Insadong: Tour of one of Seoul's most popular neighbourhoods

Take subway line 3 to Anguk station and take exit 6. After you exit the station, walk about 75 meters and turn left on Insadong. There is a sculpture of a calligraphy brush at the beginning of the street. (Near the corner of the street there is a tourist information center--look for the yellow “i”--that is worth stopping into for information and maps.) Arrive at the north starting point of the neighborhood to head south down the main street, Insadong-gil.

Who can pass by the enticingly named Toto's Nostalgia Museum and Gift shop (02-725-1756)? As you head down Insadong, about 100 meters on your right you will come upon this charming—-if space-starved—-“museum” that features cultural curios and memorabilia from Korea from the 1960s to the early 80s. This quirky spot is definitely worth a peak to see an interesting side of the country rarely on display.
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Hours:
Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm; weekends 10am to 9pm.

Admission:
1000 Won

Address:
169-2 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu

Continue down the street for about 40 more meters until you come to Ssamziegil on your left.

Put aside at least an hour to check out this multistory complex. Certainly the shopping hub of Insadong, this open-concept, playfully designed shopping center offers a microcosm of what the neighborhood has to offer including cafes, restaurants, arts and crafts, clothes and jewelry shops. If you need a break, grab a snack at the popular Between Pages cafe. If you’re lucky, your visit may coincide with one of Ssamziegil’s popular installation art displays. A great place to buy souvenirs.
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Hours:
Everyday 10am to 10:30pm.

Address:
38 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu

Now that you’ve indulged your wallet, here’s a great chance to indulge your mind.

This next stop can be difficult to find but it is worth the effort. Continue south a few stores until you come to an alley with a Su-Do pharmacy on the corner and to your left. Turn down here and walk about 50 meters until you come to the Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art (02-733-4448/9).

Insadong is known as Seoul’s “artsy” area for good reason; the neighborhood is rife with all variety of art galleries including ones devoted to knives, miniatures and even food! But the gem, at least for contemporary art, is Kyung-In Museum. This airy, welcoming space is one of the most respected galleries in the city and features established and up-and-coming artists whose work draw both tourists and locals equally.

There is also a lovely outdoor tearoom, but if you can, try to resist taking a break here and continue on to our next stop
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Hours:
Everyday 10am to 6pm.

Admission: Free

Address:
30-1 Gwanhun-dong, Jongro-Gu

Yet another challenging spot to find, don’t be afraid to ask friendly locals for help to find this one-of-a-kind, tea house.

Return to the main street and continue south past Atelier Seoul, Tong–in (take a look in this store if you are in the market for gorgeous wooden furniture) and Jilsiru cafe (which has a pink sign with a turtle on it) all on your left. Turn left down the next small alleyway (there should be a sign at the entrance to Sanchon Buddhist restaurant, which is one of the best in the area and worth returning to for a meal). Walk down the alley until you get to the Old Tea Shop (010-722-5019).

You can’t go to Insadong and not have tea at a traditional tea shop and the ancient-looking, atmospheric Old Tea Shop (known locally as the Flying Bird Tea Shop) is one of the most enchanting. Be sure to go to the shop’s second floor to enjoy your cup of tea amidst a bevy of song birds: but be warned, they will try to steal a bite of your rice cakes or a sugar cube. A myriad of unique tea flavors are on offer including persimmon, plum, ginger and a variety of herbal, medicinal teas.
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Hours:
Hours: 10am to 11pm.

Address:
30 Gwanhun-dong,Jongro-Gu

Return to the main street and walk south, past the Insadong intersection and the National Souvenir Center and on your left you will come upon the tiny, easy-to-miss, Bongwon Calligraphy store.

This ancient, esoteric art form is alive and well in Seoul and this shop has everything a budding novice or expert needs: delicate rice paper, ink wells and elegant brushes. The implements are almost as beautiful as the words, even when you have no idea what they mean!
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Hours:
9:30am to 8pm.

Address:
Insa-dong 27, Jongno-gu

Walk to the end of Insadong and to your left is Tapgol Pagoda) Park.

Conclude your tour of Insadong with a stroll through one of Seoul’s few downtown parks. This tiny but charming green space was the city’s first park. Established in 1897, the focal point is the more than 500 year-old, 12-meter stone pagoda carved with depictions of Buddhist life.
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Hours:
Daily 6am-8pm

Address:
Jongno 2-ga 38-1