Jongno and Insadong
Temples, craft shops and the late-night market
Jongno is the old main street of the city. Insadong-gil has craft shops and tea houses, Jogyesa is the only traditional temple in the centre, and Gwangjang Market feeds people until 23:00. Jongmyo and Changgyeonggung are the quieter heritage sites on the east side.
Insadong-gil is at its busiest on Sundays, when it is car-free, per Visit Seoul. Ssamzigil, the spiral shopping complex, is open daily 10:30 to 20:30. Tea houses like the Beautiful Tea Museum, free, sit down the side streets.
Jogyesa is a short walk from Insadong, with free entry. Jongmyo, to the east, closes Tuesdays and on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays you can only go in on a guided tour. Changgyeonggung is cheaper at ₩1,000, with last entry at 20:00.
Gwangjang Market's food alley is open from 09:00 to 23:00 daily. The rest of the market closes at 18:00 and on Sundays. For a quieter meal, Imun Seolnongtang serves ox bone soup around ₩10,000, with a break between 15:00 and 16:30.
Getting there
Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1, 3 and 5) and Anguk (Line 3) serve Insadong. Jonggak (Line 1) is closest to Jogyesa. Jongno 5-ga (Line 1, exit 8) is the stop for Gwangjang Market, and Hyehwa (Line 4) is the stop for Changgyeonggung.
What to see
Walk Insadong-gil from the Anguk end toward Jonggak, stopping at Ssamzigil and the tea museum. Add Jogyesa at the end, and Cheonggyecheon lies just south.
Where to eat and drink
The Gwangjang food alley is the main event for dinner. Imun Seolnongtang is the old-school option, near Jonggak station exit 3-1.
Nearby neighbourhoods
The best of Jongno and Insadong
Things to do in Jongno and Insadong
What's on in Jongno and Insadong
Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.
Jogyesa one-day templestay Activities
Monday to Saturday, 10:00. Next: Mon 2 Nov · Jogyesa
A temple tour and lotus lantern making, meeting at the information desk by the Iljumun gate.
10,000 KRW · 10:00 to 11:20 · Map · Source: Templestay (Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism)
Jongmyo Shrine English Guided Tour Exhibition
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Next: Mon 2 Nov · Jongmyo Shrine
Jongmyo can be entered with a guide on set tours. English tours start at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The shrine is closed on Tuesdays.
Admission 1,000 won · 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 · Map · Source: Cultural Heritage Administration, Royal Palaces and Tombs Center · 종묘 영어 해설
Seoul Cooking Club Korean cooking class Activities
Daily, three sessions. Next: Mon 2 Nov · Seoul Cooking Club
On the seventh floor of the Bowon building next to Jonggak Station exit 12.
USD 100 · Brunch 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM; Lunch 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; Early Dinner 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM · Map · Source: Seoul Cooking Club
Byoungyun Woo: Superposition, Floating Landscape Exhibition
On now, until 3 Nov · Sun Gallery
Solo exhibition of 32 paintings by Byoungyun Woo at Sun Gallery in Insadong.
Map · Source: Sun Gallery · 중첩 : 들떠 있는 풍경
Changgyeonggung Palace English Guided Tour Exhibition
Tuesday to Sunday. Next: Tue 3 Nov · Changgyeonggung Palace
English tours start at 11:00 and 15:00, Tuesday to Sunday, beside Okcheongyo bridge. Each lasts about one hour.
Admission 1,000 won · 11:00 and 15:00 · Map · Source: Cultural Heritage Administration, Royal Palaces and Tombs Center · 창경궁 영어 해설
Changgyeonggung Palace Open Until 21:00 Exhibition
Tuesday to Sunday. Next: Tue 3 Nov · Changgyeonggung Palace
The palace is open until 21:00 all year, with last entry at 20:00. It is closed on Mondays.
Admission 1,000 won · 09:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:00) · Map · Source: Cultural Heritage Administration, Royal Palaces and Tombs Center · 창경궁 21시까지 개방
47th Seoul Dance Festival Performance
4 to 29 Nov · Arko Arts Theater Main Hall and Seoul Dance Center
A month of contemporary dance performances at Arko Arts Theater and the Seoul Dance Center on the theme of a single sense, for ages 7 and over.
Varies by show · Arko Arts Theater: weekdays 20:00, weekends 19:00. Seoul Dance Center: weekdays 19:30, weekends 19:00, closing ceremony 15:00 · Map · Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government festival portal · 제47회 서울무용제
Hangeul Braille Day: braille exhibition and braille name-card making Exhibition
4 to 6 Nov · Seoul Gallery, B1 (Seoul Library event)
Held at Seoul Gallery, B1 (Seoul Library event) from 2026-11-04 to 2026-11-06. Hours: Name-card making 11:00 to 17:00 (4 and 5 Nov), 11:00 to 19:00 (6 Nov); exhibition hours not printed. The page prints no admission.
Name-card making 11:00 to 17:00 (4 and 5 Nov), 11:00 to 19:00 (6 Nov); exhibition hours not printed · Map · Source: Seoul Library (lib.seoul.go.kr) · 2026년 한글 점자 반포 100주년 기념 「한글 점자의 날」 (한글 점자, 점자자료 전시 / 점자 명함 만들기 체험)
Barrier-free film screening and blindfold experience: Room Sharing (Hangeul Braille Day) Performance
Thu 5 Nov · Seoul Gallery, B1 (Seoul Library event)
Held at Seoul Gallery, B1 (Seoul Library event) on 2026-11-05. Hours: 15:00 to 17:00. The page prints no admission.
15:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Seoul Library (lib.seoul.go.kr) · 배리어프리 영화 상영 및 체험 「룸 쉐어링」
Temple food cooking class with English interpretation Activities
Fridays 6, 13 and 27 November and Saturdays 7, 14 and 21 November. Next: Fri 6 Nov · Korea Temple Food Culture Experience Hall
Hands-on temple food cooking for Koreans and foreigners together. Bring a 600 ml container for each dish.
20,000 KRW · 10:00 to 11:30 · Map · Source: Korea Temple Food Center (Jogye Order) · 한국사찰음식문화체험관 F-Temple Food(내외국인 함께 참여)
Show all 14 events
Marché@ Farmers' Market, Daehak-ro Market
Second Sunday of the month. Next: Sun 8 Nov (dates to be confirmed) · Marronnier Park, Daehak-ro 8-gil
Farmers' market in Jongno-gu on the second Sunday of every month, 11:00 to 16:00. The city page dates from May 2020, so check before a trip.
11:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government · 마르쉐@
Sunday tea meditation at the Templestay Information Center Activities
Every Sunday, 10:20. Next: Sun 8 Nov · Templestay Information Center
Free · 10:20 to 11:10 · Map · Source: Templestay (Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism) · 차명상 (일요일) AM 10:20~11:10
I's Outcry, E's Monologue Exhibition
On now, until 17 Dec · OCI Museum
Collection exhibition at the OCI Museum looking at works through an MBTI lens, with about 45 participating artists.
Map · Source: OCI Museum · 《I의 외침, E의 독백》
New Year Wish Lantern raising day at Jogyesa Festival
Tue 1 Dec · Jogyesa
Lanterns for the new year are raised on the pagoda tree at Jogyesa temple.
Map · Source: Jogyesa · 새해소망등 회화나무 연등 올리는 날
Show 1 event nearby, outside Jongno and Insadong
Bosingak Bell Ringing Ceremony Performance
Every day except Monday, at noon (also closed March 1, August 15 and in bad weather). Next: Tue 3 Nov · Bosingak Pavilion, Jongno
The bell at Bosingak Pavilion is rung 12 times at noon every day except Monday, and only the bell ringing experience needs a reservation.
12:00 · Map · Source: Seoul Tourism Organization (Visit Seoul) · 보신각 타종
Live music in Jongno and Insadong
- Sejong Center for the Performing Arts 56 upcoming gigs
- Seoul Donhwamun Gugakdang 20 upcoming gigs
- Seoul Namsan Gugakdang 14 upcoming gigs
- National Theater of Korea 13 upcoming gigs
- Samcheonggak 9 upcoming gigs
- Jangchung Arena 3 upcoming gigs
- Gangbuk Arts Center 3 upcoming gigs
- Dongdaemun Arco Camellia Hall 1 upcoming gig
From the blog
Stay in Jongno and Insadong
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