Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

Explanation

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.


Homepage

www.itaewon.or.kr


Information Use

Contact and Information : +82-2-797-7319

Parking facilities : Available (6 parking lots in the area)


More information

Restrooms
Restrooms available in 22 buildings, including hotels and shopping malls.

Available Facilities
Tourist information center, stores exclusively for foreigners, foreign restaurants, currency exchange, shopping mall, tourist restaurants, entertainment facilities, tourist hotels, etc.

Interpretation Services Offered
Tourist information centers offer travel maps in English, Japanese and Chinese.
Travel information is posted on the website in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Location

196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Tongyeong Suryuk Beach (수륙해수욕장)

Tongyeong Suryuk Beach (수륙해수욕장)

2024-12-20

Yeongun-ri, Sanyang-eup, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

Tongyeong Suryuk Beach is located on the eastern side of Mireukdo Island in Tongyeong, stretching about 550 meters along the coastline. The water is calm, shallow, and clear, making it ideal for family summer vacations. The beach is open for swimming from July to August and is equipped with convenient facilities such as restrooms and showers. Various events, including a beach volleyball tournament and a water show, are held every summer.

Tongyeong Ecological Forest (통영생태숲)

Tongyeong Ecological Forest (통영생태숲)

2024-12-20

1279 Inpyeong-dong, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

Located on Cheonamsan Mountain near the southwestern sea of Tongyeong, Tongyeong Ecological Forest is full of the Hinoki cypress trees. It features a walking trail surrounded by subtropical plants, a deck path through the woods, a resting forest, a children’s forest education center, an ecological playground, and a golden oak mushroom farm. Moreover, visitors can see rabbits and deer, admire small fishing boats passing through Tongyeong Port from the observatory, and explore the forest with a guide.

Tongyeong Night Sea Tour (통영밤바다 야경투어)

Tongyeong Night Sea Tour (통영밤바다 야경투어)

2024-12-20

269-20 Donam-ro, TongYeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

The Tongyeong Night Sea Tour is a 50-minute course on Tongyeong Water Taxi along the beautiful night sea of Tongyeong, offering a unique experience of the city at night. The tour is a different way of enjoying Tongyeong, passing by the Gangguan Port, Chungmugyo Bridge, Tongyeong Canal, and Tongyeongdaegyo Bridge. The guide shares interesting stories and explains about the city and its major landmarks, accompanied by soothing music. The water taxi departs from the Tongyeong Marine Sports Center.

Chungmugong Night Cruise (충무공유람선별빛투어)

Chungmugong Night Cruise (충무공유람선별빛투어)

2024-12-20

269-38 Donam-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

Chungmugong Night Cruise offers a magnificent and romantic view over the waters of Tongyeong. The "Starlight Tour" offers a chance to enjoy the city’s nightscape, while the "Yi Sun-sin Victory Marine Tour" takes you through the waters of Tongyeong, where the Battle of Hansan Island took place. Both tours operate daily. The "Fireworks & Starlight Tour" features a fireworks show onboard while you enjoy the night view of the city, operating on Saturdays and public holidays.

Cheongjuhyanggyo Confucian School (청주향교)

Cheongjuhyanggyo Confucian School (청주향교)

2024-12-20

81, Daeseong-ro 122beon-gil, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

Hyanggyo is a national educational institution from the Joseon dynasty that housed the tablets of esteemed Confucian scholars and held rituals in their honor. It consists of six hanok buildings, including the Daeseongjeon Hall, a space for rituals, and Myeongnyundang Hall, the space for education. Today, various Confucian cultural experience programs, such as Confucian student experiences, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy classes, are offered. They also provide accommodations for guests wishing to experience a "Hyanggyo Stay."

Earthen Fortification in Jeongbuk-dong (청주 정북동 토성)

Earthen Fortification in Jeongbuk-dong (청주 정북동 토성)

2024-12-20

353-2 Jeongbuk-dong, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

The Earthen Fortification in Jeongbuk-dong was built around the third century BC on a flat land next to the Mihogang River. Its original square shape, with a perimeter of 650 meters, remains well-preserved, featuring gate remnants on the east, west, south, and north sides. The south and north gates include offset walls, designed to prevent enemies from entering directly. The protruding sections at the four corners and midpoints of the walls were strategically built for attacking and monitoring enemies from the sides.

Tongiljeon Ginkgo Road (통일전 은행나무길)

2024-12-20

6 Chilburam-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Tongiljeon Ginkgo Road is a tree-lined road approximately 2 kilometers long in front of the Tongiljeon Hall, a building erected to commemorate the unification of the Three Kingdoms under Silla. The street is one of the best autumn destinations in Gyeongju, with ginkgo trees lined up on both sides of the road. During fall, the trees create a beautiful scene with their brilliant yellow leaves. The road is perfect for a leisurely drive or a walk, and from Tongiljeon Hall, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire ginkgo tree-lined path.

Cheongseokgul Cave (옥화1경 청석굴)

2024-12-20

12-16 Unam 3-gil, Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

Cheongseokgul Cave is a natural cave where prehistoric humans lived, with artifacts from the Paleolithic era, such as choppers and chopping tools (hammers), points, and hand axes, discovered inside. The place stays cool even during hot summer, and is currently home to bats and golden-capped fruit bats. Nearby attractions are an artificial waterfall and a sky observatory with a valley in front of the cave available for water activities and kayaking.

Jwasuyeong Bridge (좌수영다리)

2024-12-20

13 Goso 3-gil, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do

Jwasuyeong Bridge connects Jinnamgwan Hall, the central base of the Joseon Navy, and the Monument for the Naval Victories of Yi Sun-sin. Jwasuyeong was one of the military bases of the Joseon Navy. The walls of the bridge are adorned with depictions of Admiral Yi's achievements and stories, allowing visitors to appreciate them as they cross. Continued to walk after the bridge will lead to Angel Mural Alley, making it an excellent spot for further sightseeing.

Jeongancheon Eco Park (정안천생태공원)

2024-12-20

257 Uidang-ro, Uidang-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do

Jeongancheon Eco Park, located along the Jeongancheon Stream, has well-maintained bike paths and walking trails offering beautiful scenery. The park features a variety of flowers and plants throughout the seasons. Most stunning of all are the tulips and flower lawns in full bloom in spring and the fragrant pink and white lotuses in summer. The 500-meter-long walkway lined with metasequoia trees is beautiful throughout the year and is a popular photo spot in Gongju.