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

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

12.4Km    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.

Tongdwaeji Duruchigi (통돼지두루치기)

Tongdwaeji Duruchigi (통돼지두루치기)

12.4Km    2021-03-18

252-6, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-9290

This is a Korean cuisine located in Dongdaemun Gate, Seoul. It is also famous for uruchigi (Korean bouillabaisse) made by stir-frying pork and vegetables in gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce. The best menu at this restaurant is pork and kimchi stew.

Usmania (우스마니아)

Usmania (우스마니아)

12.4Km    2017-10-10

34, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-7155

Usmania is a Pakistani restaurant located in Itaewon. The restaurant imports all its ingredients from Pakistan (except for its meats and vegetables) in order to make the dishes as authentic as possible. Dishes are cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven used in just about every household in Pakistan.

CheongKwanJang - Dongdaemun Market Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 동대문시장)

CheongKwanJang - Dongdaemun Market Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 동대문시장)

12.4Km    2024-04-19

252, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Arts Center (예술의전당)

12.4Km    2025-01-17

2406 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Arts Center is the representative art complex of Korea. It is comprised of the Opera House, Concert Hall, Art Gallery, Calligraphy Museum, Art Material Hall, and an outdoor stage. You can enjoy various performances and exhibitions all in one site.

The Opera House and Concert Hall consist of a total of five performance halls offering an average of 800 performances ever year, whereas the Art Gallery and Calligraphy Museum has seven exhibition halls providing various exhibitions throughout the year. The outdoor stage also provides various genres of performances all year round.

Grand Hyatt Seoul Ice Skating Rink (그랜드하얏트 서울 아이스링크)

Grand Hyatt Seoul Ice Skating Rink (그랜드하얏트 서울 아이스링크)

12.4Km    2019-06-14

322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-799-8113

The Grand Hyatt Hotel's beautiful ice skating rink has been featured in a number of Korean TV commercials and dramas. Skating with an open-view of Hangang River and the Gangnam area makes for a romantic dating spot for couples and a perfect place to enjoy winter sports for visitors with friends and families. Also, a night view of the center of the city is available from Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

12.4Km    2024-05-16

Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2290-7111

Cheonggye Plaza was built on Sejong-ro Street, where Cheonggyecheon Stream begins. It was built between Dong-A Ilbo, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Sindap Railroad Bridge, with a length of 160 meters, a x_width of 50 meters, and a total area of 6,962 meters squared. The plaza is decorated with fountains, waterfalls, and walking paths. It was created as a place for meetings, harmony, peace, and unification, to celebrate the significance of the restoration of Cheonggyecheon Stream. A miniaturized version of Cheonggyecheon Stream is displayed here, providing an overview of the restored stream. There are also interpretive panels about the 22 bridges that cross Cheonggyecheon stream. Fountains of various shapes create beautiful scenery. Cheonggyecheon Stream is accessible from the square through stairs on the left and Cheonggye Trail on the right. There is also an 18-meter tunnel on the Cheonggye Trail, providing a unique experience for citizens entering Cheonggyecheon Stream from the plaza. After constructing Cheonggyecheon Plaza, the Seoul Metropolitan Government made it a car-free street on public holidays so that the plaza, waterside area, and streets could be used as cultural spaces for citizens to relax. A spectacular sight is created by three-color lights illuminating the fountains and a two-tiered waterfall coming down from a x_height of four meters. Palseokdam, made of eight stones from eight provinces in Korea, was laid along the waterfall's sides.

Hilton Tailor (힐튼양복점)

12.4Km    2016-08-19

188-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-792-1196


For over 33 years, Hilton Tailor has served prominent customers with exceptional suits and shirts. Once a customer becomes a patron, he can order shirts or suits by phone or email. Suits are tailored to fit each customer's physical shape and preferences. Trendy suits are handmade as well. Suits in Hiton Tailor are known for their comfort and durability. It is one of the most famous shops in Itaewon with prominent customers from all over the world.

G-Cosmo - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (지코스모 이태원)

G-Cosmo - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (지코스모 이태원)

12.4Km    2024-04-23

195, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Suitsupply - Gyeongnidangil Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (수트서플라이 경리단길점)

Suitsupply - Gyeongnidangil Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (수트서플라이 경리단길점)

12.4Km    2024-04-18

89, Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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