Kumkang Land Rover - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (CL종로지점(금강 랜드로바)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Kumkang Land Rover - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (CL종로지점(금강 랜드로바))

279.0M    2024-06-27

81, Jongro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Tapgol Park (탑골공원)

325.3M    2024-03-04

99, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-731-0534

Tapgol Park is the first modern park in Seoul. Having been the site of the Buddhist temple of Wongaksa Temple since 1467, the land was turned into a park in 1897. The park has a significant presence in Korean history, being the place where the March 1 Independence Movement began in 1919. One can find historical sites that hearken back to the struggle, such as the Palgakjeong Pavilion, the center of the movement; cultural heritage sites such as the Ten-story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple Site and the Stele for the Construction of Daewongaksa Temple at Wongaksa Temple Site; and monuments such as the independence movement relief plate, murals, the statue of Son Byeong-hee, and the statue of Han Yong-un.

Olive Young - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로점)

326.0M    2024-06-27

1F, 78, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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High - Anguk Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이엔드코리아 안국)

329.1M    2024-04-17

1F, 62-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

335.3M    2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Olens - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오렌즈 광화문)

335.2M    2024-04-18

1F, 82, Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Insa-dong (인사동)

340.1M    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.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

369.6M    2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

Tteulan Teahouse (뜰안)

374.8M    2024-12-10

Tteulan Teahouse is a cafe that really allows one to feel the tradition and flair of Korea. Tteulan has two entrances: one facing the wide alley and the other facing the smaller one. The smaller entrance is decorated like a garden, so it feels as if one is stepping into a land of fairy-tales. The café has a floor seating tables with traditional items like gadari soban (a table with legs that curve like a dog's legs), and jogakbo (a textile woven from several pieces of scrap cloth), all of which add to the traditional Korean aesthetic. The menu features ssanghwacha (medicinal herb tea known to help the immune system), a favorite among middle-aged and elderly Koreans; omija tea (omija is a tart berry that grows in East Asia known to be good for lung and bronchial health and boosts immunity); citrus tea (usually made with yuzu which is rich in vitamin C and said to help mitigate fatigue); and pour-over coffee. Traditional desserts include mugwort rice cake (rice cake with mugwort added for herbal flavor, best enjoyed with malt syrup), pumpkin rice cake, and roasted grain powder (a nutritious beverage made with a variety of powdered grain). It can be hard to find seating in the afternoon, so visitors are advised to avoid these hours if they seek to enjoy their drink in peace.

NKDB North Korean Human Rights Exhibition Hall (북한인권전시실)

387.8M    2025-11-13

393 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The NKDB North Korean Human Rights Exhibition Hall is a permanent exhibition space dedicated to North Korean human rights.  Although it is a small space, it resonates deeply and serves as a "dark tourism" site that records and testifies to the ongoing reality of human rights violations in North Korea. The North Korean Human Rights Information Center (NKDB), which operates this exhibition hall, is the organization that collects and archives the most extensive records of human rights concerning North Korean residents in the world. The testimonies and records presented here represent a living history, a story unfolding in the present, unavailable elsewhere. Through donated North Korean artifacts, including these records, visitors can glimpse the present-day North Korea and encounter artwork by North Korean defectors.