Insa-dong

Insa-dong located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center. The best way to visit these galleries is to use the “Art Center Bus.” It will take you to over 10 of the most famous galleries at a very reasonable price.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect compliment to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. If you had to choose just one teahouse from the hundreds that are here, Gwicheon would be the place to go.  

Poet Cheon Sang-Byeong’s wife is the proprietor of the tea house. The shop isn’t very big, but you can see pictures and books of famous poets. You might even run into one. Mokwacha is their best tea and it is famous for its fragrance.

Every Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a place of cultural space. This is when the stores will set up booths outside. Not only the stores that are here, but all kinds of people arrive during this time and set up shop, such as Korean candy merchants and old fortune tellers. There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake), and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.