Insadong is a popular tourist location in the Jongno-gu district of Seoul, Korea. Its main street is connected to varying alleys that people usually visit for shopping, touring and taking photos. This bustling area is acknowledged as a traditional district for both locals and foreigners. It also hosts the famous Insadong Gallery Street, a central Seoul attraction typically crowded by locals and tourists, especially during weekends.
History
Insadong is a historical area that was once the largest market for antiques and artworks in Korea. While it maintains this stature until now, there are already other major areas in Seoul that are known for their antiques and art galleries as well. Most of Insadong’s traditional buildings and structures were originally owned by merchants and opulent residents during the Joseon Period. Now, they are mainly used as shops and restaurants.
About 500 years ago, Insadong was a premier residential area for government officials and wealthy Koreans. During the Japanese occupation, these people were forced to move and sell their belongings in the area. Since then, Insadong became a famous spot for antique trading. After the Korean War, the district’s revitalization efforts focused on Korea’s artistic and cafe life. By the 1960s, it became a top destination for many foreigners touring the country. Since then, it has continued to gain popularity among foreign dignitaries and international tourists visiting Seoul.
Insadong Gallery Street
Insadong is home to about 100 art galleries standing close together within its main street. It also houses a complex of smaller galleries and handicraft shops. Certain areas feature courtyards for outdoor exhibitions and underground galleries. Other parts are regarded as mini museums, which are renowned for many interesting miniature models of Korean food.
The artworks and audience along the Insadong Gallery Street focus on young artists, works that appeal to beginners in art collection and art appreciators looking for fresh, quality works outside the elitist price range. Many works displayed around the area include oil paintings, lithographs and photographs, most of which are done by emerging young artists. Many of these artists value interactions with people checking out their works and they usually take time to explain their art to gallery visitors.
Shopping and Dining
Aside from its art galleries, the charm of Insadong as a primary tourist attraction in Seoul mainly comes from its variety of traditional sights, shops and restaurants. Koreans also maintain this appeal as the district is not only a well-known shopping and flea market spot, it also represents the cultural history of Korea. It features a representation of the culture of the past and present through its diverse offerings of antiques, Korean masks, hand-pressed papers, Buddhist sculptures, Korean dolls, porcelain items, and many other novelty and souvenir items. Insadong is also famous for its variety of coffee shops and restaurants serving Korean delicacies, international cuisine and variations of drinks.
Transportation
Insadong is accessible by riding the subway or bus. For subway options, travelers can get off the Anguk Station (Subway Line 3) Exit 6, which requires a one-minute walk, or the Jonggak Station (Subway Line 1) Exit 3, which requires a three-minute walk to reach Insadong’s tourist district. For bus options, travelers can get off Anguk Station using bus numbers 1012, 7025, 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272, 604 or 602-1. They can also get off Jonggak Station using any of the bus numbers 0212, 1016, 100, 143, 150, 160, 161, 200, 262, 271, 300, 370, 470, 471, 601, 705, 720, 9301, 9401, 9402 or 9411. There are also many taxis around Seoul, but this option is significantly more expensive than taking the subway or bus.