Insa-dong Art Street 인사동 고미술거리
- +82-2-731-1621
Insa-dong has been situated at the heart of the nation’s capital for over 600 years and was at the center of culture during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The Insa-dong area usually refers to the areas extending from the Anguk-dong Rotary to Tapgol Park in Jongro 2(i)-ga, past the Insa-dong Intersection. The notable features of Insa-dong are the countless alleys that branch out from the main street. Insa-dong has also become known as ‘Merry’s Area,’ one of the favorite shopping spots among foreigners.
Over forty percent of the nation’s antique stores are clustered in the Insa-dong area, and they
sell more valuable antiques compared to any other places in Korea. The price of the
valuables and souvenirs in this area can range from 10,000 won to some hundred million won. Among the antiques sold there are old pictures, pottery, wooden containers and jewelry. There is a variety of artwork varying from earthenware of the Unified Silla Era to white pottery of the Joseon Era. Foreigners from all over the world including Japan, China, France, and America frequent Insa-dong to witness a truly traditional Korean atmosphere.
Prices range greatly depending on the customers and the items. Old books are usually popular among the Japanese and Chinese tourists who can identify Hanja (Chinese characters). Antique books are purchased by many visitors, from history professors to antique collectors, at prices varying from 10,000 won to 30,000 won. Highly valued items are not sold and even if they are displayed in the store, as
some shopkeepers do not intend to sell them. Archaeology and history books are the most popular selections. Some items are priceless so shopkeepers often name their own price, but keep in mind that some stores do
have price tags to indicate products for sale. Tongmungwan is a representative store selling old books and has been run by a family for three generations. When you enter this small bookstore, you can see old books packed in rows. This bookstore was originally opened by the grandfather of the current shopkeeper, and is living proof of Insa-dong’s long-standing history. This is definitely a place worth visiting even if you do not intend to make a purchase.
Traditional Korean ceramic ware is the main artwork Insa-dong has to offer. It is also the most popular item among tourists. Ceramic ware can be used in everyday life and many also consider it an essential decorative item. Ever since Queen Elizabeth I of England visited Insa-dong in April 1999 and praised the beauty of the ceramic art forms, many tourists from all over the world, including Europe, America, and Japan have become interested in them. Prices may start at 10,000 won, but can cost you up to some 10 million won. The most popular ceramic ware are pottery in the shape of a gourd bottle, costing anywhere from 100,000 won to 200,000 won. Keep in mind that the finer ceramic ware boast a clear color and have a clear resonant sound when tapped with the tip of your fingernail.
Famous shops include ‘Park Young Suk Yo’ where Queen Elizabeth paid a visit
and ‘Haedong Godoja.’ The main artwork offered are the common porcelain ware that have been recrafted, and pots of the Joseon
Era. ‘Haedong Godoja’ is known for selling the best quality ceramic ware.
‘Goseohwa’ (old paintings and calligraphic arts) is another main form of artwork offered in Insa-dong. There are shops selling old artwork along with oriental paintings, as well as modern paintings. Shops such as Dongmundang and Gonghwarang display and sell old paintings along with calligraphic works.
Antique furniture and other items are available at Naraksil and Gayajae. Naraksil offers great quality antique furniture such as bookshelves and bookstands, while Gayajae sells old pieces of furniture, stone Buddhas, and tiles. Other popular antiques can be found at ‘Toto’s Antiques’ where there are contemporary articles from the period before and after the liberation of Korea from Japanese forces. Even though there isn't any traditional artwork at this store, Korean antiques are displayed picturesquely. Toto’s Antiques seems to arouse nostalgia among its visitors, as it is decorated with old schoolbooks, toys, and ornaments from the 50’s and 60’s.
Sunday is designated a pedestrian-friendly day as cars are not permitted
in the area for on that day of the week. Instead, a flea market opens on this day to sell various antiques, accessories, artwork, and books. Traditional antiques from different parts of Korea as well as international antiques brought by foreign tourists are displayed throughout Insa-dong, allowing visitors to view many items in one glance. It is highly recommended that you visit Insa-dong on Sundays since you can also view the beautiful street art.
When shopping in Insa-dong, make sure you check where the product is made. Recently, cheap Chinese goods such as teacups, wall tapestries, and small accessories have been brought into the Insa-dong markets and there have been cases where merchandise thought to be made in Korea turned out to be marked as ‘Made in China.’ So
if you are looking to purchase only authentic Korean products, be sure to check
the label.
Utilization information
・Information : • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-732-2235~40 (Korean, English, Japanese)
・Operating Hours : 10:00am ~ (closing times varies with each store)
・Products Offered : Traditional Korean art products, traditional Korean antiques, and more
Access
29, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
Traffic information
- Subway Line 3 Anguk (안국）- 358.8m
- Subway Line 1 Jonggak (종각）- 424.8m
- Subway Line 5 Jongno 3(sam)ga (종로3가）- 565.1m
- Subway Line 3 Jongno 3(sam)ga (종로3가）- 565.1m
- Subway Line 1 Jongno 3(sam)ga (종로3가）- 565.1m
Review(0)
Nearby information
Yetchatjip (old teahouse)Seoul > Insadong・Jongnon Yetchatjip is a famous teahouse that has also been used as a movie filming set. It is a great place to stop by for a cup of natural traditional Korean tea, or the traditional summer treat patbingsu, made with the old way with shaved ice and homemade red bean topping. |
40m
|
Insadong ChatjipSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Insadong Chatjip is a hanok teahouse that serves home-made traditional tea. Even the red beans used in the summer delicacy Patbingsu are carefully prepared at the restaurant. |
40m
|
Tteul Gwa DawonSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Tteul Gwa Dawon (literally "yard and tea garden") is an up-scale hanok-style tea and coffee house where you can enjoy a tranquil garden in the center of Seoul.The tea and coffee shop offers traditional Korean tea made of 100% natural ingredients, as well as organic coffee. It is equipped w |
42m
|
SanchonSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Founded and opened by Monk Jeongsan, Sanchon is a vegan-friendly restaurant that mainly serves temple foods. The dishes found here are a results of Kim Yun-sik, who was inspired by the simple, clean and healthy diet that a Buddhist practitioner taught him years ago. Now, being a top a |
64m
|
DooreSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Stew cooked with fermented soybean paste is this restaurant's signature dish. Rice with beef soup contains pyogo mushrooms and seaweed. The ugeoji soup is also a highlight. Made from the four legs of a cow and mixed with soybean paste, it is very unique. Variations of daily side dishes are also avai |
76m
|
ChoedaegamneSeoul > Choedaegamne is a traditional restaurant with a cozy garden and a pond. It is located at the end of the alley next to Inside Plaza. At this famous restaurant located in Insa-dong, a traditional interior is enhanced by the date trees planted in between tables. Various dishes are available such as Ssa |
91m
|
GungSeoul > For more than 30 years, Gung (궁) has served Gaeseong-style mandu (dumplings). The elderly proprietor, who fled south during the Korean War runs this restaurant with the help of her granddaughters. Characteristic of its delicate taste, Gaeseong mandu stuffing consists of pork and various vegetables |
113m
|
YangbandaekSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon You can feel that you are being served as a VIP here. Even common dishes such as steamed eggs have a luxurious flavor and taste at this place, and most of the ingredients are organic. The landlady, in Korean hanbok dress with an old abacus, tells you the history of this restaurant. |
115m
|
Hanji ChueokSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Hanji Chueok (Recollections) is one of the better-known craft shops in Insa-dong and has even been featured by a number of international magazines. Prepared using Korean traditional processing methods, hanji is a type of beautiful, high-quality paper. Hanji Chueok is a great place to experience the |
13m
|
Tong-In Store (통인가게)Seoul > Insadong・Jongnon Tong-In Store is the oldest traditional crafts shopping center in Korea. It is home to over 100 shops that sell ancient and contemporary traditional crafts, as well as galleries that display crafts collections by emerging artists. |
29m
|
Park Young Sook Bedding (Atelier Seoul)Seoul > Insadong・Jongnon Park Young Sook Bedding (Atelier Seoul) is the gallery of the modern potter, Park Young Sook. It displays and sells white porcelains representing the Chosun Dynasty, Buncheong ware, and ceramics with modern flavors. Various items include flower vases, decorative ceramics, and daily use earthen ware. |
31m
|
Cheongju Korean Craft MuseumSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon The Cheongju Korean Craft Museum displays and sells Korean crafts by artists in Cheongju. It is home to over 100 different kinds of crafts including crafts related to Jikji (the oldest remaining book in the world using the metal printing method). Customers are exposed to rich informaton on Jikji and |
32m
|
DolsilnaiSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon To popularize hanbok, Dolsilnai offers modified hanbok suited for daily use. Focusing on simple elegance, Dolsilnai hanbok is known for all-cotton fabrics and pigment dyeing. While it doesn't ignore the beauty of traditional hanbok, Dolsilnai hanbok also emphasizes functional and practical qualities |
51m
|
Bongwon CalligraphySeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Located around the Insa-dong Street Intersection, Bonwon Calligraphy has provided customers with top-notch calligraphic supplies for over 30 years. Products are especially well priced because the shop is involved in both manufacuring and selling supplies. Being one of the largest of its kind in Insa |
96m
|
Beautiful Tea MuseumSeoul > 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 |
99m
|
Arirang Master Crafts ShopSeoul > 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 h |
105m
|
Museum KimchikanSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Museum Kimchikan is a unique museum dedicated to kimchi and kimjang, the process of making kimchi which was designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The museum was also selected by CNN in March 2015 as one of the world’s top 11 food museums. Visitors can learn the histor |
59m
|
Museum KimchikanSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Since its foundation in 1986, the museum has displayed historical relics related to kimchi, different types of kimchi, mock-ups of the kimchi-making process, and information about the efficacy derived from the kimchi fermentation process. The museum now has changed its name to Kimchikan and has re |
85m
|
Beautiful Tea MuseumSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon The Beautiful Tea Museum exhibits porcelain artwork by young ceramists. It also offers a large variety of world tea from Korea, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Europe and more, totaling 130 types of tea. The museum not only exhibits tea, but it also provides a café for visitors to relax and e |
100m
|
Ssamzigil (쌈지길)Seoul > Insadong・Jongnon Ssamzigil, a shopping mall specializing in crafts that opened on December 18, 2004, has been called the "New Insa-dong within Insa-dong." The many shops gathered here sell everything from luxury traditional crafts to modern artworks that still manage to convey Korean charm in their designs |
139m
|
Kyung-In Museum of Fine ArtSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is located at the center of Insa-dong, Seoul. Insa-dong is famous as a traditional cultural street. Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art is a cultural ground for artists and is also a tourist attraction. It is divided into three gallery halls, an outdoor gallery hall, an outdoor s |
143m
|
Trash: Mingadaheon Tea HouseSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon The original name of the Mingadaheon (Min’s club) was Minikduga (Minikdu’s home), but the place was renamed and remodeled into a fusion restaurant in 2001.Minikduga is designed by Gilryong Park (1898∼1943), the pioneer of Korean- modern architecture in 1930. This house, which is located in Gye |
161m
|
Insa-dong PR CenterSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Insa-dong PR Center opened in 2006 with the goal of providing accessible education for both domestic and international visitors to understand Korean tradition and history. It was built as a private residence for Prince Uichin (1877-1955), one of the sons of Emperor Gojong (1852-1919).It also introdu |
197m
|
Dynamic MazeSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Dynamic Maze is exactly what it sounds like: a vast maze requiring a variety of skills to complete tasks and find the exit. This indoor maze course has obstacles ranging from walls to climb over, missions requiring attention to details, screaming and dancing to simple trial and error if you want to |
200m
|
Insa Art SpaceSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Insa Art Space was established by the government to support artists who are experiencing financial difficulties. Opened on May 26th, 2000, the total exhibit maintenance fee is provided by the government. It is recognized as one of the more successful national art support policies. Mostly experimenta |
220m
|
Hotel Sun Bee - GoodstaySeoul > 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 se |
89m
|
Center Mark HotelSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Located in Insa-dong, Center Mark Hotel is a business Hotel with 250 guest rooms. |
158m
|
Hotel Crown InsadongSeoul > Itaewon・Yongsan Hotel Crown is a premier hotel that was renovated in May, 2002. The hotel is in close proximity to Jongno and Insadong, making it a convenient place to stay for tourists. |
232m
|
Hotel Jongno Biz - GoodstaySeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Hotel Jongno Biz is located adjacent to Insa-dong and close to Dongdaemun Market, a shopping mecca in Seoul. Every room has a large wall-mounted flat screen TV, a desktop computer, and free Internet service. Daily laundry service and breakfast (toast, coffee, beverage, tea, cereal, and soup) are pro |
242m
|
Namhyundang (남현당) [한국관광품질인증제/ Korea Quality]Seoul > Insadong・Jongnon |
251m
|
Hotel Cats - GoodstaySeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Located between Jong-no and Insa-dong, Cats Hotel is a perfect place to look around the center of Seoul, and it is a merit that you can see tourist attractions easily. Insadong-gil, Tapgol Park and many other tourist attractions are packed around here, and for shopping, there are Dongdaemun Market a |
279m
|
In Seoul Guest House - GoodstaySeoul > Insadong・Jongnon The In Seoul Guest House is within easy reach of many interesting destinations, being just 10m away from Insa-dong, 800m from Gyeongbokgung Palace, and 800m from Samcheong-dong, while it is 700m away from Myeong-dong, the paradise of shopping, 800m from a duty free shop, and 600m from the traditiona |
310m
|
Seoul YMCA HotelSeoul > 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 att |
316m
|
Cara Motel - GoodstaySeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Located near Jongno 3-ga subway station, Cara Motel provides traffic convenience and is located in the best place for visiting major tourist attractions such as Insa-dong, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo. Located right next to Nagwon Arcade, you can enjoy shopping musical instruments and it would be fun |
321m
|
Myeongdong Hana-Mud Sauna for WomenSeoul > Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan Discover the newly revamped Myeongdong Hana-Mud Sauna for Women! Now open for reservations starting from April, indulge in the ultimate relaxation experience. Effortlessly book your visit with quick and seamless confirmation on 'Trippose.com'. |
997m
|
Skiny-tae AestheticSeoul > Myeongdong Skiny-tae Aesthetic is designed to be unique and comfortable. The shop is decorated with cozy seating areas that cater to all five senses. |
1117m
|
Seoul TBC Total Beauty Care Myeongdong Main Branch - Myeongdong Massage & Head SpaSeoul > Myeongdong "Relaxation Meets Beauty in Myeongdong’s Top Wellness Spot!" Unwind after sightseeing with treatments designed to refresh your body and enhance your beauty. "Over 10 Years of Excellence! Trusted Beauty Care in the Heart of Myeongdong" Professional services tailored t |
1180m
|
|
20-25% OFFCoupon
Whoo SPA(OHUI SPA) Myeongdong Main Branch / Luxury cosmetic such as O HUI, WHOO use Myeongdong luxury spaSeoul > Myeongdong Loved not only by Korean celebrities but also those from Asia! O HUI Spa is especially different. It has a special distinction that draws officials from the Korea Tourism Organization, Gangnam-gu Office, and celebrities from Korea and abroad! Experience differentiated, customized, and safe one-on- |
1250m
|
Bourhill EstheticSeoul > Insadong・Jongnon Bourhill Esthetic (est. 2005) is a professional beauty shop located in Daehangno, Seoul. Nationally recognized, certified professional therapists offer hand care, foot care, skin care, and body care treatments. The shop uses only high-end international cosmetic brand products, 80% of which are from |
1615m
|
Silloam Fire Pot SaunaSeoul > Namdaemun・Seoul-Station Located in Jungnim-ro, Jung-gu, Siloam Sauna has a convenient location to approach. The sauna uses natural Germanuim water from 300m unground that has an excellent water quality. The sauna has various various hot baths, and other subsidiary facilities for visitors. |
2294m
|
Leave a review