Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리) - Area information - Korea travel information

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

13.5Km    2025-03-16

29 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As of today, there are approximately 70 shops in the Insa-dong area that sell antique arts. Some of the products they sell include antique artworks, porcelains, woodcrafts, and metalwork. Visitors may even find rare and valuable products such as earthenware from the Silla period or white porcelain used in the Joseon dynasty. Each shop is a specialty store, authorized to sell product types that are of their expertise, ranging from antique furniture and traditional artworks to handcrafted items.

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

13.5Km    2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone stretches from Seorin-dong to Changsin-dong between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jong-ro. It includes Youth Street, Gwangjang Market, Sewoon Electronics Department Store, lighting stores, pharmacy & medical device stores, badge stores, Stamp Street, Stationery · Toy Market, Aquarium Street, Shoes Market, and other markets totalling to approximately 14,000 shops. Nearby attractions include modern high-story buildings as well as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Unhyeongung Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong, merging traditions, modernism, culture, and markets alike.

Thought to be at the heart of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream is located in the dense cultural area of Seoul where various press networks, organizations, bookstores and other major corporations are situated. Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream is a famous activity for tourists. Also, the area is the venue for the Seoul Lantern Festival every winter. Keeping its traditional scene including narrow alleys, old-fashioned hanok buildings and various stores still fully intact, the tourist zone has enough fun places for sightseeing as well as tasty restaurants in every corner for a more enjoyable visit.

Dream Forest (북서울 꿈의숲)

Dream Forest (북서울 꿈의숲)

13.5Km    2023-10-19

173 Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

Dream Forest, previously known as Odong Neighborhood Park, is located in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. The park is surrounded by cherry blossom trees, and the northern section is filled with maple trees, making the park especially attractive in spring and fall. The Changnyeongwigung Ritual House (Registered Cultural Heritage) has been restored with traditional landscaping such as a pond, pavilion and waterfall created nearby to double the genuine beauty of a traditional Korean park. Major attractions of the park include Wolyeongji Pond, Grass Square, Wolgwangpokpo Falls, Aewoljeong Pavilion, Chilbokji Falls, Event Garden, Children’s Gallery, Wild Grass Garden, Deer Ranch, Exploring Path, Forest Rest, and a water park. The slanted hillside which served as sledding slopes is now a complex cultural space with Buk-Seoul Art Center that houses a fantastic-looking observatory, performance hall, book café, gallery, restaurant, jumping fountain, and children’s playground.

Choi Sunu House (최순우 옛집)

Choi Sunu House (최순우 옛집)

13.5Km    2021-12-21

9, Seongbuk-ro 15-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The Choi Sunu House is the old residence of Hyegok Choi Sunu (1916-1984), who lived in this house from 1976 until the day he passed away. The house is designated as Korea’s Registered Cultural Property. Choi Sunu was a leading art historian who served as the director of the National Museum of Korea. He devoted his life to rediscovering the beauty of Korean art and made many academic accomplishments in the areas of Korean ceramics, traditional woodcraft, and the history of painting.
The house has been open to the public as the Hyegok Choi Sunu Memorial Hall since 2004. The memorial hall displays Choi Sunu’s relics as a permanent exhibition and holds special exhibitions in the fall as well as cultural programs every spring and fall.

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

13.5Km    2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hyangnamu or 'Aromatic Tree' in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be about 700 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. It stands 12m in x_height, measures 5.9m in girth around the roots, and has branches spreading in all four directions. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

13.5Km    2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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.

Ichon Hangang Park (이촌한강공원)

Ichon Hangang Park (이촌한강공원)

13.5Km    2025-10-23

62 Ichon-ro 72-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Ichon Hangang Park is built along the Hangang Park in Yongsan. From the park, one can see the Hangang River up close, and one can also find sports facilities like soccer fields, jokgu fields, inline skating rink, water sports facilities, bicycle paths, as well as a nature learning center built around a restored wetland and a lawn. One can follow the Hangangdaegyo Bridge to enter into the Nodeulseom Island, an island in the middle of the river.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - TV series "Sisyphus: The Myth"
This park was featured in the TV series "Sisyphus: The Myth" as the setting where Seo Hae (played by Park Shin-hye) reflected on bittersweet memories with her father. Its expansive grounds make it an ideal spot for leisure activities such as walking, picnicking, and cultural events.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관)

13.6Km    2024-03-04

11-4, Insadong 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located in Insa-dong. It has six exhibition rooms, an atelier, an outdoor exhibition area, and a traditional tea house. It hosts outdoor concerts in spring and fall, and Q&A sessions with authors can also be found as well. The traditional tea house offers about 15 types of traditional Korean tea in a space that overlooks the garden.

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

13.6Km    2025-06-19

(4-6th floor, Maru Art Center), 35-4 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and group experience programs.

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

13.6Km    2025-10-23

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ssamzigil is an Insa-dong landmark and a shopping mall specializing in crafts. It is a place where the traditions of Korea come together with its present. Follow the paths that lead seamlessly from the lower floors to the upper floors and browse the small craft shops that inhabit the floors. You can find both works of traditional craft and contemporary craft here. Some craft shops also offer craft experiences, and one can also find restaurants and galleries within the complex.