Bukchon Hanok Center for History (북촌한옥역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information

Bukchon Hanok Center for History (북촌한옥역사관)

Bukchon Hanok Center for History (북촌한옥역사관)

1.8Km    2024-11-05

3 Gyedong 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

How has Bukchon, a Hanok village, been preserved over the years? The Bukchon Hanok Center for History, housed in a remodeled Hanok, sheds light on the history of Bukchon and highlights Jeong Se-kwon, who strived to preserve Korea’s unique residential style. It features traditional Hanoks, and urban Hanoks that were modified from them. Compare and experience the ambiance of Hanok.

Jigum - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (JIGUM 종로)

Jigum - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (JIGUM 종로)

1.8Km    2024-04-18

F1, F2, 21-8, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Star Haecheontang (스타해천탕)

Star Haecheontang (스타해천탕)

1.8Km    2021-03-18

179, Nangye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-3382

A spicy seafood stew specialty restaurant located near Sindang Station in Seoul. The most famous menu is chicken and seafood soup. A restaurant famous for seafood stew and steamed dishes.

Myeongdong Cathedral (서울 명동성당)

Myeongdong Cathedral (서울 명동성당)

1.8Km    2022-12-27

74, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeongdong Cathedral is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and was also the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. The church houses the remains of several individuals: Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert (1796-1839), and priests Peter Simon (1803-1839), James (Jacques Honor Chastan, 1803-1839) and Pourthie Jean Antoine Charles (1830-1866) and four martyrs.

Myeongdong Cathedral is located in downtown Seoul and tourists frequently come and visit the place. Near the cathedral are other tourism spots such as Namsangol Hanok Village preserving Korean traditional houses, N Seoul Tower overlooking Seoul and Namdaemun Market, a traditional market with a wide variety of food and goods.

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil (해풍부원군윤택영댁재실)

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil (해풍부원군윤택영댁재실)

1.8Km    2021-11-10

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5882

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil is a shrine house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon dynasty in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored.
Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has the anchae (women’s quarters) located across from sarangbang (men’s quarters) with daecheong (living room) positioned between them.

Samdaein [Tax Refund Shop] (삼대인)

Samdaein [Tax Refund Shop] (삼대인)

1.8Km    2024-04-16

1F, #101, 301, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Beauty Play Myeongdong (뷰티플레이 명동)

Beauty Play Myeongdong (뷰티플레이 명동)

1.8Km    2024-12-27

73 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Beauty Play is a K-beauty experience center operated by the Korea Cosmetics Industry Institute and supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It offers a wide variety of sample Korean beauty products for testing  as well as diverse beauty experience programs such as makeup touch-up service (choice of base, eyes, or lips), personal color test, and skin evaluation. Visitors can also ask for product recommendation based on their skin type or skincare concerns. Beauty Play also frequently hosts beauty seminars and one-day classes, which are announced online via its official website. International tourists can apply for a full makeup service with an advance reservation free of charge. 

Beauty Play has two branches in Seoul: one in Myeong-dong, which is located across from Myeongdong Cathedral; and one in Hongdae. Beauty Play experience programs are avilabe from 10:00 to 18:00 everyday except Sundays. 

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

1.8Km    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.

Golfzon Market - Yaksu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (골프존마켓 약수)

Golfzon Market - Yaksu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (골프존마켓 약수)

1.8Km    2024-04-19

214, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

1.8Km    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.