Insadong Shopping Street, Seoul (must see)
The abundance of wooden tea houses (nearly 40), boutique galleries and street vendors offering traditional Korean snacks makes Insa-dong street in Seoul a true magnet for visitors of the Korean capital. Alongside the free entertainment the area is famous for, Insa-dong is also one of the key destinations in the city for buying traditional Korean art, products and souvenirs, such as hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), traditional teas, pottery, and folk crafts.
There is a plethora of antique shops (more than 50), art galleries (80+), traditional stationery shops, handicraft shops, pottery and porcelain shops, bookstores, and art supply stores. On top of that, there are almost 100 restaurants specialized in traditional Korean cuisine. With such a variety on offer, one is really bound to be spoilt for choice here.
On Sundays the street turns pedestrian-only and is flooded with street performers, buskers and the lively crowds of young and old rushing to enjoy one of Seoul鈥檚 most exiting and creative neighborhoods. The tastefully decorated traditional teashops invite passers-by to relax in a calm zen-like atmosphere. For those interested in Korean traditional culture and crafts, Insa-dong is undoubtedly a must-see attraction which will leave imprint of Seoul in one's memory for the years to come.
There is a plethora of antique shops (more than 50), art galleries (80+), traditional stationery shops, handicraft shops, pottery and porcelain shops, bookstores, and art supply stores. On top of that, there are almost 100 restaurants specialized in traditional Korean cuisine. With such a variety on offer, one is really bound to be spoilt for choice here.
On Sundays the street turns pedestrian-only and is flooded with street performers, buskers and the lively crowds of young and old rushing to enjoy one of Seoul鈥檚 most exiting and creative neighborhoods. The tastefully decorated traditional teashops invite passers-by to relax in a calm zen-like atmosphere. For those interested in Korean traditional culture and crafts, Insa-dong is undoubtedly a must-see attraction which will leave imprint of Seoul in one's memory for the years to come.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seoul. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Insadong Shopping Street on Map
Sight Name: Insadong Shopping Street
Sight Location: Seoul, South Korea (See walking tours in Seoul)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Seoul, South Korea (See walking tours in Seoul)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Seoul, South Korea
Create Your Own Walk in Seoul
Creating your own self-guided walk in Seoul is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Insa-dong Walking Tour
Originating 500 years ago as a residential quarter for government officials, today's Insa-dong is a buzzing shopping and dining district in Seoul where the past meets the present. During the Japanese occupation of the country in the first half of the 20th century, wealthy Koreans were forced to move out and sell their belongings, at which point the district became a center of antique trading.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Bukchon Hanok Village Walk
Bukchon Hanok, the traditional Korean village in downtown Seoul, is famous for its well-preserved 600-year-old setting. Once home to the nation鈥檚 nobility, the village sits on a hill near the Changdeokgung Palace.
One notable attraction here is Baek In-je's House Museum, which provides insight into the life of a prominent Korean politician from the early 20th century. Meanwhile, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
One notable attraction here is Baek In-je's House Museum, which provides insight into the life of a prominent Korean politician from the early 20th century. Meanwhile, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Seoul Introduction Walking Tour
The bustling capital of South Korea, Seoul, seamlessly blends modern innovation with a more than 2,000-year history. Remarkably, until 1972, the city was claimed by North Korea as its de jure capital and even specified as such in its constitution.
Seoul was founded in 18 BC by the people of Baekje. The three ancient kingdoms of Korea 鈥� Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla 鈥� fought over its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Seoul was founded in 18 BC by the people of Baekje. The three ancient kingdoms of Korea 鈥� Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla 鈥� fought over its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
17 Uniquely Korean Souvenirs to Buy in Seoul
Back in the mid 20th century, a certain gentleman once spoke of Korea saying, it won't be possible to grow a rose in a waste bin. Certainly, one would hardly subscribe to his point of view today in every respect, given the image of contemporary South Korea and its capital city of Seoul in...