Seoul Former Russian Legation (서울 구 러시아공사관)

1.6Km 2020-06-18

21-18, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5882

The Russian Legation was built in a Renaissance style in 1890. Russian architect, A. J. Scredin Sabatine designed the structure. In 1895, during the Joseon dynasty, the Eulmisabyeon Incident took place as a show of force by the Japanese.

Empress Myeongseong-hwanghu was emerging as a strong figure in Korea at a time when a power struggle between Japan, China, Russia, and other powers were taking place. Japanese Minister, Miura Goro saw her as a threat and ordered her assassination. After hearing news of the Empress’s assassination, King Gojong and the Crown Prince sought refuge in the Russian Embassy for one year.

After 1945, the Soviet Union took over the embassy until it was almost completely destroyed by a fire during the Korean War [1950~1953]. The only remaining parts of the building are the tower and basement areas. The building was restored to its current condition in 1973 and is now enjoyed by many as a public park.

National Souvenirs Center [Tax Refund Shop] (한국관광명품점)

1.6Km 2024-04-23

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Insa-Dong National Souvenir Center (한국관광명품점(인사동))

1.6Km 2020-11-07

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-6529

Operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Korea Tourism Association, the National Souvenir Center has strict standards for the brands sold, only allowing those which have won various prizes and passed thorough screening. Shoppers can be assured of high quality and high class products.

Gallery Park Young Sook - Atelier Seoul (박영숙요 (아틀리에서울))

1.6Km 2020-04-23

30, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-7837

Gallery Park Young Sook (Atelier Seoul) is the gallery of the modern potter, Park Young Sook. The gallery displays and sells white porcelain representing the Joseon dynasty, Buncheong ware, and ceramics with modern flavors. As the name implies, the gallery feels more like a showroom than a shop, even though the various items, including flower vases, decorative ceramics, and daily use earthenware are for sale. Queen Elizabeth II of England visited Gallery Park Young Sook during her second visit. The gallery has even expanded, with another branch opening in New Jersey.

Banjjak Banjjak Binnaneun (반짝반짝빛나는)

1.6Km 2021-03-19

28-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-4525

A Traditional Beverages specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. A store selling hand-crafted Korean traditional tea. The most famous menu is green plum tea.

Seoul Gongyesa [Tax Refund Shop] (서울공예사)

1.6Km 2024-04-16

1F, 27-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Ipamnamu - Insa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이팝나무 인사)

1.6Km 2024-04-18

4, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Moonguesthouse(문게스트하우스)

1.6Km 2024-06-20

31-18, Samil-daero 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-745-8008, +82-10-8704-9981

The Moon Guesthouse is situated near a number of interesting tourist destinations including Unhyeongung Palace (3min on foot), Bukchon Hanok Village (5min on foot), Changdeokgung Palace (5min on foot), and Changgyeonggung Palace (10min on foot). The guesthouse was named ‘moon’ (‘door’ in English) because it has many 176 doors and windows. Upon entering by the gate, visitors will see a ‘ㄷ’-shaped hanok building in the courtyard, in which a wooden bedstead and a table are placed. On the opposite of the hanok building there is a wall roofed with tiles engraved with Korean patterns such as deer, pine, turtle, etc. Flowers in the flowerbed lined up along the wall are in bloom and the bonsai are also well-kept in the house. Renovated and opened as a guesthouse in September 2011, Moon Guesthouse consists of a bonchae (main building) and a byeolchae (detached house). The rooms are decorated with red clay and hanji (traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees), and have under-the-floor heating (ondol). Each room is equipped with an air-conditioner, and has a 40cm-thick layer of red clay over the ceiling for insulation, making the rooms cool in summer and warm in winter. The house has seven individual guestrooms and five modern bathrooms, but the entire building (bonchae or byeolchae) can be rented, too. In particular, the unhyeondang of the bonchae is very popular as it can be converted into one large space for special events, group workshops, etc. simply by opening all the sliding doors (Bunhapmun – Goryeo construction style). This room, which is decorated with a flower-patterned windscreen, a landscape painting, and calligraphy, has been used as a shooting location for various TV programs including KBS2’s TV reality program Man’s Qualification and its variety show The Human Condition. The guestrooms are also equipped with traditional furniture including a cabinet inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The guesthouse also provides a variety of experience programs from 11am to 3pm, including tea ceremony, wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes), making kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste), playing a traditional musical instrument, making a rubbing of a stone inscription, calligraphy, drawing orchids on a fan, and so on. The house has about seventy hanbok and other clothing accessories, as well as a royal costume. Its calligraphy and drawing orchid programs are run directly by the owner, who used to work as a classical Chinese teacher at a high school.

Frisbee - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (FR광화문점(금강 프리스비))

1.6Km 2024-04-16

1F, 8, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Korea Grand Sale (코리아그랜드세일)

1.6Km 2024-12-16

29 Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-7787-4242

Korea Grand Sale is an integrated festival that promotes culture, tourism and shopping to international visitors. While the Korea Grand Sale online platform provides various content and promotions throughout the year, it offers the biggest discounts and programs through offline events in January and February.

Seoul Former Russian Legation (서울 구 러시아공사관) - Area information - Korea travel information