[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Seoul's top tourist destinations in 2023

K-campus

Published: 15 Dec. 2023, 07:00 Updated: 16 Dec. 2023, 22:02

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Seoul's top tourist destinations in 2023

"Seoul Edition23," the Seoul Tourism Organization's series of videos promoting the city, starring BTS's V, gained hundreds of millions of views since its release in September, with one of its videos alone getting 105 million views as of early December. [SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

"Seoul Edition23," the Seoul Tourism Organization's series of videos promoting the city, starring BTS's V, has gained hundreds of millions of views since its release in September, with one of its videos alone getting 105 million views as of early December.

After the massive success of "Seoul Edition23," the tourism organization analyzed which group of tourists visited which one of the 10 major spots, including Gwanghwamun Square, Namsan and Bukchon Hanok Village, introduced in the videos the most, and it made intriguing discoveries.

Here are the four retro-vintage spots most loved by tourists flocking to Seoul.

Ikseon-dong
익선동

Ikseon-dong in Jongno District, central Seoul [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Americans' No.1 pick was Ikseon-dong in central Seoul. More than a third of the tourists visited this neighborhood along with the nearby Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong. Newtro, a Konglish portmanteau of "new" and "retro" — meaning a modernized retro trend — took over the neighborhood a few years ago and has been drawing tourists ever since.

On the weekends, renovated hanok (traditional Korean-style homes), cafes and restaurants get packed with locals and tourists. Cheongsudang Bakery and Saltbread in Seaside are two of the hanok cafes currently in vogue, with long lines forming at their entrances.

"It is common to see foreign tourists filling more than half the seats [at our café]," an employee at Hanok Langsom, a cafe in the neighborhood, said.

Ikseon-dong has a street lined up with hanok, a very lively but narrow path that often gets congested with visitors. However, you may use not-so-suffocating congestion as an excuse to eye all the stops and cafes o the street without hurrying.

Ikseon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul
서울시 종로구 익선동

Dongmyo Flea Market
동묘 구제시장

Vintage shoes are on display at a stall at Dongmyo Flea Market in Jongno District, central Seoul, attracting tourists. [CHOI GI-UNG]

While Americans head to Ikseon-dong for cafes and architecture, Japanese tourists prefer a more authentic Korean experience. Dongmyo Flea Market in Jongno District, central Seoul, was chosen by around 15 percent of Japanese tourists as a place to visit during their stay in Korea.

Dongmyo Flea Market is close to Dongmyo Station on subway line No. 1. Stalls filled with vintage clothes, garments, books and electronics flood the streets, not to mention old Korean music tunes clashing to create a bizarre harmony.

It first gained the spotlight among younger Koreans around 10 years ago when the MBC reality TV show "Infinite Challenge" aired K-pop artist G-Dragon and comedian Jeong Hyeong-don shooting a music video with thrift clothing from one of the so-called stalls.

Once considered outdated and old, Dongmyo Flea Market is no longer merely an aged area. Rather, it is a unique neighborhood where old and new Seoul coexist and beckon intrigued hipsters.

A young tourist couple enjoys their visit at Dongmyo Flea Market. [CHOI GI-UNG]

"Many young Japanese tourists consider [Dongmyo Flea Market] a place to discover 'treasures' at low prices," a 33-year-old Japanese tourist said.

If you have plans to visit the Dongmyo area, brace yourself for an overwhelming experience of chaos and endless piles of goods. Be prepared to bend down for hours and go hunting for unexpected treasures. As a reward, some may find a great leather jacket at a fraction of the original price, while some may be pleasantly surprised by unique knickknacks.

Sungin-dong, Jongno District, Seoul
서울시 종로구 숭인2동

Gyeongdong Market
경동시장

Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, at night [YONHAP]

Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, is one of the top choices for Chinese tourists visiting Seoul after the Blue House, attracting nearly 17 percent of those coming to the country's capital.

The Blue House has been well-known among tourists as Korea's former presidential office and residence.

However, Gyeongdong Market has just recently popped up and gives off a truly authentic vibe of a traditional Korean market, still relatively lesser-known. Regardless, Chinese tourists were quick to discover this gem after the market appeared numerous times in the media.

The first came into existence in 1960 as Korea began recovering from the devastation the 1950–53 Korean War left. To this day, it is busy with vendors selling herbal medicine and produce, creating a uniquely herbal scent that fills up the entire venue.

Both young and old flock to the market, looking for street delicacies and sweet desserts. Also located in the market is the Starbucks Kyungdong 1960 branch, which welcomes those looking for caffeinated drinks. Multiple restaurants offering affordable and tasty meals also await at the market.

3 Gosanja-ro 36-gil, Dongdaemun District, Seoul

서울시 동대문구 고산자로36길 3

Bukchon Hanok Village
북촌한옥마을

Ikseon-dong in Jongno District, central Seoul, ranked first in the number of visits by American tourists. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Last but not least, Bukchon Hanok Village was the No. 1 tourist destination in Seoul this year, recording the highest number of foreign visitors, according to data by the Seoul Tourism Organization and LG Uplus.

Before scoffing and turning your head away from the most generic tourist getaway destination, you may want to be reminded this village never misses the top spot in terms of popularity.

The area shows its best colors under bright sunlight, with little shops and cafes hidden in every corner of the alleyway and hanok structures emitting their vivid colors.

Gyedong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
서울시 종로구 계동길

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BY BAEK JONG-HYUN, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]