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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

Art Sonje Center is an art complex which was built in 1998. It has a short history but is famous for exhibiting high-quality artwork. As an art complex, in addition to regular art exhibitions, movies, dance & music performances and plays are also shown here. On the B1 floor there is an art hall with a capacity for 250 people. Exquisite lightning and audiovisual system equipment are used for showing movies, performances and symposiums. At the art hall, many reviews on movies of the dramatic lives of artists are shown. Other events range from international concerts to project exhibitions of German filmmakers. If you want to relax, head to the traditional Korean house hall, Hanokgwan on the 1st floor. It boasts the unique architecture of modernized traditional Korean style. It is surrounded by bamboo, making it just the place for visitors to rest. It is also used as an exhibition space from time to time. Near Art Sonje Center are Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insa-dong. 


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

"The Stone Guards of the Royal Tombs" Seonjeongneung is comprised of Seolleung Royal Tomb (선릉) and Jeongneung Royal Tomb (정릉). Located in downtown Seoul, this place offers tranquil and pleasant promenades for couples and office workers. Seonjeongneung houses the burial mounds of King Seongjong (1469-1494), his wife Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong (1506-1544) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Upon entering the grounds, you can see a red gate (the red colour denotes holiness) with a taegeuk (yin-yang) symbol. The stone paths leading to the sacrificial building are noteworthy because there are two stone paths—the elevated path is for the dead King and the lower one is for living people. In the past memorial rites were performed in the sacrificial building. Small sculptures on the eaves called Japsang were carved in the shape of animals, such as monkeys, and were believed to exorcise evil spirits. Next to the sacrificial building, there is a pavilion and a tombstone which is the tomb of the King. Sculptures of sheep and tigers surround the tomb and are guardians of the deceased king. There is also a statue of a military officer bearing a sword. In front of the tomb is an outstanding sight called 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones designed to guide the spirit of the king to his tomb. Unlike the tombs of the Kings, the queen’s tomb, Wanghureung, is simple. It doesn’t have any pavilions or sacrificial buildings, and is surrounded only by stone sculptures as guardians. Seonjeongneung has a lush forest, and benches on the promenade provide an ideal place to relax. There are numerous small hills with clusters of trees that create a border between the mystery and serenity of the royal tombs and the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Hanok Homestay Information Center was opened in the famous Bukchon Hanok Village by the Jongno-gu District Office to promote 'hanok tourism' in Seoul. The center spans over a lot area of 102.5㎡, with a total floor area of 52.05㎡. At the center, professional staff are working to offer hanok homestay reservation services, interpretation services and traditional cultural programs, a resting place for all visitors, and tourism information throughout the Jongno area, including Bukchon.The information center is divided into three sections: Information, Exhibition & Experience, and Daecheong. The Information section offers reservation services, operates hanok homestay program and introduces the features of hanok and available traditional culture program for hands-on activities. The Exhibition & Experience area is the venue for trying on hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) or ancient royal clothing as a traditional experience.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in the cultural and art district of Insa-dong, the Sunbee hotel is an “Innostel”, a new concept of hotels developed by the Seoul City Government. These hotels provide comfortable accommodation, but without facilities such as fitness centers or saunas, at very reasonable prices. A wide selection of rooms are available, Korean-style, western-style and even fusion style. Prior reservations are required. English, Japanese service is available.


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

Kamong is a cafe, which is owned and operated by the sister of Kai from the Korean boy band EXO. Kamong, which means ‘Dreaming Kai,’ is also known as a gathering place/meeting spot for Kai’s fans. One of the most popular menu items is the ice cream waffle, which has assorted fresh fruits added to it. On the cups, napkins, and other small props in the cafe, you can find that there are copies of drawings and messages that Kai drew/wrote himself. Frequently, people bump into Kai and other EXO members visiting the cafe.  


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

K-star Yoo Yeon-seok, who has starred in K-dramas Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim, K-show We Kid, and musical Hedwig, is the owner of this three-story venue. Complete with floor to ceiling windows, the bar on the 7th floor offers panoramic views of the Itaewon area, while the cozy rooftop seating on the 8th floor is perfect for date nights. The 6th floor features a beautiful banquet room which has hosted various trendy K-stars’ private parties. Reservations are required for special events.  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

Internationally renowned as a Michelin three-star chef, Pierre Gagnaire opened his Seoul restaurant, Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul, on October 1, 2008. This is his fourth restaurant following those restaurants in Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. In fact, he was once ranked first among the 100 top chefs in the world. It offers French cuisine featuring innovative and diverse preparation methods with an added artistic touch.        


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

Serving a varied menu featuring grilled beef, haejangguk (a spicy soup), and shabu shabu, Saebyeokjip is open 24 hours and is often crowded with people. The ddarogukbap (a kind of soup made with meat, coagulated ox blood, and bean sprouts) tastes great and is the recommended remedy for curing a hangover. An order of yukhoe bibimbap (white rice topped with garnished raw beef) includes a bowl of seonjitguk (soup made with coagulated ox blood). The shabu shabu is quite satisfactory for the price, so it is popular. The restaurant is packed in the morning, with people sobering up, and in the evening, with people who come for the grilled meat.