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

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

14.0Km    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.

Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

14.0Km    2025-03-15

192 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Kervan is a Turkish restaurant located in Itaewon, offering authentic kebab, pidé, and Turkish desserts. It faithfully recreates the Turkish culture and food through its interior, decorated with traditional tiles, and dishes prepared by a chef from Türkiye. Main menus include Chicken steak, Rich pidé, and Chicken shish kebab.

Itaewon Shopping Street (이태원 쇼핑거리)

Itaewon Shopping Street (이태원 쇼핑거리)

14.1Km    2025-03-29

Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon Shopping Street is a 1.4-kilometer-long road located near Itaewon Station. There is an enormous variety of shops, entertainment venues, and restaurants lined along both sides of the street. As the neighborhood has a reputation as a mini melting pot in Seoul where languages other than Korean are widely spoken, it is one of the most visited places by international visitors. It has become a gateway for many international visitors to receive services and information on basic tourist needs such as accommodations, shopping, tourist attractions, and more.

Hangang River (한강)

14.1Km    2024-10-29

257 Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

The Hangang River is a iconic river in Korea that crosses Seoul from north to south. Various parks and cultural facilities are located along the river, attracting numerous people to enjoy leisure and relaxation. Many people enjoy walking, biking, and jogging along the river. Water sports such as fishing, kayaking, and sailing are also popular, and the night view of the river from a cruise ship makes it even more beautiful. Events such as concerts, drone festivals, and fireworks displays are also a must-see. 

Haenggung-dong Mural Village (행궁동 벽화마을)

Haenggung-dong Mural Village (행궁동 벽화마을)

14.1Km    2025-10-28

9-7 Hwaseomun-ro 72beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Suwon’s Haenggung-dong is the name for 12 neighborhoods, including Jangan-dong and Sinpung-dong, in the Hwaseong Fortress area. It was the most bustling place in Suwon from when the Hwaseong Fortress was built 220 years ago until just a few decades ago. However, with Hwaseong Fortress being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, time seems to have stopped due to strict development regulations. In the meantime, residents, civic groups, and artists came together to paint murals in effort to make the area become more alive. Due to their efforts, the region has now emerged as a tourist attraction visited by as many people as Hwaseong Fortress.

The Haenggung-dong comprises various alleys connected depending on their characteristics, including the Mural Village, Workshop Street, Suwon Chicken Street, and Jidong Market. The Mural Village is divided into six alleyways by theme, including the Haengbokha (Happy) Road, Saranghada (Love) Road, Nuneuroganeun (to Snow) Road, Cheoeumachim (First Morning) Road, Romance Road, and Dwiroganeun (Backward) Road. A photo zone has been set up in front of the mural, and not only the mural but also the walls, roof, and fence are filled with various sculptures and paintings. Many pretty workshops and cafés nearby are also interesting to look around.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - TV series "Lovely Runner"
Haenggung-dong Mural Village sets the scene where Sol and Sun-jae walked to school together. It is also where the memorable scene was filmed of Sol dashingly pushing a flustered Sun-jae against the wall. As you stroll along the low stone walls adorned with murals, it’s easy to imagine the couple’s school-day moments, adding a nostalgic charm to your walk.

Asan Medical Center (서울아산병원)

14.1Km    2025-10-23

(Pungnap-dong), 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Opened in June 1989, Asan Medical Center is the largest tertiary hospital in Korea with 2,764 beds. In 2023, we treated an average of 13,260 outpatients and 2,539 inpatients per day, and performed 70,892 surgeries throughout the year.

With three specialty hospitals–Cancer Institute, Heart Institute, and Children's Hospital–and more than 50 specialized centers, we lead the world in cancer, organ transplantation, and cardiac care. In recognition of our efforts, we have topped the list of Korea's Most Admired Hospitals for 18 consecutive years and ranked NO. 1 in Korea for six consecutive years in U.S. Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals.

As a "quarternary hospital" serving critically ill patients from Korea and abroad who come to us as their last hope, Asan Medical Center treats more than 20,000 international patients from around 100 countries, including the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia. Medical professionals from developed countries visit us to learn our advanced medicine. Over the past decade, more than 3,700 professionals from nearly 90 countries have visited us to learn the latest medical techniques.

Chunghyeon Museum (충현박물관)

Chunghyeon Museum (충현박물관)

14.1Km    2021-08-02

5-6, Ori-ro 347beon-gil, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do

The Chunghyeon Museum preserves the legacy of the respected scholar Ori Lee Wonik. The museum's logo is inspired by the scholar's signature on a letter that he wrote four years before his death, addressed to his son Lee Uijeon, grandson Lee Suyak, and successive descendants. Visitors can see various artifacts and ruins related to Lee Wonik.

Haengnidan Street (행리단길)

14.2Km    2025-06-18

43 Hwaseomun-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Haengnidan Street is a stretch of approximately 612 meters from Hwahongmun Gate of Hwaseong Fortress to Hwaseo Park. The name Haengnidan Street originates from Haenggung-dong (Haenggung referring to the king's temporary palace) and Gyeongnidan Street, a popular area in Itaewon, Seoul. This vibrant district seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, featuring a variety of unique restaurants, stylish cafés, concept stores, and exhibition spaces. It has become one of Suwon's most iconic attractions.

Hwaseomun Gate (화서문)

Hwaseomun Gate (화서문)

14.2Km    2022-12-29

334, Jangan-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Hwaseomun Gate is the western gate of Hwaseong Fortress, a Treasure. Over the stone mujigae (rainbow) door is a single-story tower gate. Hwaseomun Gate's ongseong (defensive gate) forms a crecent shape, with one side of the ongseong remaining open.

Galleria Gwanggyo Passage (갤러리아 광교 파사쥬)

Galleria Gwanggyo Passage (갤러리아 광교 파사쥬)

14.2Km    2025-05-21

124 Gwanggyojungang-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Opened in 2020, the Galleria Gwanggyo Passage is located on the lower floors of the Galleria Gwanggyo. Inspired by sedimentary rocks, its exterior was designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas. With its striking design, it offers visitors a unique experience. In addition to popular cafes and bakeries, visitors can explore a variety of brands of cosmetics, outwear, IT, and food & beverages. The space also features various photo zones, a self-studio, and other fun activities that go beyond the traditional department store experience.