Jung

Location of the Jung area in Seoul

N Seoul Tower seen from the Central

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.

Get in

By train

See also: South Korea#Get around#By train, High-speed rail in South Korea

Jung hosts 1 Seoul Station, which is the hub for all high-speed KTX trains in the country, and for many destinations via regular rail. The AREX train from this station will also take you directly to Seoul's Incheon International Airport. The station also has a shopping mall, and the site is close to Culture Station 284 and Seoullo 7017. There are many protests, demonstrations, and beggars at the Seoul station plaza.

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. Many inner and outer city bus lines pass through the district for easy access.

See

Deoksugung

Sungnyemun Gate, also known as Namdaemun Gate or South Gate

• 1 Cheonggye Stream, Sejongno Cheonggyecheon, 31 Taepyeonno 1(il)ga (near Cheonggye Plaza near Insa-dong). 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.  
• 2 Deoksugung (덕수궁, 德壽宮), 57, Namdaemun-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, 특별시 중구 남대문로1길 57 (태평로2가) (in downtown Seoul across the street from city hall). Tu-Su 09:00-21:00. 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. Adults (19 to 64 years old): ₩1,000 (groups: ₩800), children (aged 7–18) and soldiers: ₩500 (groups: ₩400), children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: free.  
• 3 Namdaemun Gate (남대문, 南大門) (Metro Line 1, City Hall station). 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.  
• 4 Myeong-Dong Cathedral (명동성당) (get off at Exit 1 of Myeong-dong Station and cross the crosswalk). 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. (updated Oct 2019)
• 5 T.um, Jung-gu, Euljiro 2-ga 11 (서울시 중구 을지로 2가 11) (Euljiro 1-ga station exit 4), ☏ +82 2 6100 0601. 09:00-18:00. 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. Free. 
• 6 Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관), 61, Deoksugung-gil (City Hall station, exit 10), ☏ +82 2 2124-8800, sema@seoul.go.kr. 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. (updated Apr 2017)
• 7 Seoul City Hall (서울시청사), 110 Sejongdae-ro (City Hall station), ☏ +85 2 120. 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. (updated Apr 2017)

View of Seoul Station, Culture Station Seoul 284 from the Seoullo 7017

• 8 Culture Station Seoul 284 (문화역서울284), 1 Tongil-ro (get out of Exit 2, at subway Seoul Station (Metro Line 1, 4)), seoul284@kcdf.kr. Tu-Su 10:00-19:00. 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. (updated Jan 2018)
• 9 Seoullo 7017 (서울로 7017) (Seoul Station (line 1, 4, AREX), exit 2. From the Seoul Station (long distance train), there's a walkway at the parking lot's rooftop near Lotte Mart), ☏ +82-2-313-7017. 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. (updated Aug 2024)
• 10 Seoul Anglican Cathedral (대한성공회 서울 주교좌 성당), 15 Sejong-daero 21-gil (City Hall station (Line 1 &2), exit 3). 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. (updated Mar 2022)
• 11 Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐 박물관), Bank of Korea, 39, Namdaemun-ro, ☏ +82 2 759 4881. Tu-Su 10:00~17:00. 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. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
• 12 Korea Financial History Museum (한국 금융사 박물관), 135-5 Sejong-daero, ☏ +82 2 2151 7677. M-Sa 10:00-18:00. It is a space where you can see Korea's financial development. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
• 13 Stamp Museum (우표 박물관), 70 Sogong-ro, ☏ +82 2 6450 5600. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. It is a space where you can see the process of mail change and various stamps of the world. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
• 14 Rice Museum (쌀박물관), 16 Saemunan-ro, ☏ +82 2 2080 5681. Nov-Feb: 09:30-17:30, Mar-Oct 09:30-18:00. It is a space where you can learn about the history of rice. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
• 15 Agricultural Museum (농업 박물관), 16 Saemunan-ro, ☏ +82 2 2080 5727. Tu-Su 09:30-17:30. It is a space where you can see various exhibitions on agriculture and traditional agricultural culture. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
• 16 Seoul Animation Center, 48, Sogong-ro, ☏ +82 2-3455-8341. 02-3455-8341. 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. (updated Sep 2023)
• 17 Seoul National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Deoksu Palace (국립현대미술관 덕수궁관), 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 2-2022-0600. 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. (updated Oct 2024)

Do

Namdaemun, the southern gate, at night

• 1 Seven Luck Casino (in the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel). 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. 

• 2 Sparex 24 (시 스파렉스), 247 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung District, Seoul, Corée du Sud (B3 of good morning city mall next to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)), ☏ +82 2-2273-2777. 24x7. 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, wifi (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 tv 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. Day arrival (5:00-20:00) ₩ 12000 (child 7000), night arrival ₩ 15000 (8000), out ticket ₩ 20000. Food court meals ₩ 5000-30000, drinks 3000-7000, snacks 2000-4000 including chips, instant noodles. (updated Jul 2024)

Buy

A shopping street of Myeongdong by night

• 1 Myeong-dong. 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.  

Namdaemun Market at night

• 2 Namdaemun Market. 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.  

Department stores

• 3 Lotte Young Plaza, 81, Namdaemun-ro (Subway Euljiro 1-ga exit 7). Just across the street from Avatar department store, this department store is oriented towards a younger, upscale clientele, and in addition to the usual Korean brands and international brands, the top floor of the space features an assortment of quality eating establishments to replenish your shopping energy. The wine bar is recommended. Sometimes art installations can be found on the top floor. Credit cards accepted. 
• 4 Migliore, 263 Jangchungdan-ro. 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. 
• 5 Shinsegae, 2-5 Chungmuro 1-Ga (Subway line 4 Hoehyun exit #7, bus 0014, 1016, 7013, 406, 503, 505, 9400, 9402, 9410, 9502, 9710), ☏ +82 2 1588-1234. 10:30-20:00. The oldest department store on the Korean peninsula. The original building was refurbished in 2008 and became a high-street boutique. Accepts major credit cards, including Amex and JCB. 

Eat

• 1 Gogung (고궁), 37, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu (In a basement, take the stairs to the left immediately after crossing the entrance to Ssamziegil.), ☏ +82 2-736-3211. 10:00-22:00. Specialty restaurant for bibimbab at a moderate price. ₺11,000-37,000. 
• Jeonju Jungang Hoegwan (전주 중앙 회관), Myeong-dong (Myeong-dong Station, exit 5), ☏ +82 2 776-3400. Daily 08:30-22:30. This Korean restaurant specializes in the Jeonju variety of bibimbap, which features different ingredients and spices than other bibimbap dishes. Delicious and healthy. Meals ₩8,000-12,000. 
• HONOGI (호노지), Myeong-dong. Japanese restaurant sells really good beer called Ah-Sa-Hee (아사히) 
• Touch of Spice (터치 오브 스파이스). Asian dining and bar. Clean & modern interior design and the foods look amazing. 
• 2 Samarkand. 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. 
• 3 Myeongdong Kyoja, 25-2 2-ga, Myeong-dong, ☏ +82 2-776-5348. 10:30-21:30. Beef gyoza soup, unique dish but tasty. ₩8000. 
• Nampomyeonok, 24, Eulji-ro 3-gil, ☏ +82 02-777-3131. M-F 11:30-22:00, Sa Su 11:30-21:00. 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 and Lee Myung-bak, as well as current President 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. (updated Sep 2023)

Drink

• RAndy's Bar (RAndy's Pub), 동대문구 (get off HUFS station line 1 and go out exit 6, walk 100 meters and turn left. RAndy's is on the little alleyway on your right). 17:30-02:00. 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. 
• Ban-Ji-Reum (반지름). 
• Mezz Bar. Bar known for cocktails 
• Levenbroee (레벤브로이). Known for beer but also due to the view from the bar, which is amazing. 
• 2MOON Cafe & Pub (레벤브로이), 580-25 Changsin-dong Jongno-gu Seoul (walk up to the top floor of a building that houses a clothing coworking space on the ground floor called Changshin Azit 3), ☏ 0507-1359-7885NOCC. 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. (updated Nov 2024)

Sleep

Budget

Love hotels, are also a great option. Love hotels are mainly visited by couples who want some private places during day or night, most of the love hotels (especially those in Gangnam district) are exceptionally clean and usually have widescreen TVs, PCs and so forth. Don't let the name fool you... some of these are the best bets for budget travelers! Some love hotels discourage stays of more than one night. Main love hotel districts in Seoul include Teheran Street near Yeoksam station in the Gangnam district, Nambu Terminal in Seocho-dong, Bangi station in Jamsil and the area near the Nakwon market in Jongno. ₩25,000-80,000 a night, more on Saturday nights and holidays.

Alternatively, try a jjimjilbang (See Sparex 24 above, for example). You don't get a room of your own, but you can store your luggage into one of the small lockers and you can live quite cheaply for a long time, sleeping in the public sleeping rooms and enjoying the hot-tub and steam room facilities (sometimes a gym is available, also movies and TV shows often play until 23:00 or so). To find a jjimjilbang keep an eye out for the words jjimjilbang (찜질방) or 24 hr sauna (24시 사우나) in Korean. Not all saunas have jjimjilbang stay-over facilities, so watch out for that. ₩4,000-12,000/night.

• 1 Able Hostel/Guesthouse, No. 205, Unit 1, Kumho twin tower, 89-1, Gwanghui-dong (Metro Line 2,4,5, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, exit 5,7, 1 min walk) (Airport bus NO6001, Dongdaemun Market. stop, 5 min walk)), ☏ +82 10 2909 1086, ablehostel@gmail.com. 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. ₩20,000~50,000. 
• IMI Hotel, Yeoksam 2-dong 718-18, Gangnam-gu, ☏ +82 2 3453-4303. At the higher end of the love hotel spectrum, some rooms feature Japanese spas and oxygen generators. ₩60,000+. 
• 2 Namsan Guesthouse, 50-1 Namsandong 2-ga (Metro Line 3, Myeong-dong stn, use exit 3 and walk 100 m up to the right of the Pacific Hotel), ☏ +82 2 752-6363. In the shadow of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park. Free Internet access, free breakfast, kitchen. ₩45,000 and up. 
• 3 Seoul Backpackers, 205-125, Namchang-Dong (Metro Line 4, Hoehyeon Station, use exit No 4 and walk down the road; turn left into the next road and you will find the hostel on that road after about 100 m), ☏ +82 2-3672-1972. Backpacker hangout with English-speaking staff. Free Internet. Laundry ₩5,000. Single/double ₩40,000/₩50,000 with own tiny bathroom. 
• 4 Silloam Sauna, 128-104 Jungnim-dong (10-min walk from Seoul Station), ☏ +82 2-364-3944. 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. ₩15,000. 
• Zaza Backpackers, 32-3 Namsandong-2ga (Metro Line 4, Myeongdong stn Exit 2), ☏ +82 2 3672-1976. Helpful English speaking staff help you to feel right at home. Free Wi-Fi, 24 hr access, Private bathroom in each rooms. 24 hr security, towels and hairdryer for hire, parking. Tour info and booking service. Free international phone. 
• Seoul Municipal Youth Hostel (서울유스호스텔), 6, Toegye-ro 26ga-gil, ☏ +82-02-319-1376, syh1318@hotmail.com. 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. (updated Jun 2024)

Mid-range

• 5 Ibis Hotel Myeongdong, 59-5 Myeong-dong 1Ga (across Lotte Young Plaza, 1 min walking from Euljiro-1 station exit 7), ☏ +82 2 6361 8888, bismres@ambatel.com. Very central, free internet access. 

Splurge

• Lotte Hotel, 30, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 2 771 1000. 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. 
• 6 Millennium Hilton Seoul, 395, 5-ga, Namdaemun-ro, ☏ +82-2-7537788, fax: +82 2 754-2510, seoul@hilton.com. Near the Central Railway Station and Namdaemun market. Shuttle buses from and to Incheon international airport. Stylish rooms, eight restaurants, various shops and services and an indoor tropical garden. rates start from ₩250,000.. (updated Oct 2020)
• Plaza Hotel, 119 Sogongro Junggu Seoul (near Seoul Cityhall), ☏ +82 2 771 2200. 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. 
• 7 Shilla Seoul, 202 Jangchung-dong 2-ga. One of the city's premier hotels. 
• Pacific Hotel (퍼시픽호텔). Starting ₩180,000. 
• Se-Jong (세종호텔). This hotel has the beautiful view including the Namsan Tower Starting ₩220,000. 

Connect

PC rooms are readily available in this area, with high speed access and fairly new machines.