3 Best Sights in Jongno-gu, Seoul

Within this maze of hanoks (traditional Korean houses) you'll find a host of trendy bars, cafés, shopping, and hip restaurants. The quaint alleyways are a great place to stroll among the area's history as it mixes with contemporary Korean culture.

Full of restaurants and street vendors, modern art galleries and traditional crafts, this neighborhood is buzzing with energy year-round. An interesting blend of the old and new, it connects the historic neighborhoods and palaces of northern Seoul to the fast-paced modern downtown. While there are any number of interesting shops, teahouses, and restaurants, the modern Ssamzie-gil complex is worth a special stop. The four-story building is home to more than 70 shops and restaurants, from inexpensive crafts to works by world-famous designers. Insa-dong is one of the best places in the city to shop for souvenirs or antiques. A number of shops sell generic "made in China" ceramics and goods though, so be sure what you are getting is the real thing. Although it has become more tourist-centered in the past few years, Insa-dong remains one of Seoul's best areas to spend the day.

Becoming ever more trendy, Seochon is the neighborhood to come for fine dining and a glass of wine. Vintage shops, traditional hanok houses, and an art museum, Park No-soo Art Museum, can be explored along its streets, which lie just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Traditional food can be sampled at Sejong Village Food Street.