Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

3.8Km 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.

Beaker - Hannam Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (비이커 한남점)

3.8Km 2024-04-18

241, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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CU - Changjeon Forest Road Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (cu창전숲길점)

3.8Km 2024-06-27

25, Wausan-ro 32-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Aeum (에움)

3.8Km 2024-03-26

36 Seogang-ro 11-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Aeum is a fusion and traditional dessert cafe in a quiet alley between Sogang University and Hongik University in Seoul. Wooden interiors with muted colors create a neat atmosphere, and there are no signboards or menus on the outside or inside, so visitors can enjoy drinks and desserts in a quiet and relaxing setting. Coffee drinks, including pour-over coffee, are available, and there are many desserts as it's a traditional dessert cafe. The cafe also created a new dessert menu to cater to today's tastes after launching a pop-up store.
Raised rice cake, a traditional Korean dessert, and shaved ice are especially famous. The raised rice cake comes in cherry pepper, sesame, matcha, and chestnut flavors. The shaved ice comes as sweet red bean, apple cinnamon, dried persimmon, and sorbet flavors. Recipes and plating are designed to make Korean desserts easy for modern people to enjoy.

Seungjin Toy (승진완구)

3.8Km 2025-01-06

30, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-747-1900

Seungjin Toy is a toy store that carries almost every kind of toy imaginable from stuffed animals to character dolls and much more. What makes this store even more attractive to many customers is that their merchandise is, on average, 30% cheaper than that of their competitors.

Olive Young - Sinyongsan Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 신용산역)

3.8Km 2024-04-17

#101, and #102, 95, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (홍제폭포)

3.8Km 2024-11-07

Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall is located along Hongjecheon Stream in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The waterfall was built in 2011 and is 25 meters tall and 60 meters wide. Despite being a man-made waterfall, the design and construction were so well-done that many find it hard to believe it wasn't a naturally formed waterfall. The area around the waterfall features various places for citizens and visitors to relax, while there are many cafes and cultural spaces in the area to make a visit more enjoyable.

Dongdaemun Stationery Store Street (동대문 문구완구거리)

3.8Km 2024-03-15

21-1, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1330

Dongdaemun Stationery Store Street houses nearly 120 stores selling stationery products like notebooks, crayons, pencils, backpacks, as well as other products like children’s gifts, decorations, and party products. Products can be found at prices nearly 30 to 40% lower than the consumer products, which can be lowered even further when buying in bulk. Products past the season may see the prices drop by more than half.

CheongKwanJang [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장)

3.8Km 2024-04-19

93, Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

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The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

3.8Km 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.

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