Hotels near Insadong

Insadong is Seoul's traditional crafts, calligraphy, and tea-house district - 1 km of shops dealing in Korean antiques, hanji paper, ceramics, Joseon-era furniture, and traditional teas. The main pedestrian Insadong-gil street is mostly closed to traffic 10:00-22:00. The neighbourhood was the home of yangban (aristocrat) families in the late Joseon period and many shops occupy converted hanok houses.

Standout stops: Ssamzigil (a 4-storey shopping complex of independent Korean designers - 70+ shops), the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple (Korean main Buddhist temple, free entry), and Insadong Maru tea house complex. Traditional tea houses (Shin Old Tea House, Tea Therapy) serve seasonal Korean teas at 8000-15000 KRW per cup. Allow 3 hours for a slow walk. Free to wander; cash and cards both accepted.

Pro Tip: The Beautiful Tea Museum (the small white hanok at 21 Insadong-gil) does a 2-hour tea ceremony experience for 25000 KRW - learn the traditional Korean tea ceremony and try 6 seasonal teas. The Korean Bossam restaurant Tosokchon on the western side serves the city's best ginseng chicken soup.