Alive Trick-eye Museum
The Alive Museum is all about taking comical and ridiculous pictures with the on-site exhibits. The main idea is that you can insert yourself into the artwork and create an optical illusion to make the piece come alive. This is a big place to explore with many humorous pieces that include the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Indiana Jones.
Address: 12 Insadong-gil, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Kyung-in Museum of Fine Arts
The Kyung-in Art Museum was opened in 1983 and is filled with international and cultural artistry. There are six different exhibits a year, along with permanent sculptures in the garden area. Insadong is a place filled with tradition and Kyung-In reflects that in its artwork and architecture, which comes courtesy of the Joseon dynasty.
Address: 30-1 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tapgol (Pagoda) Park
Tapgol Park was one of the first parks to be established in Korea and is home to many national treasures. It was also the site of the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919. It’s a fairly small park compared to Korea’s other national parks but makes up for that with its many monuments and must-see sights.
Address: 99 Jong-ro, Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Korean BBQ
Korean BBQ places are a popular option for eating out in Korea. Not only do they serve delicious food but are spots for a meeting, chatting and drinking. Insadong is home to many such places, given its traditional past. One popular restaurant is Cha Iyagi, which literally means ‘tea story’. The interior looks like the inside of a hanok (a traditional Korean house) and the food is delicious.
Address: Cha Iyagi, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Ssamzie-gil Market
Ssamzie-gil Market is half mall and half outdoor bazaar. It’s on the main road of Insadong and is really easy to find. The mall contains over 70 shops that are filled with one-of-a-kind clothes, ceramics, furniture, food, and traditional Korean item. It’s a great place for some retail therapy or souvenir hunting.
Address: Ssamzie-gil Market, 44 Insadong-gil, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Beautiful Tea Museum
Beautiful Tea Museum is a tea shop and a tea museum all rolled into one. It’s located inside of a hanok building, which is a traditional Korean house. They exhibit a variety of tea from China, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and India to name just a few, while ceramic artworks and displays chronicling the history of tea drinking also appear.
Shin Old Tea House
The Shin Old Tea House is tucked away in an alleyway, away from the main hustle and bustle of the area. It’s small and only provides floor seating like a traditional Korean tea house. The lighting is dim and provides a very relaxing aura, while the tea list is extensive and boasts some fantastic regional specialties.
Address: Shin Old Teahouse, 164 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea