Insa-dong (인사동)

1.9Km 2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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.

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

1.9Km 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.

Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

1.9Km 2025-12-16

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Makercity Sewoon is Korea's first comprehensive electronics market, established in 1968 and has a 40-year history. As a mecca in the urban electronics industry area located in Jongno, the center of Seoul, you can purchase various electronic products here.
Since 2014, Seoul's urban regeneration project has been underway, and a pedestrian overpass, rooftop observatory, plaza, and Makers Cube, where you can experience the 4th industrial revolution, have been created to provide unique attractions.

◎ Travel Information to Discover Hallyu’s Charm - K-Drama "Vincenzo (2021)"
"Vincenzo" depicts the story of Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki), an Italian mafia lawyer who teams up with the tenants of “Geumga Plaza” to protect a hidden stash of gold in the building from a powerful force. The building appearing as “Geumga Plaza” in the drama is none other than Seoul's Sewoon Plaza. Its retro-style aesthetic adds a unique ambience to the show and makes its scenes even more memorable.

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

1.9Km 2025-11-11

Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Songhyeon Green Plaza, located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongno, is a space for culture and rest. The site was formerly used as housing for Shiksan Bank during Japanese rule. After Korea’s liberation, it served as a residence for the US Embassy and military personnel. Later in 1997, it was returned to the Korean government but remained unused for years. In 2022, the ownership was transferred to the Korean House and Land Corporation and then to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which redeveloped it into a green plaza and opened it to the public. Upon entering the plaza, visitors are greeted by a spacious lawn adorned with flowers during the blooming season. The plaza is connected to the nearby tourist attractions through shortcuts cutting through it, including Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insa-dong, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관&국립민속박물관 어린이박물관)

2.0Km 2025-06-19

37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea, located within Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcases artifacts related to Korean traditional culture. This interactive museum allows children to experience and learn about various aspects of Korean traditional clothing, food, society, culture, and games firsthand. Especially catering to children from Asian countries, there is a service for renting items, and reservations are required for admission.

Donga Stationery (동아완구)

2.0Km 2024-09-11

5 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Donga Stationery is a stationery store located along Changsin-dong Stationery Street. The stop offers a full range of stationery and character goods and is popular among children and adults alike. The shop is located right by Dongdaemun Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 4, making it easily accessible.

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

2.0Km 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.

Bangsan Wholesale Market (방산 종합시장)

2.0Km 2025-10-23

20, Dongho-ro 37-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Bangsan Market is a wholesale market with approximately 250 stores that sells packaging and promotional materials. The market was popular with patissiers in the past and is currently more famous for being a bakery street.

Insadong Cultural Street (인사동 문화의 거리)

2.0Km 2023-12-26

Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City

Insadong Cultural Street is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all around the world, thanks to its numerous art galleries, restaurants serving Korean table d’hote, traditional teahouses, and street vendors lining the streets. Its most recognizable feature is the use of Hangeul (Korean script) in storefronts, which allows the visitors to really see just what makes this place so special. Unlike the nearby Ikseon-dong Hanok Street, Insadong Cultural Street has larger streets with wider stores, so it is much easier to traverse. On evenings and weekends, one can find buskers performing on the side of the road.

Alive Museum (Insa-dong Branch) [박물관은 살아있다(인사동점)]

2.0Km 2024-03-15

(B1 and B2, Daeil Building), 12, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Alive Museum is a media theme park located in Insa-dong. The exhibition here is made up of optical illusion art, large objet, and digital media pieces, which allow you to delve into the land of mystery. It is made up of different sections like the Insadong Photo Studio, Game Village, and the Toy Village.

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