Village.

Dynamic Maze (Insa-dong) (다이나믹 메이즈 (서울 인사동점))

Dynamic Maze (Insa-dong) (다이나믹 메이즈 (서울 인사동점))

308.8M    2024-03-15

12, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1544-8506

Dynamic Maze is an indoor space in Insa-dong dedicated to an exciting adventure: A maze filled with obstacles, requiring participants to work together and overcome the barriers through quickness and focus. Go through the hall of mirrors, climb the wall, and cross the suspension bridge to finally escape from the maze.

Sieunjae (시은재)

Sieunjae (시은재)

317.7M    2024-12-23

439 , Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5355-3029

Sieunjae is a hanok stay that has stood in the midst of busy Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, for generations. The guestrooms comprise an anbang (bedroom plus living room), three smaller rooms, and a byeolchae or detached house. All rooms have a toilet, and there’s a well-equipped shared kitchen and a washing machine. Guests can either rent individual rooms or the whole hanok. Jongno is convenient for travel to all the historic sites of Seoul, and there’s a public carpark nearby.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

334.1M    2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

352.9M    2025-07-14

33 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand's philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea's tradition and aesthetics, the store's tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand's carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor's preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.