The Hanok (더 한옥)

546.1M 78 2021-03-24

75, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-743-7470

You can enjoy coffee in a hanok (Korean house). This restaurant's signature menu is coffee. This cafe is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Public Hanok Week (공공한옥주간)

551.7M 0 2024-05-24

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-1033

The Seoul Public Hanok Week offers a full week of traditional culture at public hanok, traditional Korean buildings, throughout Seoul and Bukchon Hanok Village. Experience the beauty, charm, and history of these buildings while learning about the eco-friendly impact of their construction and methods to apply this to our modern lives.

Samcheong-dong Street (삼청동길)

554.5M 138963 2021-06-16

107, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

It is said that Samcheong-dong was named from the story about the three "cheong" (Chinese character meaning clean) of the area, namely the mountain, water, and people. Another theory is that the origin of the region's name came from Samcheongjeon Hall where three tablets called "Taecheong," "Sangcheong," and "Okcheong," were set up based on Taoism. Samcheong-dong Street features a mixture of old scenes of hanok buildings with traditional beauty and modern scenes of galleries and cafés, creating a unique atmosphere. Visitors can feel the abundant cultural mood at every corner of the street through the art galleries, museums, antique shops, and quiet pathways.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

561.4M 154064 2022-12-14

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Go-un [Korea Quality] 고운 [한국관광 품질인증]

564.3M 0 2024-08-14

35-1, Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-504-0904-2464

Go-un, meaning "High Cloud," is a hanok stay atop a steep hill in Gahoe-dong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jeongno-gu, Seoul. The view from the house’s big windows takes in hanok tiled roofs, Seoul’s downtown, and Inwangsan Mountain - a vista that merges the past and the present. After enjoying Bukchon's attractions, entertainment, and food, guests can relax in the hanok’s half-body bath overlooking the yard (mugwort bath salts provided) - or enjoy a movie on the beam projector.

Kum Bak Yeon [Tax Refund Shop] (금박연)

568.5M 0 2024-06-27

24-12, Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Insa-dong (인사동)

571.8M 873652 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.