Sangchonjae House (상촌재)

962.1M 2025-11-06

12-11 , Jahamun-ro 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sangchonjae House, run by the Jongno Cultural Foundation, is a traditional hanok cultural space located in Sejong Village, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, and operates various cultural Korean programs such as exhibitions, educational experiences, and events to fully experience Korea's four seasons. The name Sangchonjae was conceived from the old name of Sejong Village, the western part of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the birthplace of King Sejong. The house reflects the lifestyle of an ordinary peasant during the Joseon dynasty. It consists of three buildings: the main building, the guesthouse known as sarangchae, and the annex. There is an experience center indoors offering tea ceremonies and traditional game experiences.

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

994.5M 2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3668-2300

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.

Insa-dong (인사동)

1.0Km 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.

Hanok Guesthouse Dongchonchae (한옥 게스트하우스 동촌재)

1.0Km 2024-12-23

21-10 , Jahamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8561-5227, +82-10-9127-5227

Dongchonjae is a hanok guesthouse in Seochon, Jongno, Seoul. The the Anchae(women's quarters) consists of four sleeping rooms and a cheongmaru lounge space, plus kitchen and toilet. (There are also shared toilets in the yard.) Cooking is not allowed, but guests are welcome to bring in prepared food. A free breakfast is provided. Guests can watch movies in the yard or main hall, and can use the refrigerator and washing machine. A guided night tour of Seoul City Wall is offered, as is a tea ceremony, and rice-cake making experience.

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

1.1Km 2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1861

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.

Daeo Bookstore (대오서점)

1.1Km 2025-11-05

55 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Daeo Bookstore is the oldest bookstore in Seoul that has been maintained in one place since it opened in 1951. Recently, it has been refurbished as a cultural space with a cafe, where one can enjoy coffee, exhibitions, and performances while looking at the yard. Visitors who just want to browse can purchase a souvenir postcard set for admission. Taking a closer look at books that feel the years and objects that have traces of use, they appear to come rather new.

Sejong Village Food Street (세종마을 음식문화거리)

1.1Km 2025-06-17

Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Previously known as Geumcheongyo Market, it was officially named Sejong Village Food Street in 2011, as King Sejong was born in this village. The street is full of lively energy and features both long-standing restaurants, also known as nopo in Korean, and recently established trendy eateries. Its convenient location and inviting atmosphere make it a popular place to visit.

STAY dayoff (스테이 데이 오프)

1.1Km 2024-12-23

6 , Jahamun-ro 1da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-504-0904-2406

Stay Day Off is a hanok stay just off Jahamun-no - known locally as ‘Food Street’ - in Seochon Village to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. It’s a 5-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3, so transport access is good. The main building comprises two bedrooms with queen-size bed, a living room and kitchen, and two bathrooms. The annex building is rather special: it has a bath and sauna behind a window wall with a fine view of the hanok garden. There’s a 10% discount for guests staying more than two nights during the week.

NUHADANG(누하당)

1.1Km 2024-06-20

49-7 , Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3391-0010, +82-10-4347-5768

Nuhadang is a traditional hanok with over 100 years of history. It is located in a quiet spot in Seochon, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where many scholars and artists have lived since Joseon times. Rooms are wallpapered with eco-friendly Korean paper, and thick cotton blankets and cypress pillows will sooth travelers' fatigue. In the yard and small garden you can experience traditional Korean culture: janggu drumming, the game of yunnori, and Hanbok clothing. Walking the streets of Seochon - past Yun Dong-ju's hostel, Park No-su's art museum, and Lee Sang's house - you can still feel the atmosphere of old Seoul.

SOSO House (소소하우스)

1.1Km 2024-12-13

16-5 , Pirundae-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5286-0704

Soso House is a private hanok stay located in Seochon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Once you enter the gate, you are greeted by a small yard paved with stones and an alpine apple tree. There is a stool on one side of the yard where you can enjoy a cup of tea on a sunny day. In the daecheong maru (wooden-floored hall, there is a master bedroom on one side and a kitchen on the other, and the master bedroom has an attic. Cooking is allowed, and complimentary breakfast includes toast, salad, and coffee, as well as complimentary homemade fruit syrup and tea bags. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul Museum of History, and Park No-Soo Art Museum are all within walking distance.

Sangchonjae House (상촌재) - Area information - Korea travel information