4 Things to Do in Insa-dong, Seoul!

Insa-dong is a hip enclave located in the heart of Seoul. Over here, you will find lots of art galleries showcasing traditional Korean fine art. Along the colorful streets, there are also many restaurants, teahouses, and shops selling fashion accessories and clothes. Below is a list of four things to do in Insa-dong, enjoy! If you are staying in this area, I would recommend the CenterMark Hotel, which is a decent hotel conveniently located near Ssamziegil.

1. Shop at Ssamziegil

Ssamziegil is a cool shopping mall in Insa-dong that encapsulates the vibe of Insa-dong. There are over seventy stores here and we found art shops, clothing stores, craft shops, and restaurants. It felt like a mini Insa-dong within Insa-dong! The mall has four levels that are connected to each other in a spiral manner. We thought it looked like the design of the Hogwarts School in Harry Potter, except that the staircases did not shift positions. Definitely worth a visit!

Directions to Ssamziegil
This unique shopping complex is a short three-minute walk from Exit 6 of Anguk Station (Line 3). Check out the Google Maps directions to Ssamziegil.

Ssamziegil
44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
+82 2736 0088

2. Stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream

No visit to Seoul would be complete without walking along the Cheonggyecheon Stream. This is an old waterway that was restored in 2005. The stream stretches over 10km, but we only walked along it for a short distance. It passes by many famous landmarks, such as the Seoul Plaza, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace. We saw many folk paintings on the waterway sidewalls, depicting the history and livelihoods of ancient Koreans. We were also impressed with the beautiful landscaping of the waterway. At night, the lights made Cheonggyecheon Stream a pretty sight to behold!

3. Stroll towards Cheonggye Plaza

Cheonggye Plaza is a plaza located at the starting point of Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is not located in Insa-dong but you can walk along the stream towards here. There is a mini waterfall here which was lighted up beautifully when we visited at night. The Spring Sculpture is the centerpiece of the plaza. It is a symbol for the restoration of Cheonggyecheon Stream in 2005. The blue and red stripe design is inspired by the Korean clothing design known as bojagi. When we visited, we saw many people throwing coins in the waterfall for luck.

Directions to Cheonggye Plaza
The plaza is located outside Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station. You can refer to the Google Maps directions for Cheonggye Plaza.

4. Revel in the Vibe of Insa-dong

Last but definitely not least, we had an enjoyable time just walking along the streets of Insa-dong. At night, the streets are colorful and bustling and we enjoyed the vibe very much. I recommend spending at least one hour here exploring the alleyways; there are so many artisan shops and cafes that you never know what you might find!

Insa-dong
Anguk Station (Line 3) Exit 6

This article is part of our completely free and fantastic Ultimate Seoul Travel Guide. Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?

Map of Insadong