Strolling, Collecting Sights

If you're up for some Seoul shopping, you have a bunch of choices. These are a few that I have come across: Myeongdong (the "fashion district of Seoul" where brand-name shops abound. I hear many Japanese frequent this place just to shop), Insadong (center for arts and traditional culture), and Namdaemun Market (a traditional market with thousands of stalls selling just about anything).
Having no budget for shopping, we strolled along Insadong with our wallets sealed. Insadong is lined with traditional arts and crafts shops, antique stores, souvenir shops, and art galleries. There are also cafes and restaurants in the mix.
  Insadong: 700 meters of shopping(Photo by Ayin Ersando)
An alley of restaurants(Photo by Ayin Ersando)
 A shop selling pottery and a coffee shop up top...at least I think that cup means it's a cafe. (Photo by Bee Chavez)
A map that will get me nowhere
 You can leave your mark on these walls.If only I brought a set of markers with me.
 Art in nooks and crannies(Photo by Ayin Ersando)
Just some unique things that caught my eye. Nice drain, hey?
 Even Anguk Station in Insadong welcomes you with art.
A few hundred meters past the tip of Insadong, you will find Cheonggyecheon, an 8.5 kilometer stream running thru downtown Seoul. Prior to 2005, it was a stream hidden from view by an overpass.
Nature amidst the hustle and bustle of the city
An exhibit under one of the bridges
Chill. Literally. The stream drops the temperature of the immediate surroundings by about 3 degrees Celcius.
We headed west to reach Cheonggye Square, the starting point of Cheonggyecheon. Cheonggye Square commemorates the restoration of the stream and symbolizes harmony and peace.
Nearing Cheonggye Square
How to get to Insadong:Take the subway to Anguk Station (line 3/orange).
How to get to Cheonggyecheon:If coming from Insadong, go straight past the end of Insadong and you will not miss it.
It can also be accessed from several subway stations:
Line 1 (blue) - Jonggak, Jongno 3(sam)-ga, Jongno 5(o)-ga stations
Line 2 (green) - Euljiro 1(il)-ga, Euljiro 3(sam)-ga, Euljiro 4(sa)-ga stations
Line 3 (orange) - Jongno 3(sam)-ga station
Line 5 (purple) - Gwanghwamun station
How to get to Cheonggye Square:Take the subway to City Hall station (line 1/blue or line 2/green) or Gwanghwamun station (line 5/purple).
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