Insa-dong (인사동) - Area information - Korea travel information

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong (인사동)

398.7M    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.

Pyunkang Yul Flagship & Tea house (편강 율 플래그십&티하우스)

Pyunkang Yul Flagship & Tea house (편강 율 플래그십&티하우스)

400.7M    2025-12-10

35-4 Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Pyunkang Yul Flagship & Tea house is a cafe in Bukchon Hanok Village near Gyeongbokgung Palace. The first floor is a teahouse where one can enjoy Korean tea infused with traditional ingredients and delightful desserts with a view of the cafe's serene garden, and the second floor is a flagship store of Pyeongang Yul, a K-beauty brand known for integrating hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) in their skincare products. The third floor features a rooftop that offers a sweeping view of the Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

421.8M    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.

Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)

Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)

429.1M    2021-07-29

54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8449

The Kukje Galley has been committed to presenting the work of significant Korean and international contemporary artists to the public since 1982. The gallery has established itself as a leading venue for international exhibits such as Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, Robert Mangold, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Edward Ruscha, Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, and Bill Viola, attracting enthusiastic responses from both the public and the media.

The gallery has placed emphasis on collaborations between artists, galleries, and art dealers around the world and nurturing upcoming artists by sponsoring their artwork and giving them international exposure.

Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

438.7M    2022-10-26

24-1, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-2430

The Africa Museum of Art was established with the purpose of hosting various art festivals and providing the grounds for researching various art themes. A major principle of the gallery is to promote works of art that actively attempt to explore the human mind.

Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum (이리자 한복전시관)

448.3M    2022-08-08

20, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-9477

The Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum displays the traditional clothing worn in Korea from birth to death. All hanbok displayed at the museum are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja herself, who has over 40 years of experience.

853 (팔오삼)

853 (팔오삼)

448.6M    2024-03-15

16 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-8832-0853

853 is a pork barbecue restaurant located in a renovated hanokin Insa-dong, offering various cuts of pork such as shoulder, belly, blade-end fatback, and pork neck. They use thick cuts of domestically sourced pork and grill them to perfection, ensuring they are juicy and flavorful. Customers can enjoy dipping their meat in one of four sauces: Himalayan rock salt, mustard seeds and wasabi, salted cutlassfish intestines, and barley mixed paste. Their flying fish roe riceball mixed with pickled radish salad, burdock root, flying fish roe, perilla leaves, and mayonnaise pairs perfectly with the meat.

SAINT JAMES SAMCHEONG[Korea Quality]/세인트 제임스 삼청[한국관광 품질인증]

SAINT JAMES SAMCHEONG[Korea Quality]/세인트 제임스 삼청[한국관광 품질인증]

465.9M    2024-06-26

78 , Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-742-4628(extension number 207)

The Saint James Samcheong store opened in July 2016 in Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The store exemplifies the quiet yet bustling atmosphere of the Samcheong-dong district, and is well-known for its marine styling. It sells men’s, women's and children's wear, plus shoes, bags and fashion accessories. Featured brands include SAINT JAMES (France), BUDDY (Japan), VEJA (France), SOLUDOS (USA), and BRONTE (Netherlands).

Saint James - Samcheong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (세인트제임스 삼청)

Saint James - Samcheong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (세인트제임스 삼청)

465.9M    2024-04-23

B2F, 124, Singomae-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

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