Insadong lights at night

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." said Saint Augustine. So in order to read the whole book, we should start travelling. In addition, travelling is the best meditation for a person as it can easily relieve stress or ensure peace of mind.

If Korea is your current destination, you do not have to go far from Seoul. Insadong is a perfect place to start your amazing trip. If you are a newcomer or a tourist, there is no way you haven’t heard of Insadong as it is the most widely known touristic place in the heart of Seoul.

A street exhibit of pictures and crafts

The closest station to Insadong, if you go by subway, is Anguk station, line 3 (Exit 6). As soon as you get out of the subway, you will find yourself on your way to Insadong. You need to keep going straight for a minute and take a turn to the left; that is the entrance to the wonderful Insadong world. My unforgettable trip started on the crowded and lively streets of Insadong which is almost the central part of the city. This area is popular with its traditional way of introducing Korea, attracting tourists to enjoy different accessories, traditional clothes, food and drinks, visiting national museums and art galleries.

Even though I went there in the middle of the week, there were still a lot of visitors strolling through the alleys excitedly window shopping, viewing traditional clothes and unique pieces of Korean masterpiece such as old-patterned dishes, Korean writings on paper, and amazing handmade national crafts.

The area embraces a lot of shops where you can find anything you want and each of them is distinctive because they offer you a variety of selections such as national masks, hanboks, traditional scarves, hand-made Korean dolls, and colorful pictures. The salesmen are very welcoming and open. Once you enter their shop, they are willing to answer the questions you may have. Insadong is also a good place where you can try cheap but tasty street food such as Korean barbecue, hand-made eomuk and rice cakes, traditional candy, sausages, strawberries with honey, corn cookies and many others. It means you do not have to go somewhere specific to dine as there are many eateries on your way. While you are in Insadong, you cannot just go past one of the most popular markets called Ssamzigil Market.

Korean traditional dishes

Shop of national products

Ssamzigil Market is another must-go spot for tourists that features cafes, galleries, and workshops that mix traditional and modern Korean styles. The market is made up of four floors, one of which is a basement floor where you can find restaurants, workshops, and food shops. The entrance of the market is designed with green grass on both sides and there is a big courtyard inside the market. You are able to get your picture drawn as a cartoon character on the right side of the market after you enter. This put a smile on my face. Unfortunately, I was running out of time so I could not get my own picture drawn, but I recommend you to try it. The first floor mostly has workshops while the second floor is a place to sell Korean handicrafts, clothing and accessories. Lastly, the fourth floor features galleries, craft exhibition halls, and a book cafe. You may enjoy a stunning view of the street from the fourth floor and the top floor is also considered as a place for sweethearts. So if you are in Korea with your beloved one, you do not want to miss this place and can take some nice photos. Once you are in Ssamzigil Market, you should try the poop-shaped bread. It’s only 1000 won for the red bean filling. I tried the one with chocolate filling that cost 1500 won.

A traditional Korean house – Hanok

Bukchon Hanok Village which is a 10-minute walk from Insadong is a sight for any tourist to see. Visiting this village will be a perfect way of exploring historical Korea since there are mostly hanok houses, Korean traditional houses, on these streets.

I was able to discover interesting facts about hanok houses. I bet you didn’t know hanoks are built like legos without any iron bars or nails, and can be dismantled and easily rebuilt in a new spot when necessary. You will be amazed to see the cheomas (edges of hanok's curvy roofs), beautifully-patterned and curved windows or doors. After a very short-distance walk through the village, you may smell a distinctive aroma and there you will see a small house full of traditional perfumes for houses with various types of smell. Some hanok houses have been converted into cafes, shops, restaurants and other attractions for tourists.

A view from the top of Bukchon Hanok Village

You may book a tour in advance which will guide you through the village. In order to join these walking tours, you have to make a reservation in advance. To do so, visit <http://korean.visitseoul.net/walking-tour>, find the one (or more!) you are interested in (Bukchon Hanok Village in our case), make a reservation, show up on your reserved date and time to immerse yourself in the beauty of Korean history and architecture with a local interpreter. Bukchon Hanok Village Walking Tour, which takes 2-3 hours, is available at 10:00, 14:00 and 15:00 every day. Depending on the season, securing a spot can be quite competitive, so make sure to plan ahead. Reservation for each time slot is available for up to 10 people.

But you are also more than welcome to explore on your own. Please be mindful of signs around the area that read "Please, talk quietly!" as there are people living in the hanok houses. Visiting this village in the daytime or before the sunset is a great idea as you will witness the stunning view of the sky and also the surroundings from the top of the village. Moreover, in the village you may wear Korean traditional costumes - hanboks for a reasonable price.

Historical Hanok House

Before I finish, let me give you some important tips for the tour. First and foremost, you will be walking and climbing hills for 2 to 3 hours, so make sure that you are wearing your most comfortable shoes, light clothes and definitely don’t bring any heavy bags. As it can be a challenge for some, you might want to make sure that other itineraries for the day are less challenging. As Bukchon is in close proximity to other traditional tourist spots such as Insadong, Ikseondong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream, you can dwell more into historical attractions of Seoul after the tour.

Don’t forget to try traditional Korean cuisine and tea before you leave as Bukchon is home to many popular dining spots for traditional food and beverages.

Bukchon Hanok Village

More Information

Place Seoul Hotel

Seoul is a busy and vibrant city. It is easy to get lost in the hustle and lose track of time while being busy with your responsibilities at work and challenges at study. You may want to take a deep breath and give more time for your own enjoyment. At times like this, it is essential to take an occasional break from such a hectic routine to de-stress. I believe, travel is the best medicine to detox your lungs with fresh air. And at the same time, travel is a new classroom that gives you a good chance of learning more about the world.

Hotel view from outside

Hotel yard

While you are planning to travel, choosing a good place to stay is also a very significant part of your trip planning. The Place Seoul Hotel in which we stayed is near Insadong and a 3-minute walk from the subway station - Anguk (Exit 2). It is a traditional Korean house called hanok which has its own tiled roofs, wooden beams and stone-block construction.

A place for warm conversation

Reservation of a room in a hotel can be made by a phone call or online very easily. The cost of the hotel ranges from 90 000 won to 154,000 won per night. Family rooms are more expensive than single rooms. Hotel staff is available between the hours of 8 a.m to 6 p.m. It means if you come after 6 p.m, don’t be surprised not to see any staff members in the hotel. But they live in front of the hotel, so you are welcome to call them and they are ready to help you.

Amenities include free wi-fi which makes it possible for all visitors to use the internet. Breakfast is included in the price of a hotel, healthy and home-made breakfast consisting of organic bread, yoghurt, seasonal fruit, jam, tea and coffee. You can also make coffee for yourself as there is coffee grinder available to use as well as tea and sugar if you need.

Hotel Kitchen

Hotel Room

The atmosphere in the hotel makes you forget everything as you feel like you have stepped into an old Korean movie once you enter the hotel. There is a beautiful tree in the middle of a small yard. In warmer seasons you can spend your time enjoying the sky view or just relaxing in the yard as there are tables and chairs too. The room we booked was small but light. The room was designed for two people and was equipped with a mirror, hanger for clothes, a small bedside table, a hairdryer, air-conditioning, a lamp, a blanket, some pillows, and a fan. The restroom was shared but very clean and there is a shower with sets of towels. The kitchen contains a sink, a mini-fridge, a kettle and a microwave oven.