Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Founded in April, 1967, the Seoul YMCA Hotel reopened with a brand-new look following remodeling in 2006. The hotel has a long reputation of providing neat and clean facilities and dedicated services at affordable prices.The Seoul YMCA Hotel is located in downtown Seoul (Jongno2-ga) near popular attractions such as old palaces, Insadong, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun and more.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Arirang Master Crafts Shop is a comprehensive shopping center dealing with Korean traditional crafts. It covers traditional crafts by famous artists, pottery for daily use, decorative pottery, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, crafts made of Korean traditional paper and more. Every product has a fixed price. In addtion, customers can enjoy diverse works displayed in the Migak Museum (Migak means delicate sculpture for eyes to see), located in the shop.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Hamgyeong-do Wangsundae is open 24/7, welcoming guests with a warm and hearty bowl of sundaeguk (Korean sausage soup) prepared with care and additive-free ingredients. Though the space is limited, the place can accommodate up to 54 people. It's cozy atmosphere and top-notch food has earned Hamgyeong-do Wangsundae a good reputation among its customers.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

Salam is a small but popular Turkish restaurant located near the Seoul Central Masjid (Seoul Central Mosque) in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Traditional Turkish dishes like beef and lamb kebabs and lamb with vegetables are displayed on a large table next to the kitchen, allowing you to see the dishes before making your choice. The restaurant is particularly popular among Islamic diners.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Bamseom Island gets its name from its shape (‘bam’ meaning ‘chestnut’ in Korean) and has long been famous for its great view and beautiful surroundings. The Hangang River waters flowing around Bamseom Island were once so clean that the river was used as a source of drinking water for island residents. As part of the Yeouido Development Project, the 443 island residents and their 62 houses were mass migrated to Changcheon-dong, Mapo-gu and the hillside area of Wusan Mountain on Feb 10, 1968. As time passed on the newly uninhabited island, the river deposited sediment around the island and a bunch of wild water plants grew. In the early 1990s, the island became famous as a ‘migratory bird habitat in the middle of a city,’ which is a rare occurrence worldwide. On August 10, 1999 the Seoul Metropolitan Office designated the island an ‘Ecosystem Reserve,’ providing special care and preservation of the island. * Island Ecosystem Birds (41 species): the island is home to mandarin ducks, spotbill birds, reed warblers, white herons, and ringed plover (which also use the island as a breeding grounds). The island is a winter habitat for over 5,000 migratory birds. Fish (29 species): cornet fish, Korean bullhead, carp, mandarin fish, etc. Plants (189 species): common reed, dicentra, prince’s feather, salix matsudana, etc. Insects (15 species): small cabbage white, fabricius, faust, black-horned katydid, scopoli, etc. * Elevation: often submerged when large volumes of water are released from Paldang Dam due to flooding. * Island circumference: mudflats, sand, pebbles, etc.


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(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Tongin Market is the place to go for traditional gireum tteok-bokki. The market is well-known as the best place in Korea for gireum tteok-bokki, and even foreign tourists come to have a taste. Gireum tteok-bokki is made by stir-frying rice cakes in oil and seasonings. There are two types of gireum tteok-bokki sold here. One kind is seasoned with just oil and soy sauce; the other is seasoned with spicy red pepper flakes and oil. Three of Tongshin Market’s gireum tteok-bokki eateries are particularly famous and popular. One such eatery is Original Grandmother's Gireum Tteok-Bokki. The shop has been featured on TV programs. Another is Hyoja-dong’s Old School Tteok-Bokki, once visited by John Kerry in 2014 while he was the U.S. Secretary of State.  


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Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun Stationary Store Street is located in Changsin-dong near Dongdaemun Station, and is a wholesale market selling toys and stationery. Almost 100 stationery stores are packed in the area, selling robots, dolls, play houses, various school supplies, party and event items, stationery, and toys. Visitors can purchase any items at prices 30-40% off of regular market prices and sometimes one can get bigger discounts.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun and Bukchang-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food. Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes. Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods. Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes. [Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Myeong-dong, Hoehyeon, Sogong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul Area size: 872,809㎡ Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.