Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

1.5Km    2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1861

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.

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회)

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회)

1.6Km    2025-04-09

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-1744~7

Started approximately 1,200 years ago during the Silla dynasty and continued through the Goryeo Yeon Deung Hoe and Joseon lantern festival, the Yeon Deung Hoe Festival is a traditional festival registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The lanterns at Yeon Deung Hoe Festival brighten the heart and the world!

Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (신당동떡볶이골목)

Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (신당동떡볶이골목)

1.6Km    2022-10-25

10-18, Dasan-ro 33-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-9135

Sindang-dongTteokbokki Town started in the late '70s, although the alley did not become famous until the '80s. At that time, each restaurant had its own DJ booth, with the image of the "cool DJ" who played the music becoming a symbol of Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town. In addition, this period also marked the prime time of high school baseball where students would crowd the streets on days when Duksoo Commercial High School and Sunrin Commercial High School (now Sunrin Internet High School) played against one another. Although these high school students have aged, they continue to visit the area, reliving their youth and continuing to indulge in the specialty tteokbokki.

However, some claim the history of this alley began in the 1950s. The owner of Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki restaurant says tteokbokki was being sold as early as 1953 as the area used to be home to Donga Theater and she sold tteokbokki, corn and potatoes to those visiting the theater. At first, tteokbokki was simply made with gochujang (red chili paste) but as time went by, cooks decided the dish could be more than just a snack. By adding ingredients like eggs, cellophane noodles, fish cakes, instant noodles and more recently squid, prawn and cheese, tteokbokki can be made more delicious and turns this beloved snack into a full meal.

Chir Chir Myeongdong(치르치르 명동)

Chir Chir Myeongdong(치르치르 명동)

1.6Km    2021-02-19

21, Myeongdong7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-773-0101

A Korean fusion-style chicken restaurant.The most famous menu is Fried Boneless Chicken.A chicken specialty restaurant located in Myeong-dong , Seoul.

Geumgang Seokkeo Jjigae (금강섞어찌개)

Geumgang Seokkeo Jjigae (금강섞어찌개)

1.6Km    2021-03-18

20-8, Myeongdong, 7ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-779-3610

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. The representative menu is meat stew with various vegetables. A third-generation family restaurant.

Chireuchireu Myeong-dong Station(치르치르 명동역)

Chireuchireu Myeong-dong Station(치르치르 명동역)

1.6Km    2020-11-25

7 Myeongdong 8ga-gil Jung-gu Seoul
+82-2-3789-9737

This is a place that sells various types of fusion chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is fried chicken.

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

1.6Km    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.

Myeongdong Seoseo Galbi (명동서서갈비)

Myeongdong Seoseo Galbi (명동서서갈비)

1.6Km    2023-11-01

20-8 Myeongdong 7ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-6400

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is grilled beef ribs. The restaurant has no seating, so everyone eats grilled meat while standing.

Jinsadaek (진사댁)

Jinsadaek (진사댁)

1.6Km    2024-03-15

30-1 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-9605

Jinsadaek is a traditional Korean restaurant located near Myeongdong Cathedral. It specializes in serving high-end Korean table d'hote prepared with ingredients such as beef, abalone, fish, soybean paste, blue crabs, and japchae. Additionally, they offer specialties like bori gulbi jeongsik (barley-aged dried yellow croaker set menu), ganjang gejang jeongsik (soy sauce marinated crab set menu).