Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

3.5Km 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.

E-Mart - Mapo Gongdeok Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이마트 마포공덕)

3.5Km 2024-04-22

212, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

-

CheongKwanJang - Hangangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 한강로)

3.5Km 2024-04-18

1F, Junggwanjang Hangang-ro Branch, 159-1, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

-

Paraboot - Hannam Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (파라부트 한남)

3.5Km 2024-04-23

228-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

-

European Christmas Market (유러피언 크리스마스 마켓)

3.5Km 2024-12-03

B1 Samseongyo-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2241-6381

European Christmas Market aims to exchange and promote cultural values with international visitors and local residents by celebrating Christmas according to its area of origin, Europe. Visitors can experience European Christmas through food, music, performances, and other enjoyable events.

Nature Republic - Gongdeok Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (네이처리퍼블릭 공덕역점)

3.5Km 2024-04-22

Store #626-138, B200 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

-

Lotte Super - Gongdeok Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데슈퍼 공덕점)

3.5Km 2024-04-23

109, Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

-

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

3.5Km 2025-04-08

11 Usadan-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon aims to rediscover Seoul through creativity and inspiration. The overall design of the hotel is inspired by French avant-garde, using a variety of objects and props to create an artistic and stylish atmosphere. The hotel has Collection T room type, a twin bedroom; Collection D room type, a double bedroom; and Collection S room type, a single bedroom. On the first floor of the hotel is a guest lobby and a pasta restaurant. The hotel's parking lot is limited in space, and therefore guests are advised to use a nearby public parking lot.

Changuimun Gate - Jahamun Gate (창의문(자하문))

3.5Km 2020-04-02

118, Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Changuimun Gate was often called Jahamun Gate. It was one of four mini-gates in the north surrounding the walled city of Hanyang (Seoul) during the Joseon dynasty. After the closure of Sukjeongmun Gate, one of the four main gates, Changuimun Gate became a favorite north gate. Hence, people also called Changuimun the North Gate. It is the only gate among four mini gates that is still in its original state. Although it is small, almost 50m² in terms of size, it looks very firm and sturdy. While Dongsomun Gate, another of the four mini gates, is decorated with a phoenix, Changuimun Gate is adorned with a wooden chicken along its rafters. The reason behind the wooden chicken was that the chicken was believed to be the nemesis of the centipede. People believed that installing the wooden chicken was important to overcome the harmful spirit of the centipede.

Myogaksa Temple-Seoul (묘각사 (서울))

3.5Km 2020-01-31

31, Jong-ro 63ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Located east of Naksan Mountain at Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu in Seoul, Myogaksa Temple offers the urbanites a chance to experience Temple Stay. Since 2002, Myogaksa Temple has run its special Temple Stay program titled “Free from All Anxiety”, which sees a growing number of foreign participants every year. Moreover, you may also have a chance to experience Korean traditional culture as well as get to know Korean history better through interesting stories.

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