Insa-dong (인사동)

8.1Km 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.

Hosujip (호수집)

8.1Km 2021-03-30

443, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-0695

It is a restaurant where people wait in line as a hidden restaurant for locals in Chungjeong-ro. The best menu at this restaurant is spicy braised chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Bon PALETE (봉파레트)

8.1Km 2021-03-29

57-1, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-0827

You can enjoy delicious meals at a hanok restaurant. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood pasta.

bon PALETE(봉파레트)

8.1Km 2020-12-24

57-1 Seongbuk-ro Seongbuk-gu Seoul
+82-2-766-0827

You can enjoy delicious meals at a hanok restaurant. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood pasta.

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

8.1Km 2023-08-11

5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

Seoul Drum Festival (서울드럼페스티벌)

8.1Km 2024-04-25

445 Yangneong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-537-7109

Seoul Drum Festival is a representative music festival in Seoul that has been held in spring since 1999. The festival features performances by Korean and international artists along with exhibition and experience booths to learn more about drums. Participants of all ages can joyfully experience percussion in person through hands-on activities.

Nodeul Island (노들섬)

8.1Km 2024-11-01

445 Yangnyeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Nodeul Island seems like an island floating in the middle of the Hangang River. The island was opened to the public in 2012 as a recreational area while preserving most of its original form. In 2019, the island was equipped with more facilities to serve as a cultural entertainment spot to the public.

Seoul B-dance Festival (서울비댄스페스티벌)

8.1Km 2024-05-22

445 Yangnyeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-758-2045

The Seoul B-dance Festival takes place on Nodeulseom Island in the Hangang River and helps kick off the summer season with break dancing and other modern b-boy styles of dance. Enjoy a range of street culture programs outside of dancing, including skateboarding and graffiti art.

Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun (교보문고)

8.1Km 2024-12-04

1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
02-3295-0312

Kyobo Book Centre is the first large-scale bookstore in Korea, and this particular store can be found next to Gwanghwamun Square. Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun divides its internal area into 11 sections and organizes them in a way that allows readers to find books easily. The store also has specialized shops for stationery, digital devices, and accessories, as well as exhibition spaces and cafés.

Insa-dong (인사동) - Area information - Korea travel information