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Pandemic Travel Update: After two years of being largely closed to foreign nationals, South Korea finally has reopened to vaccinated and even unvaccinated travelers. However, pre-departure and arrival testing as well as other conditions apply. If you are not in Seoul already, be sure to check this helpful guide from Korean Air for up-to-the-minute details related to your specific departure location. Double check to make sure that specific attractions of interest are open for the dates of your visit, too.

Although Insadong (인사동) can trace its roots back to the Joseon dynasty, it became famous for selling antiques during the Imperial Japan era and became known for its art galleries starting in the 1970s. In 1987 it was designated as Korea's first "culture district" and the antique shops and art galleries began to be complemented by more traditional tea houses, cafes, and restaurants. Finally, in 2000, the main street — Insadong-gil (인사동길) — was redesigned to be more people friendly with wider sidewalks, street planters, and improved paving as well as outdoor art that pays tribute to the neighborhood and Korean culture.

Now, Insadong-gil (인사동길) and side streets are closed to cars entirely starting on Saturday afternoon and Sunday mid-morning, so the weekend is the best time to visit Insadong.

Although some major chain stores, tacky tourist shops, and cheesy "museums" that are little more than photo ops have invaded in recent years, Insadong remains a great independent shopping area whether you're looking to buy something traditionally Korean like antiques, art, collectibles, ceramics, or stationery, or something more modern and trendy, but still unique.

Our Seven Top Attractions in Insadong

Part of the fun is exploring the area yourself and finding something unexpected, but seven locally well-known attractions that we also have enjoyed include the following, organized in order from the metro station on our map below:

1. Tongmungwan (통문관) - Reportedly the oldest book store in Korea; it is truly impressive. If you like book stores in Jimbocho (神保町) in Tokyo, you certainly will enjoy this shop, as well.
2. Anyoung Insadong (안녕인사동) - A new trendy mall that is more upscale and mainstream than others in the neighborhood, but that still promises a mix of cultural experiences and shopping. On top of the mall is the posh Nine Tree Hotel (나인트리 프리미어).
3. KCDF Gallery (한국공예·디자인문화진흥원) - An organization that promotes Korean art and design products locally and internationally. This is their headquarters with a large shop, library, multiple floors of exhibition space and a rooftop garden.
4. Ssamziegil (쌈지길) - The best known micromall in the neighborhood, it has an interesting spiral design to walk up or down with dozens of small shops selling trendy — and often handmade — souvenirs, art, collectibles, clothing, housewares, and more.
5. Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art (경인미술관) - Formally an art museum, but also one of the oldest and most famous traditional tea houses in the neighborhood. Definitely a must visit.
6. GalleryMeme (갤러리밈) - A contemporary art gallery showcasing established and up-and-coming Korean artists.
7. Tapgol Park (탑골 공원) - Modest compared to grounds in the Palace Quarter, naturally, but this is the first modern park in Seoul. It also was the site where independence from Japan first was declared in 1919 and remains an important spot for political demonstrations to this day.

Restaurants well regarded by Koreans in the area include Jeongseon Halmae Gondrebap (정선할매곤드레밥) for traditional Korean food and Jogeum (조금) for Japanese hot pot, but many other options also are available including plenty of fast and inexpensive street food snack and drink options.

Bonus: Insadong's Rapidly Trendifying Neighbor, Ikseondong

Ten years ago, travelgasm.com probably could have called Ikseondong (익선동) — with its gritty alleyways of modest working class Korean houses, or Hanok (한옥), — one of our 7 Things Tourists Don't Do in Seoul, But You Should. However, because Insadong has become more and more expensive, independent artists and entrepreneurs have moved into Ikseondong next door; and these businesses have given tourists more of a reason to explore the area. It's still a bit rough around the edges, but it has become a great place to hang out in a cafe or have dessert. One place we enjoyed was APBBang (앞으로의 빵집), a cute vegan bakery, but if vegan isn't your cup of tea, there are many other trendy cafes to try, as well.

However, despite its proliferation of trendy cafes, Ikseondong hasn't completely shucked its working class roots yet. In fact, last time we checked, there still was at least one decidedly traditional restaurant in the neighborhood — Yuseongjib (유성집) — that specializes in Bosintang (보신탕), or dog stew. If you need assistance to find it beyond our map below, you can ask older men in the neighborhood. Younger Koreans are more likely to be offended by dog meat. If you likewise are offended by eating dog — or meat in general — steer clear and keep your foreign waeguk (외국인) opinions to yourself. Coffee or dessert always are easy options!

We've mapped out our preferred walk through Insadong and Ikseondong below. It connects Insadong-gil to the warrens of Ikseondong as pleasantly as possible using smaller streets and the most efficient metro stations.

How to Get Here: There are three metro stations near Insadong and Ikseondong — Anguk (Orange Line, Line 3), Jonggak (Dark Blue Line, Line 1), and Jongno 3-ga (Orange, Purple, Dark Blue Interchange Station). If you follow our suggested walk, it starts at Anguk (Orange Line, Line 3), Exit 6. Go straight and take the first left onto Insadong-gil. To depart from Ikseondong, Jongno 3-ga, Exit 4 is convenient, particularly for the Purple Line, Line 5; but it also is connected to the Orange Line, Line 3; and the Dark Blue Line, Line 1; via a knot of long underground tunnels.

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