Insa-dongClaimed by the owner

Insa-dong is a neighborhood (dong) in Jongno District, central Seoul. Its main street, Insadong-gil, runs between a network of narrow alleys lined with art galleries, traditional craft shops, antique dealers, tea houses, and restaurants. The area covers about 12.7 hectares and has long been Korea's largest market for antiques and artwork.

From officials' quarter to antiques district

Insa-dong began around 500 years ago as an area where government officials lived, during the early Joseon period (1392 to 1897). Its name comes from two former towns, one ending in the syllable In and the other in Sa. During the Japanese occupation, wealthy Korean residents were forced to move and sell their belongings, and the area turned into a center for antiques trading. After the Korean War it became a hub of South Korea's art and cafe culture, drew foreign visitors during the 1960s who called it "Mary's Alley," and gained wider international attention around the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The area was renovated in 2000, and rapid modernization was later halted for two years after protests.

Galleries, shops, and street life

Around 100 galleries are concentrated in Insa-dong, showing everything from Korean painting to printmaking and sculpture. The neighborhood holds a large share of the country's antique shops, art galleries, and traditional stationery shops, and it includes Tongmungwan, described as the oldest bookstore in Seoul, and the Kyung-in tea house. Ssamziegil, a shopping mall built around handcraft specialty stores, opened in 2004. On Saturdays and Sundays the main street becomes a car-free zone with traditional performances. Daily calligraphy demonstrations and pansori performances also take place in the area. Nearby landmarks include Unhyeongung, the Jogyesa Buddhist temple, and Bosingak bell pavilion. Insa-dong is reached from Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, and Anguk subway stations.