Hottracks - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (핫트랙스 광화문점) - Area information

Hottracks - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (핫트랙스 광화문점)

7.4Km 2024-04-23

1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Insa-dong (인사동)

7.4Km 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.

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

7.4Km 2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Jeongdong Theater (국립 정동극장)

7.4Km 2024-06-19

43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-751-1500

Jeongdong Theater is located along Deoksugung Stone Wall Path and serves as a cultural hub for local citizens. Opened in 1995, Jeongdong Theater is historically significant as it was established to restitute the legacy of Wongaksa, the first modern theater in Korea. Jeongdong Theater features numerous critically-acclaimed productions, such as “Traditional Art Performance,” “Masters Exhibition,” and “Art Frontier,” as well as programs like “Art Stage at Noon” that are geared toward the general public. As a result, Jeongdong Theater has become one of Korea's representative traditional arts performance theaters and was designated as a Seoul Future Heritage in 2015.

The theater successfully held the performance “Miso” in 2010, featuring the traditional musical "Love Songs from Chunhyang," written and created by Jeongdong Theater. The musical attracted many international visitors from all over the world, passing on Korean cultural values and beauty, as well as gaining the attention of critics worldwide. In addition, the theater also produced "The 2nd Story of Miso: Baebijang-jeon," offering a modern interpretation of the fundamental values found in Korea's culture and art.

Chungdong First Methodist Church (서울 정동교회)

7.4Km 2020-06-25

46, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-0001

Chungdong Church, having being completed in 1897, was the first Christian church that was built after the spread of Protestantism in Korea. The church was founded in 1887 as a small worship house under the name Bethel by Henry Gerhard Appenzeller, an American missionary. As the number of followers increased, the building underwent construction and officially became a church in 1895. Chungdong Church is the only remaining church building from the 19th century. The church was expanded once more in 1926, changing its from a cross-shaped building to a square one. The expansion was made by adding walls using bricks as not to damage the original building structure. The architecture was built in a simplified version of an American gothic house with arched window frames.

Soma Museum of Art (소마미술관)

7.4Km 2023-04-13

424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-425-1077

Soma Museum of Art was opened in September 2004 as a cultural space amid the nature of Seoul Olympic Park. The museum displays over 222 sculptures, and offers a variety of cultural and educational programs, including the nation's first drawing center and archive.

Olympic Park Stadium (올림픽공원 경기장)

7.4Km 2021-06-11

424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-410-1114

Olympic Park is an expansive outdoor area for Seoul residents to enjoy, offering facilities and venues for a range of events including athletic competitions, concerts and other performances. The park houses athletic facilities including the gymnasium of the ’88 Seoul Olympic Games, a fencing stadium, weightlifting stadium, swimming pool and tennis courts. Moreover, those venues are multi-purpose facilities that can host a wide range of events and performances.

Seoul Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification (서울 몽촌토성)

7.4Km 2024-03-12

424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2147-2814

Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortification is an ancient earthen fortress built during the Hanseong period of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje (BC 18-AD 660). It is believed to have been constructed in the 3rd to 4th centuries. Utilizing the natural advantages of the Hangang River, it served defensive purposes with its trench and log barrier. Excavated relics from the Baekje era are on display at the Seoul Baekje Museum. The site is situated within the Olympic Park in Songpa, Seoul.

Dongwha Duty Free Shop (동화면세점)

7.4Km 2021-06-04

149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-399-3000

Dongwha Duty Free offers only the world’s best brands for sale. Visitors can shop for the latest popular brands in perfume, cosmetics, accessories, leather goods, and more. Apart from Korean brands and popular imported brands, visitors can also shop for specialty Korean products and folk crafts from all around the world.

Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs (새남터기념성당)

7.4Km 2020-03-31

80-8, Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-716-1791

When taking the subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station, you will notice a tall and distinct hanok (traditional Korean architecture) building; this is Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs. Construction of the building began in 1984, the year of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism in Korea, and was completed after three years.

Also called "Nodeul" and "Sanamgi," Saenamteo was used as a military training ground during the early Joseon period. It was also the place where convicted felons and the Sayuksin (the six martyred ministers) were executed.

Many Catholics were executed here during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, the Gihae Persecution of 1839, the Byeongo Persecution of 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. Among those executed were 11 priests including the first Korean priest Kim Taegon (Andrew), the first Chinese priest that came to Korea Ju Mun Mo (Jacobus), the first French priest that came to Korea Bishop Imbert and other Catholics including Hyeon Seok-mun. There is also an altar here where the remains of nine Catholic saints are enshrined.

Hottracks - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (핫트랙스 광화문점) - Area information - Korea travel information