Sam Cheong-dong is one of the most unique places in Seoul. It is located to the left of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the home of royalty during the Joseon Dynasty, and to the right of Changdeokgung Palace, a secondary palace during the Joseon Dynasty. According to the principles of feng-shui, it is stated that Sam Cheong-dong is an absolute ideal location. This is because the word, Sam Cheong-dong, has an historical background meaning before Sam Cheong-dong was established. “Sam” means “three” and “cheong” means clean or good. The name of this location was created by referring to three things: clean water, beautiful neighboring mountains and kind-hearted residents. Therefore, Sam Cheong- dong is not only a unique place where it exists and represents Korean history and traditions, but it is also a place that has a meaningful name within it. Let’s look around some of the popular and famous attractions of Sam Cheong-dong. How to go: Heukseok Station (Line 9) - Noryangjin Station (Line 1) - Jongno 3ga Station (Line 3) - Anguk Station (Line 3) [The time required: 40 minutes]Course: Donglim Knot Museum - Jeongdok Public Library - Seoul Educational Museum - Dosirak Pasta - Cha Masineun Tteul (teahouse)1. Donglim Knot MuseumDonglim Knot Museum has an outstanding exhibition of a variety of decorative traditional Korean hand-made up knots such as “norigae” for hanbok, belts, and pouches. Generally, these knots’ materials are made up of threads, cords and accessories. Housed in a hanbok, a traditional Korean house, the gallery has a variety of exhibits, including old and new artworks, and creations that reflect modern trends. There are about four sections that demonstrate Korean history based on how Koreans used these knots in the past. Starting from the very rare ones, there are numerous of hand-made knots that are re-created to fit the current trends. Making knots is open to anyone so people can come and make their own unique knots at the museum. This would be a great experience to not only learn about Korean history, but also to make one’s special knot that used to be very rare. Location: 10, Bukchon-ro 12gil, Jongno-gu Seoul Operating Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00am ~ 18:00pm (Closed on Mondays) Contact Info: 02-3673-2778 Price: Admission fee 1,000 won/ experiencing for making the bracelet is 7,000 won and for making the necklace is 10,000 won2. Jeongdok Public LibraryJeongdok Public Library is one of the largest and biggest libraries in Korea. Unlike normal libraries, it is surrounded by nature. It has not only a beautiful garden in front of it, but also resting areas around the fountain. Due to such an impressive scenery, Jeongdok Public Library is known as a one of the famous attractions in Sam Cheong-dong. As a public city library, it boasts over half a million books and 16,300 reference materials. In addition to the basic library functions such as lending books and offering archives and reading rooms to the public, the library runs various cultural programs as well. The library not only invites authors for photo exhibitions, reading seminars, and music and dance performances, but also hosts educational events on economy, science and society and shows. Moreover, it also shows three movies in the Audio-Visual Room on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday of each week. This library always tries to enrich the lives of Seoul citizens by providing them with the latest information and a diverse learning opportunities. Location: 48, Bukchon-ro 5gil, Jongno-gu, SeoulOperating Hours: Closed on the first and third Wednesday of every monthContact Info: 02-2011-5799Price: Free3. Seoul Educational MuseumSeoul Education Museum is located in Bukchon Hanok Village which is also located right next to Jeongdok Public Library. This museum is dedicated to Korean history of education, so the museum looks at the role and history of education in Korea from the Three Kingdom period, which is from 285AD to present. The museum basically shows how the Korean education system has changed in the past 150 years. Inside this museum, there are about a total of 13,540 items and about 1,309 of them are currently displayed chronologically. In there, you can find all kinds of relics that are related to education in Korea. Moreover, the museum is composed of two main halls. It has a good display of books, documents, figures, teaching and writing tools. Once you have looked around the museum, you can see the role and the power of education and accordingly how it made Korea the country that it is today. Location: 48, Bukchon-ro 5gil, Jongno-gu, SeoulOperating Hours: Weekdays 09:00am~18:00pm/ Weekends 09:00~17:00pm/ Closed on public holidays and the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every monthContact Info: 02-2011-5780Price: Free4. Dosirak PastaDosirak Pasta is one of the top 10 Sam Cheong-dong restaurants. This place is also famous for having come out on all of the popular cooking TV programs in Korea. This unique and exotic pasta restaurant cannot be seen anywhere else. The theme of this restaurant attracts all people. For example, unlike any other pasta restaurant, the exterior of this restaurant seems like it was built in 1980s. Furthermore, Dosirak Pasta’s interior props are also from the 80s as well. Therefore, customers feel like they are in the 1980s, at least while they are eating at this restaurant. In addition to the exterior and interior design, another thing that stands out from other pasta restaurant is that the pasta comes in a dosirak, a Korean traditional lunch box. Due to all the exotic props, materials, and designs, this Dosirak Pasta restaurant attracts not only the elders due to its familiarity, but also young people as well. Location: 124, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, SeoulOperating Hours: Everyday 11:30am~ 00:00 (Until the ingredients run out)/ Closed on every MondayContact Info: 010-5298-0062Prices: Spicy shrimp Spaghetti 14,000 won/ Vongole 13,000 won/ Coke 3,000won5. Cha Masineun Tteul (teahouse)The teahouse, Cha Masineun Tteul is situated within Bukchon Village. This teahouse is especially famous for a beautiful hanok and the garden. At Cha Masineun Tteul, there are about 20 different kinds of teas mostly Korean teas. On top of the variety of teas to choose from, the sitting area encircles a little courtyard garden, offering guests a view of a lily pond and plants while sipping a cup of tea and nibbling on Korean snacks. Since this place is a perfect place for people to relax, this place is comfortable to have conversation with family and friends. Those who are not huge tea drinkers will be likely to fall in love with Korean traditional tea at this traditional Hanok teahouse. It is guaranteed that this little treat will not disappoint. Location: 26 Bukchon-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, SeoulOperating Hours: Weekdays 10:30am~ 10:00pm/ Weekends 10:00am~ 10:30pmContact Info: 02-722-7006Prices: Ice Flower Tea 8,000 won/ Tteul Tea 8,000 won/ Strawberry and Chocolate Mochi 5,000 wonSam Cheong-dong is especially famous for its Bukchon Hanok Village, and Korean traditional houses. Equivalent with Sam Cheong-dong, Bukchon refers to the north area of the old capital city where the aristocratic classes once lived during the Joseon Dynasty. This place has been maintained remarkably well throughout the generations. This calm, antique beauty of Korean traditional houses and the bustle of the city surely makes Sam Cheong-dong one of the most extraordinary places in Seoul. Sam Cheong-dong seems to appeal to artistic types respecting integrating cafes, restaurants, and all the museums into the area’s traditional feel. How about visiting Sam Cheong-dong for this weekend to relax and learn about Korean culture? Tips: At Anguk Station, Subway Line Number 3, there is a place where people can rent lockers inside the subway station. Fees are charged every four hours up to 12 hours, after which, fees are charged once every 12 hours. The accepted methods of payment are T-money Card (electronic transit card), credit cards and cash.
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