Insa-dong (인사동)

14.1Km 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.

Himart - Jeongja Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 정자점)

14.1Km 2024-04-19

162, Buljeong-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

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Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun (교보문고)

14.1Km 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.

Hottracks - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (핫트랙스 광화문점)

14.1Km 2024-04-23

1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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E-Mart - Bundang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이마트 분당)

14.2Km 2024-04-22

134, Buljeong-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

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Dongwha Duty Free Shop (동화면세점)

14.2Km 2021-06-04

149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-399-3000

Dongwha Duty Free offers only the world’s best brands for sale. Visitors can shop for the latest popular brands in perfume, cosmetics, accessories, leather goods, and more. Apart from Korean brands and popular imported brands, visitors can also shop for specialty Korean products and folk crafts from all around the world.

Gwanghwamun Gukbap (광화문국밥)

14.2Km 2024-06-19

53 Sejong-daero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Gwanghwamun Gukbap is a dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant operated by Chef Park Chanil. Its distinctive feature lies in using only black pork loin and shoulder to enhance the flavor. The signature dish is the dwaeji gukbap, which boasts a mild, clean, and deep flavor. In addition to that, they also offer dwaeji suyuk (boiled pork slices) and pisundae (sundae with pork blood). Known for its authentic taste of rice soup and rich broth, it's a popular destination for many.

PungGyeong [Korea Quality] / 풍경 [한국관광 품질인증]

14.2Km 2023-05-02

32-6 , Seonggyungwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-7103-6993

PungGyeong, located opposite Sungkyunkwan Academy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a hanok-style guest house whose outer wall is painted with a stylish blue pine tree. The guest house is equipped with bedrooms and a kitchen/diner with a table. Residents can have toast for breakfast, and simple Korean meals are provided for guests staying more than two days. In the winter you can sample traditional Korean tea brewed by the owner.

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

14.2Km 2025-01-09

41-11, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-7525

Located near Deoksugung Palace, Jungmyeongjeon Hall is a red-brick modern Western-style building. It was built in 1899 as the imperial library of the Korean Empire. After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire in 1904, the place became the temporary residence of Emperor Gojong. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty), an illegal treaty forced by Japan, was signed in 1905. Its exhibition hall serves as a place for historical education.

Banhadang (반하당)

14.2Km 2024-02-15

36 Seongbuk-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Banhadang is a café located 20 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage site Changdeokgung Palace. Renovated from a hanok, it preserves the charm of hanok with open spaces, leaving only the pillars of the original structure. The signature menu includes a Strawberry latte made with homemade strawberry syrup and milk. During the summer season, the jeontong pat bingsu (traditional shaved ice with red beans), made with domestically sourced jujube and red bean, is also popular.

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