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District in South Korea
Photo: by Moody75, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Jung (중, 中, which means central) is in Seoul, constituting the southern half of the historic core of Seoul, along with Jongno. Jung is busier than its tranquil neighbor, with hundreds of offices buildings and endless streets of frantic shopping, but scattered among the hustle and bustle are more historic gems. To begin with, Jung has some of the only remaining European-style buildings left over from the Japanese Colonial period, the City Hall, the Bank of Korea, and the old Seoul Station. Next to the City Hall is the only one of the Five Grand Palaces outside of Jongno, Deoksu-gung. South and southeast of the City Hall are the famed shopping districts Myeongdong (명동) and Namdaemum Market. Further to the east is the largest fashion shopping district in Korea, Dongdaemun, with dozens of huge department store fashion complexes. If the shopping ever gets too much for you, retreat to Namsan Mountain, which has a pleasant park, library, hiking trails, and the N. Seoul Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city from the summit.
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This stream has been restored to a verdant tourist attraction after long being covered by a busy freeway. You can walk many kilometers along its path through the very center of Seoul. Be cautious during the rainy day, because it may be flooded.
덕수궁, 德壽宮
Deoksu Palace vividly contrasts with the other nearby palaces like Changdeok Palace. Built during the mid-15th century, the architecture of the buildings inside are heavily influenced by Western designs. Hence, you will see a fusion of Korean and Western architecture. The stone-wall narrow way around the palace is a beautiful and famous path for the lovers, although there was a myth that they would break up when they visit, because the Family court, which people go to get divorced, was located near here. You can go now since it moved to Seocho-gu.
남대문, 南大門
The Great South Gate is an iconic symbol of Seoul and has been designated as National Treasure Number 1. Particularly beautiful when floodlit at night, and best combined with a visit to the adjacent Namdaemun Market. Much of the structure was destroyed by arson in 2008, although a faithful reconstruction was completed in 2013. Formally known as 'Sungnyemun' (숭례문, 崇禮門). The other city gates can be found in the neighboring Jongno district.
명동성당
Designed by a Coste priest, and build with financial support from the Paris Church Department, this was the house of Bum-Woo Kim and purchased by Marie Jean Gustave Blanc (under the Korean name Gamilro Kim). With a successful trade agreement in 1887, the cathedral was finally built in 1898. This building was the first church built with bricks. The height of the building proper is 23 m, but with the addition of the spires, the full height is 45 m. Bricks used in the building were made in Korea and come in about 20 different shapes, as well as colors ranging from greyish color to dark wineish color. The cathedral was a place where many democratic events took place in the 1970s and 80s, especially in the June Democracy movement in 1987.
The future of technology can often be seen today in South Korea, and SK Telecom have created a museum dedicated to it! Exhibits change frequently due to the rapid pace of technology being shown. Preschoolers not allowed. Online pre-registration necessary, make sure to reserve early as its gets full weeks in advance.
서울시립미술관
Renovated from an old court building, it mainly exhibits contemporary art works. You can see installments and video arts as well as paintings and sculptures. A cafe is with a souvenir shop on the first floor.
서울시청사
The old city hall was built under Japanese rule and it was renovated to a public library. In back of the old hall, the huge new city hall was built. In the basement, there is Citizen Hall, where musical performances and exhibitions are held for citizens. City Hall Square, in front of the hall, is open to public and political demonstrations. Every winter, Ice rink opens at the Square.
문화역서울284
A culture center at the old Seoul Station. It was built in 1925 during the Japanese Colonial period, and the center of the Korean railway until 2004 when the current building for KTX opened. It reopened in 2011 as a culture center, and it hosts many exhibitions. The pre-modern architecture inspired by the Lucerene station (which has burnt down) offers unique sight among the glassy buildings of Seoul.
서울로 7017
A former motorway turned into pedestrian walkway. Opened in 2017, it offers a unique view above the cars and rails, with gardens and cafes along the path. Night view with car lights and neon signs is especially beautiful.
대한성공회 서울 주교좌 성당
A central cathedral of the Diocese of Seoul. It was first built in 1920s and has a blended architecture of neo romanesque style with Korean traditional components.
한국은행 화폐 박물관
You can find out about 20,000 rare domestic and foreign currencies held by the Bank of Korea and the money manufacturing process and the country's economic process.
한국 금융사 박물관
It is a space where you can see Korea's financial development.
우표 박물관
It is a space where you can see the process of mail change and various stamps of the world.
쌀박물관
It is a space where you can learn about the history of rice.
농업 박물관
It is a space where you can see various exhibitions on agriculture and traditional agricultural culture.
Seoul Animation Center (48, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea) is a space where you can read over 30,000 comic books and animations for free, and is comprised of a 1st and 1.5-story duplex. Except for Mondays and other designated closed days, ‘Comics Cafe’ on the first floor is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the admission fee is free. ‘Ani Picnic’ on the 2nd floor is open from 10:00 to 18:00, and the admission fee is 4,000 won for adults and 6,000 won for children. You can meet popular Korean characters such as Pororo and Tayo in person.
국립현대미술관 덕수궁관
Various artworks are displayed differently from time to time. You have to pay an additional exhibition admission fee in addition to the entrance fee to Deoksugung Palace.
The casino is only accessible to foreigners (it is illegal for Korean citizens to gamble), so remember to bring your passport. Various card tables and slots are available to play. There is a bar and cafe that serve food and drinks, although expensive.
시 스파렉스
This jjimjilbang or Korean sauna occupies two levels of mall basements. B3 is the entrance, big luggage store near reception, valuables storage at reception, shoes locker, separate showers and bath for men and women (with another larger locker, shared key with shoes locker, missing ventilation so if got wet clothes because of rain, let them out else won’t dry; bar soap) and an extra sleeping room per gender. B4 is the jjimjilbang itself (Korean village replica, saunas, common and "individual" sleeping spaces - individual can accommodate 2 persons), food court. aircon, Wi-Fi (not necessarily in all corners), power plugs (mostly side table and few common areas), water fountains hot/cold. Staff has limited English and not very friendly but lot of explanations on wall in Korean, English and Japanese. Unless taking the special ticket, you can't get out and come back without paying again. Outside food and drink not allowed (except water). After paying at reception, get clothes and key, take shower, after bath/saunas and enjoy. few big TVs in common areas. small basic pillows available. no blanket provided. Likely busier on weekends and lot of people staying night until after 8am on Saturdays.
고궁
Specialty restaurant for bibimbab at a moderate price.
전주 중앙 회관
This Korean restaurant specializes in the Jeonju variety of bibimbap, which features different ingredients and spices than other bibimbap dishes. Delicious and healthy.
In the heart of "Central Asian Town", which has Russian, Mongolian, Uzbek, and Central Asian restaurants. Wander around and discover the area a bit - you'll be rewarded with delicious food and an exotic experience.
Beef gyoza soup, unique dish but tasty.
This is a restaurant specializing in cold buckwheat-based noodles (Pyongyang’s cold noodles). This is a place visited by former presidents such as Moon Jae-in, Lee Myung-bak and Yoon Seok-yeol. This restaurant is located in a lively narrow alley in an area dense with office buildings, and consists of a room with table-style seating and cushion-style tables.
A popular all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant, offering unlimited premium pork and beef grilled over charcoal. With multilingual menus, a self-service buffet of fresh banchan, sauces, and a DIY ramen station, Mongvely combines local flavor with tourist-friendly service.
82올리언즈
American-home-style restaurant with a cute interior.
대엽 을지로점
Restaurant that specializes in Pyongyang naengmyeon and various Pyongyang food.
연해장
It is a restaurant specializing in pork small intestine hot pot that features a clean and modern interior, and is loved by many customers even if the waiting is long. They have gopchang hot pot with a variety of side menus, and the soup of the hot pot boasts a deep and thick taste and uses fresh gopchang without any odor. In addition, it is sold as a meal kit, so you can enjoy it easily at home.
강산옥
Opened in 1958, the restaurant specializes in traditional soybean dishes that serve only soybean noodles in the summer and serve soybean meal for the rest of the year. It is open for only two and a half hours a day, and needs to be careful when visiting because it can be closed early when the ingredients are exhausted. It consists of thick and savory soybean soup and chewy noodles, and is served with kimchi.
박가네 빈대떡 본점
It is the representative restaurant of Gwangjang Market, which has been around since 1966, and serves savory and crispy bindaetteok by grinding 100% green beans directly into a millstone. It is also popular with foreign tourists, has a variety of menus and friendly service.
한우정
Korean BBQ restaurant specializing in 1++ Korean Hanwoo beef, Korea’s highest-quality beef grade. Inspired by the elegance of a traditional hanok, Hanwoojeong provides refined Korean dining and a warm, sophisticated atmosphere. Guests can experience carefully selected cuts including sirloin, striploin, tenderloin and other premium specialties, complemented by Korean side dishes and classic accompaniments.
RAndy's Pub
Foreign-owned bar in front of Hankook University of Foreign Studies known for a varied clientele, great pool table, and affordable prices. Has Red Rock and Hoegaarden on tap.
반지름
Bar known for cocktails
레벤브로이
Known for beer but also due to the view from the bar, which is amazing.
레벤브로이
Low key, cozy cafe tucked away on the rooftop of a low building. Serves tea, coffee, drinks and cocktails. Quiet and very atmospheric at night, great for conversations, popular with and seemingly known only to locals. Owner speaks fluent English, studied in Texas and is happy to chat. Some of the clothing made downstairs by indie designers is sold here too.
재해석
It is a pudding specialty cafe that boasts a unique vintage interior and cozy atomosphere.
아소토베이커리
It is a bakery with a cute atmosphere where you can feel the Japanese Kitsaten sensibility.
공간갑
It is a dessert cafe located in Euljiro, especially famous for pudding bingsu and various cakes
링링
It is a space famous for its Y2K sensibility and kitschy interior. It offers a variety of desserts and drinks, and cakes and jelly sodas are especially popular. The interior of the store is cozy and has many photo zones, making it a great place to take pictures. Also, cute props and goods are on sale, so it entertains visitors.
베카롱 베이글
A handmade bagel specialty store, all bagels are hand-rolled and feature a light, chewy texture. A takeout specialty store, it also offers a variety of cream cheese and bagel sandwiches, and it's affordable and cost-effective.
New, comfortable, young clientele, with decent baths and a friendly owner and staff. Each room has computers available for free Internet use, Wi-Fi throughout. This place is near Dongdaemun Market but very quiet when you sleep. No curfew. Kitchen, free laundry.
At the higher end of the love hotel spectrum, some rooms feature Japanese spas and oxygen generators.
In the shadow of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park. Free Internet access, free breakfast, kitchen.
Backpacker hangout with English-speaking staff. Free Internet. Laundry ₩5,000.
This is a very large jjimjilbang with great facilities, but the family atmosphere of other jjimjilbangs is sometimes lacking. The locker-room staff will stow oversized luggage if you ask, and a morning wake-up call can be arranged. Sleeping facilities are excellent, clean, comfortable and usually fairly quiet. There are two large dormitories for men and women, plus a snorers' room which sounds like a dragon's lair. The dormitories are arranged unconventionally into lines of bunk beds, more like an open capsule hotel than a standard sleeping floor. In the communal area there are various hot rooms, an ice room, a large gym, a PC room, singing and games rooms and a restaurant. The sauna area has 6 main pools with supposedly healthy minerals and showers. Includes access to public baths, exercise facilities, and various entertainment rooms.
Helpful English speaking staff help you to feel right at home. Free Wi-Fi, 24 hr access, Private bathroom in each room. 24 hr security, towels and hairdryer for hire, parking. Tour info and booking service. Free international phone.
서울유스호스텔
Once the epicentre of terror and torture of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency before democracy, its headquarters is now a government-run youth hostel that provides affordable accommodation. Young travellers under 24 are entitled to a discounted price. Outside the hostel there is also a basement used as a torture chamber, which is refurbished as a museum.
Very central, free internet access.
Grand old lady of downtown Seoul's hotels with 1,300 rooms, all kept in tip-top shape. The obvious choice for ornate Korean luxury.
Completely redesigned as Korea’s luxury boutique hotel in 2010, The Plaza is now an exceptionally beautiful, independent luxury hotel in the heart of the business, shopping, and entertainment districts of Seoul.
One of the city's premier hotels. It was built by the Park Chung-hee government in 1967 as the state guest house for visiting foreign dignitaries, and was converted to a luxury hotel in 1979. While the hotel guest rooms are in a modern 1970s high-rise building, the original state guest house, known as Yeong Bin Gwan and built in a traditional Korean architectural style, has been preserved on the hotel property and can today be rented for events such as weddings and conferences. It is a popular venue for South Korean celebrities and tycoons to get married.
퍼시픽호텔
세종호텔
This hotel has the beautiful view including the Namsan Tower
Probably the best-known shopping area. It is definitely the most tourist-friendly fashion area. In spring and summer, fashion models/sidewalk promoters can be seen strolling the streets of Myeongdong promoting various cosmetics, stores or other fashion-related products. Many regular people also tend to catwalk their newest outfit on these streets. Rows of stores are available to look for that perfect accessory, and most of Korea's major brands can be found here: mVIO, Caspi Conus, WhoAU California, AHM, So.Basic, Noxon, Basic House, UGIZ, 1492, nipper, hang ten, A6, Bean Pole, Jambangee, Giordano as well as a few international brands such as Lacoste, Land Rover, Adidas, Gap, Zara, Koolhaas, Uniqlo, Anna Sui, and Forever 21. Nearby are the Lotte and Shinsegae department stores. Excellent street food carts are all around from around 17:00.
The largest traditional street market in Korea. This market is in the center of Seoul and is a famous shopping place for tourists. Clothing for children and accessories are the most-commonly sold goods in this market, but there's lots of food as well and many outdoor eating options, especially in the evening. There is also a huge digital camera market in this area.
Located within Myeong-dong, the Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center contains the largest number of shops specializing in Korean and world numismatics for both local and international numismatists.
밀리오레
One of the biggest fashion buildings in Seoul. It has 17 floors above ground and 7 basement floors. Information boards in Migliore are written in Korean as well as English, Japanese and Chinese for foreign tourists. US credit cards are often accepted, but ask before haggling if you aren't sure. The outside stage features a "talent show" of local dance groups (mostly high school or college student groups) most nights until about 21:00.
The oldest department store on the Korean peninsula. The original building was refurbished in 2008 and became a high-street boutique. Accepts major credit/debit cards, including Amex and JCB.
By Metro
The southern part of Myeong-dong is served by Myeong-dong Station on Line 4 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, while the northern area is closer to Euljiro 1-ga Station on Line 2.
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