Insadong-gil

 Insadong-gil is well known as a Korean traditional street. It contains the mixture of historical and modern culture. The shops for antique, traditional artworks and galleries are concentrated in that area. Besides, traditional tea shops, restaurants, cafes and bars are doing a splendid business. It is one of the most visited areas among foreign travelers and the best place to buy souvenirs which symbolize Korea.

Source : http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=1210447&cid=200000000&categoryId=200002964

Attractions & Foods & Events

1. Ssamzie-gil

Source : http://teacherspage.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/introducing-insadong/

 Ssamzie-gil is a shopping&culture complex which you can feel traditional and youthful atmosphere. It has become a representative place to bring a date in Korea. It's a five-story building. From basement to four floors above ground, it's filled with about seventy handicraft and souvenir shops, galleries and tea shops. The various programs for foreign visitors, such as Hanji, which is the Korean traditional paper and mother-of-pearl craft are provided in the basement.

2. Traditional Korean tea house

 There are lots of the traditional Korean tea houses in Insadong-gil. You can enjoy drinking ginger or plum teas and eating sweet snacks or rice cakes. The overseas visitors in the video said the puffed rice with honey on the outside was very sweet and crunchy. They said the plum tea was almost like liquid honey, but it's not too overwhelming as well as the ginger tea was very strong flavor, but it's the perfect way to warm up in the winter.  Especially in winter, they make you keep warm by sipping the teas on a warm Ondol floor in a room elaborately decorated with Korean traditional ornaments. The teas and snacks cost about 12,000 won($12 USD).

3. Traditional performances on the street 

Source : http://teacherspage.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/introducing-insadong/

 Its main street was designated into a pedestrian zone with no cars from 10:00 to 22:00 everyday. Every Saturdays and Sundays, the road is used as a venue for exciting street performances including the traditional folk performance which is called 'Samulnori'.

*How to get to Insadong-gil

Exit 3 of Jonggak stn. on subway line 1(3-minute walk)

Exit 6 of Anguk stn. on subway line 3(2-minute walk)

Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga stn. on subway line 1,3,5 (5-minute walk)

Reference : http://insadong.jongno.go.kr/inTown.do?menuId=9148&menuNo=9148