Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Hotel Prima, located in Cheongdam-dong, breaks the conventional idea of 'business hotels', and creates a new culture of hotels as a space for art. The lobby contains Buncheong porcelains and Korean folk painting decorations to give the guests a sense of the traditional Oriental style. Also, the buffet restaurant boasts the Meissen Museum, providing the gentle ambiance of the European Royalty.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

In the 1970s, an elevated road was built to connect the eastern and western sides around Seoul Station. However, the road was closed to road traffic due to safety issues. After this, rather than tearing down the existing structure, the road was transformed into Seoullo 7017, a new pedestrian walking experience. Seoullo 7017 gets its name from its years of new life, from being a traffic road in the 70s to a sky garden in 2017. The "17" also has a deeper meaning, with Seoullo 7017 being divided into 17 unique sections, and the road being located 17 meters above the ground. There are a variety of facilities along Seoullo 7017, including an information center, cafes, gardens, and stages. Seoullo 7017 itself is open all day, every day for visitors to enjoy at their leisure. If you would like a guided tour, be sure to sign up for the guided walking tour through the official Visit Seoul website.


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Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Tongin Market dates back to June 1941, as a public market set up for Japanese residents near the Hyoja-dong neighborhood when Korea was still under Japanese rule. After the Korean War the nation experienced a swift rise in population, which led to a natural increase in consumption and demand. As a result the area’s street vendors and stores used the former Tongin Market area as their marketplace. Now, Tongin Market consists of 75 stores, most of which are restaurants and grocery stores. There are also some shops selling manufactured goods like underwear and shoes.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Daejojeon Hall was the queen’s residence at Changdeokgung Palace. Originally built in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty), the hall had been destroyed by fires multiple times since then. The current structure is the one rebuilt in 1920 with materials taken from Gyotaejeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace after being burnt down in 1917. Daejeojeon is differentiated from other palace buildings in that it has no ridge on the roof. The center bedroom is surrounded by small-sized rooms for court ladies to attend to the king and the queen.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

The epitome of industrial chic, Cafe Onion operates out of a converted factory that was built in the 1970s. The building has actually seen a variety of businesses open shop in the past; there was once a supermarket and even restaurants throughout the years and at one time the building was even a regular residence. More recently, before Cafe Onion opened, the building housed an industrial factory that made small parts. Traces of the building's industrial past are still visible throughout Cafe Onion. The cafe even kept and converted many of the factory's design elements. There are over 20 varieties of bread at the cafe. Cafe Onion also sells the famed Bread 05 Bakery's butter bread. Korean patrons will have seen the butter bread on several Korean TV shows.  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

The old building of the Seoul train station was designed by Tsukamoto Yasushi, a professor of Tokyo University. Construction of the station started in June, 1922 and was completed in September, 1925. Due to its unique domed roof and large size, the station attracted much attention in its early years.After Korea regained its independence from under Japanese colonial rule, the station’s name was changed from ‘Gyeongseong Station’ to ‘Seoul Station’. During the Korean War, the station was partially destroyed but later restored. After Korea began industrializing after the war, the South annex and West annex were constructed to handle the increasing transportation volume.In 2004 when the privately-funded new station was constructed, the old station closed down, but after reconstruction in 2011 opened as a multicultural space called ‘Culture Station Seoul 284’. The main section (Jungang Hall) is for performances, exhibitions, events, and cafés, while the 2nd floor houses a hall that serves as a venue for cultural performances, exhibitions, academic seminars, business meetings, and more.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The Korea Culture House (KOUS) opened in April 2003 to introduce Korea’s traditional culture and provide a series of experience programs to both tourists visiting Korea and foreigners already residing in Korea.The Korea Culture House comprises a traditional arts performance stage, traditional culture workshops, a traditional teahouse, and a cultural products store. The Traditional Arts Performance Stage has been designed in the shape of a Norimadang (traditional Korean performance stage).Performances are held everyday at 8:00pm except on Sundays. The Traditional Culture Workshop currently offers a variety of experience programs including handcrafts. Telephone reservations are required for large groups of 30 people or more. KOUS also provides a traditional teahouse and a cultural products store for visitors to enjoy.* Experience Programs - Make Knot Accessories 15,000 won- Needle Sewing Arts 15,000 won- Make Hanji (Korean paper) Ornaments 15,000 won- Make Ceramic Cups 20,000 won- Patterned Fan Coloring 10,000 won- Rubbed Copy Program 10,000 won- Taekgyeon (traditional military martial arts) 10,000 won- Traditional Korean Bongsan Masked Dance 10,000 won- Learn Pungmul (traditional Korean percussions) 10,000 won


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Eden Pottery specializes in Korean pottery from celadon to white porcelains. The shop is full of superb Korean pottery in its gallery-like atmosphere. Customers will be exposed to the rich history of Korean pottery and its diverse types. Products are made by experienced craftsmen.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Dongdaemun

The Hwanghakdong Flea Market is an extensive used-goods market with over 500 shops. The flea market is also popularly known as the ‘Doggaebi (Korean folk creature) Market’ and ‘All-Things Market’ due to its variety of goods ranging from antiques to interior furnishings. Hence, the Hwanghakdong Flea Market is a famous destination among many foreigners. In the past, the Hwanghak-dong Flea Market was the nation’s trade center for antique goods, and now, the market offers a wide variety of products ranging from cameras, refrigerators, washing machines and TVs to old money, antique paintings, cosmetics, clothes, Buddha statues and more. The flea market sells used goods as well as new ones. Not to worry though, as all used products have been renewed and repaired with a 50% markdown, while new products can be purchased at 20-30% off the retail price. The Hwanghakdong Flea Market is divided into five sections. First, a one-storey building holds a variety of shops selling old books, electronics, and videos. Second, the alleyway between Samil Apartments 15-dong and 16-dong near Cheonggyecheon 7-ga Street is known as the antique street. Electronic stores are gathered in the area behind Samil Apartment 13-dong and the Seongdong Technical High School all the way to Samil Apartment 17-dong, selling TVs, refrigerators, car stereos, air conditioners, video games, and more. Finally, the machinery stores are located on the second street of Jungang Market. The flea market is generally open from 9am to 7pm, with the exception of the electronics district which is open until 10pm.    


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Beautiful Tea Museum offers teas from around the world and shows items depicting international tea cultures. It displays teas, tea-related items, and ceramics made by young artists. Over 110 teas from Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and European countries can be found in the museum. There is also a café offering delicious teas.