Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

4.8Km    2024-11-27

196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors.

The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as many international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has become a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products in particular are famous. This is a go-to place for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shops selling clothes and bags, as well as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,000 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous in the district is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops selling furniture and antiques stretch from Hamilton Hotel toward Bogwang-ro.

Travelers can taste authentic cuisine and experience culture from around the globe on World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants operated by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into culturally diverse. Various performances and events are held in the area. In particular, Itaewon Global Village Festival, held every October, is a famous festival. Tourists can pay in US dollars, Japanese yen, or another currency freely. In addition, visitors can use various languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese with the sellers.

Volvik [Tax Refund Shop] (볼빅)

Volvik [Tax Refund Shop] (볼빅)

4.8Km    2024-08-20

315, Dongsomun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

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The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

4.8Km    2025-04-08

11 Usadan-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon aims to rediscover Seoul through creativity and inspiration. The overall design of the hotel is inspired by French avant-garde, using a variety of objects and props to create an artistic and stylish atmosphere. The hotel has Collection T room type, a twin bedroom; Collection D room type, a double bedroom; and Collection S room type, a single bedroom. On the first floor of the hotel is a guest lobby and a pasta restaurant. The hotel's parking lot is limited in space, and therefore guests are advised to use a nearby public parking lot.

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (홍제폭포)

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (홍제폭포)

4.9Km    2024-11-07

Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall is located along Hongjecheon Stream in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The waterfall was built in 2011 and is 25 meters tall and 60 meters wide. Despite being a man-made waterfall, the design and construction were so well-done that many find it hard to believe it wasn't a naturally formed waterfall. The area around the waterfall features various places for citizens and visitors to relax, while there are many cafes and cultural spaces in the area to make a visit more enjoyable.

Itaewon Shopping Street (이태원 쇼핑거리)

Itaewon Shopping Street (이태원 쇼핑거리)

4.9Km    2025-03-29

Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-7319

Itaewon Shopping Street is a 1.4-kilometer-long road located near Itaewon Station. There is an enormous variety of shops, entertainment venues, and restaurants lined along both sides of the street. As the neighborhood has a reputation as a mini melting pot in Seoul where languages other than Korean are widely spoken, it is one of the most visited places by international visitors. It has become a gateway for many international visitors to receive services and information on basic tourist needs such as accommodations, shopping, tourist attractions, and more.

Bukhansan National Park (Seoul District) (북한산국립공원(서울))

Bukhansan National Park (Seoul District) (북한산국립공원(서울))

4.9Km    2024-11-27

262 Bogungmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-909-0497

Bukhansan Mountain was officially designated as a national park in 1983. Bukhansan National Park covers both Bukhansan and Dobongsan Mountains, and spans a total area of 80.699 ㎢. At the top of Bukhansan Mountain are Baegundae Terrace (835.6 m), Insubong Peak (810.5 m) and Mangyeongdae Terrace (799.5 m), which gave the mountain the nickname "Samgaksan" or the "three-horned mountain." The mountain had other names: Sambongsan (mountain with three peaks), Hwasan (flower mountain), and Buaak (mountain shaped like a person giving a baby a piggyback ride). The current name, Bukhansan, was given after the Bukhansanseong Fortress was built under King Sukjong of the Joseon dynasty.

King Sejong The Great Museum (세종대왕박물관)

King Sejong The Great Museum (세종대왕박물관)

4.9Km    2024-03-08

56, Hoegi-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-969-8851

King Sejong The Great Museum is a cultural complex located in the heart of Seoul, near Gwanghwamun Plaza.The Hangeul Room exhibits documents published during the reign of King Sejong, the Science Room displays Cheugugi and celestial planisphere, and the Korean Traditional Music Room showcases various traditional Korean musical instruments. The Biography Room features Portrait of King Sejong and paintings depicting scenes from his life. Outdoors, there are statues of King Sejong, the  scahe sundial, the clepsydra, and Cheugugi.

Severance Hospital (연세대학교 의과대학 세브란스병원)

5.0Km    2025-10-23

50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

THE FIRST & THE BEST

As the first Western-style hospital in Korea, and with over 140 years of history, Severance Hospital (Gwanghyewon) has been leading the medical industry in Korea since its foundation in 1885.
Dedicated to improving the quality of medical services through specialization, Severance Hospital has the distinction of being the first hospital in Korea to operate six specialized hospitals: the Dental Hospital, Cancer Center, Rehabilitation Hospital, Cardiovascular Hospital, Children's Hospital, and Eye Hospital.

In 2023, Severance Hospital achieved a world first by performing 40,000 robotic surgeries and introduced a new paradigm in cancer treatment by bringing Carbon Ion Therapy to Korea for the first time.

As a global leader in advanced medical technology and patient-centered services, Severance Hospital was the first medical institution in Korea to receive JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation and has ranked first in the medical service sector of the NCSI (National Customer Satisfaction Index) for 14 consecutive years.

Yonsei University Dental Hospital (연세대학교 치과대학병원)

5.0Km    2025-11-21

50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Since November 1915, when Dr. William J. Scheifley established the Department of Dentistry at Severance Union Medical School, officially introducing Western dental medicine to Korea, Yonsei University Dental Hospital has maintained its status as the nation's first and foremost dental institution for over 100 years. Notably, Yonsei University Dental Hospital, equipped with the finest medical professionals, state-of-the-art facilities, and a well-coordinated collaborative system among departments, excels in the treatment and prevention of oral and maxillofacial diseases while prioritizing the happiness and well-being of its patients. It stands as the premier dental hospital in Korea.

Itaewon Antiques Street (이태원 앤틱 가구 거리)

Itaewon Antiques Street (이태원 앤틱 가구 거리)

5.0Km    2025-04-11

109-1 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon Antiques Street was formed around the late 1960s, when a group of antique dealerships from Asia, Europe, and North America settled in the district. This 1km-long street is home to antique dealers offering antique sofa, chairs, and tables. Some shops also offer antique decorations, accessories, and clothing. It is a famous shopping district with its own unique ambience from that of Seoul. During spring and autumn, Itaewon Antique Festival takes place, allowing visitors to shop and enjoy cultural performances.