Including Hongdae Walking Street and Discovering Other Tourist Sites.
This is a description of must-visit places in Mapo-gu, Seoul, which are popular among foreign tourists.
Seoul Mapo-gu ‘Xscape Hongdae Playground Branch’
“Xscape Hongdae Playground is an escape room cafe located in Hongdae. It offers various themed escape games such as horror and cute themes, allowing visitors to choose a room based on their preferences and enjoy the game. If you successfully escape within the time limit or participate in more than 2 games in a day, you can also enjoy special rewards. The entrance wall is filled with Polaroid photos of customers, and taking a Polaroid photo is part of an escape reward event given to guests who write a Naver review, escape within 30 minutes without hints, or complete the game. You can take the Polaroid with you or hang it on the wall. Before starting the game, all belongings such as phones and smartwatches must be stored in a separate locker room. Xscape has 2 locations, Hongdae Playground and Hongdae Sangsangmadang. Among them, the Hongdae Playground is closer to Hongdae Entrance Station and has a total of 8 escape room themes.”
• Address (location): “20-5, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City, 3rd floor of Hongdae Plaza (Seogyo-dong)”
• Hours of use: [Weekdays] 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM [Weekends] 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Seoul Mapo-gu ‘Coconut Box’
“CocoNutBox is a 600 square meter bakery cafe located in the vibrant Hongdae and Hapjeong area, offering a sanctuary for relaxation and healing in the heart of the city. It features two galleries showcasing Fine art & Media art, allowing visitors to appreciate various artworks. Within the exhibition space, guests can enjoy the perfect scents tailored to each area through collaboration with aromatherapists. With 30 independent spaces boasting unique tropical interior designs, CocoNutBox resembles a tranquil resort in Southeast Asia. Here, you can savor a variety of special bakery items and desserts crafted by professional pastry chefs and baristas. Transform your everyday life into a journey, turn boredom into excitement, and bring your imagination to life in this space where you can commemorate special moments.”
• Address (location): 357-1 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: [Galleries] – 09:00~22:00 [Cafes] – 09:00~22:00 – Last Order at 21:00
HDCafe (Hongdae Cafe)
Located in the youthful streets of Hongdae, ㅎㄷcafe (Hongdae Cafe) is a multi-cultural space spanning from the basement to the 9th floor rooftop. Established to awaken artistic values in the 2030 generation, it offers non-stop performances every day of the year. When ordering one drink per person, you can access all 8 floors from the 3rd to the 9th. Simply hand a staff member the LP you want to hear on the 6th floor, and they will play it for you sequentially. The performances take place on the basement floor, each floor offering a unique concept, making it a vibrant and visually stimulating space to explore.
• Address (location): “68 Aweolmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City (Seogyo-dong)”
• Hours of use: “11:00 AM to 9:00 PM”
Gyeongui Line Book Street
“The Gyeongui Line Book Street is a book-themed street created in the Hongdae area, which used to be the site of the Gyeongui Line railway. In the late 18th century, during the reign of King Jeongjo, efforts were made to promote culture through books. The Gyeongui Line Book Street revitalizes this historical concept in a modern way, offering a unique cultural space for citizens to explore through books. Visitors to the Gyeongui Line Book Street can share the wisdom of a single great book, promoting a healthy life and realizing dreams together. This street was completed in October 2016 with the hope of becoming a starting point for increasing the added value of the publishing industry in Mapo district.”
• Address (location): “35 Wowusan-ro 37-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea”
• Hours of use: “11:00 AM to 8:00 PM”
Gongdeok-dong Pig’s Feet Alley
“In one of the alleyways in a market, there is a place that gathers more customers and buzz than the market itself. That place is none other than Gongdeok Pig’s Feet Alley, where a small 2-square-meter restaurant established on one side of the market 30 years ago serves as the root of the pig’s feet alley. Back then, to cater to the market folks, they cooked clear beef soup and created pig’s feet as a hearty snack to accompany their tough daily lives. The beef soup and pig’s feet gradually comforted the hearts and minds of the market people, leading to the success of the restaurant. Eventually, a bag shop inside the market changed its business to sell intestines and pig’s feet. With more pig’s feet restaurants popping up around, this alley became known as Pig’s Feet Alley. As time passed, the customers transitioned from market people to students and nearby office workers. During the day, the elderly are frequent visitors, while in the evening, the young crowd gathers. The older generation comes seeking memories of sharing drinks in this alley during their youth, while the younger crowd creates their own memories, enlivening the night with lively drinking sessions. Even though the clientele has changed over the years, some restaurants in this alley continue the tradition of selling clear beef soup and making pig’s feet, allowing visitors to experience the taste of the past. This Pig’s Feet Alley is located just 131m from Exit 5 of Gongdeok Station on Seoul Subway Lines 5 and 6.”
• Address (location): “19 Manrijae-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City (Gongdeok-dong)”
• Hours of use: Operating hours may vary by individual establishments.
Seoul Mapo-gu ‘Lawrence Road’
“If you come out of Exit 1 of Sangsu Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul and walk straight down, you will encounter Lawrence Street, located behind the oldest watch company in Korea, Lawrence. This charming alley is filled with unique restaurants and cafes. A cute map of Lawrence Street is painted on the wall next to the Lawrence watch company, making it easy for tourists to find their way around. This is a must-visit spot for those looking for a taste of local culture and a cozy atmosphere in Seoul.”
• Address (location): Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: Operating hours vary by location.
Mapo Food Culture Street
“The Mapo Food Culture Street is a popular dining area located in Mapo-gu, with restaurants lining both sides of the main street. You can find a variety of eateries serving delicious dishes such as grilled beef, pork belly, and pork ribs.”
• Address (location):”17 Tojeong-ro 35-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City (Yonggang-dong)”
• Hours of use: Operating hours vary by establishment.
Ahyeon-dong Alleyway of Traditional Restaurants
“The alleyway of Ahyeon-dong may not be as old as its market history, with the oldest among the 5 currently open establishments dating back to the early 1990s. Despite its short history, this alleyway exudes a vibrant atmosphere within the traditional market scene, making it a must-visit spot filled with fond memories. The prices are also affordable, so sharing a platter of assorted jeon (pancakes) and makgeolli (rice wine) with a friend can leave you both satisfied and in high spirits. It’s a place where many people come to reflect on themselves amidst the nostalgic backdrop of a traditional market, where the daily lives of working-class citizens are richly preserved in history.”
• Address (location): “17, Gullebang-ro 9-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Ahyeon-dong)”
• Hours of use: Operating Hours Vary by Establishment
Seoul Mapo-gu ‘Yeonnamdong End-of-the-Road Street’
Located at the edge of Yeonnam-dong as its name suggests, this place was once known as an escape route. Young people captivated by the charm of the narrow, winding alleys in this neighborhood gathered to create the Yeonnam-dong Edge Street. Filled with unique stores that love their own brands, this street is a gem. A zero-waste shop called ‘Yumineallet’ sells eco-friendly household items such as environmentally friendly detergents, natural dish soap, bamboo toothbrushes, stainless steel straws, and more. ‘Flower Able’ is a flower shop that practices zero waste directly. Using natural materials like paper and jute instead of plastic packaging or synthetic ribbons, they wrap flowers and pots. In addition, exploring the cafes, tea houses, dessert shops, and other unique stores is a delight for visitors.
• Address (location): “17 Seongmisal-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City (Yeonnam-dong)”
• Hours of use: Operating hours of tourist attractions vary by location.
Hongdae Walking Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul
“Hongdae Walking Street is a cultural and tourist attraction in the Mapo-gu Seogyo-dong area of Seoul, spanning about 500m from 107 to 155-1, established from October 2016 to July 2017. On the left, there is a busking zone, while on the right, there are outdoor exhibitions, plaza stages, meeting squares, and travel stages. Events and booth operations mainly take place at the plaza stages, travel stages, and meeting squares, where you can enjoy performances like cheerleading and magic shows from the travel stage to the meeting square. At the busking zone, you can see different performances depending on the time of your visit, mostly featuring dance teams, bands, and singers. For foreign tourists or visitors who may have trouble finding their way around, there are guides wearing red vests and hats to assist you. If you visit during weekdays, be cautious as the roads painted in red may have passing vehicles. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Seoul’s car-free street policy is in effect, allowing you to enjoy the area safely.”
• Address (location): “Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City”
Seoul Mapo-gu ‘Digital Pavilion’
“From Present to Future, Turning Imagination into Reality
The Digital Pavilion serves as a showcase for new products and promotional spaces for IT companies. In the Future City, I City, you can explore the future streets, schools, culture, and lifestyle, while the ICT Exploration Hall allows you to understand ICT technology principles through play and hands-on experiences. Additionally, in February 2017, the ‘VR DEVELOPING BED’ was opened to support domestic small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of immersive content technology and products. Various programs specializing in VR within the ICT industry are available, so we recommend making a reservation and experiencing them firsthand.”
• Address (location): “396 World Cup Buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City (Sangam-dong).”
• Hours of use: “10:00 AM to 5:00 PM”
Seoul Mapo District ‘Mapo Bridge’
“Connecting the neighborhoods of Yongsan-dong in Mapo-gu and Yeouido-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Mapo Bridge spans a length of 1,400m with a width of 25m, featuring six lanes. It is the fourth bridge built over the Han River, following the completion of Hangang Railway Bridge. Construction began in February 1968 and was completed in May 1970. Originally known as Seoul Bridge upon its opening, it was later renamed Mapo Bridge in 1984. Mapo Bridge includes separate lanes for cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, ensuring safety for all users. Visitors can also find benches along the bridge to take a moment to rest and enjoy the picturesque views. The bridge is especially stunning at night, with its captivating lighting setting it apart from other Han River bridges. Close to Yeouido Hangang Park, Mapo Bridge harmonizes beautifully with the illuminated cruise ships floating along the river at night. Nearby attractions such as D-Cube City and IFC Mall can be easily accessed by crossing over to the Han River Park side, offering a delightful experience for visitors. You can reach Mapo Bridge from Exit 4 of Mapo Station on Seoul Subway Line 5, located just 964m away.”
• Address (location): “Mapo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul’s Mapo District: ‘Jeong Mong-ju Statue’
The Jeong Mong-ju Statue was erected on October 16, 1970, and is located in the green space at the entrance of Yanghwa Bridge in Hapjeong-dong. Jeong Mong-ju, also known as Po-eun, was a scholar-official in late Goryeo dynasty (1337-1392). He passed the civil service examination in 1360, served as the head of the royal academy, and excelled in diplomacy with the Ming Dynasty and Japan. He made significant contributions in repelling pirates and the Jurchen tribes, established charities to help the poor, promoted education, and was knowledgeable in Confucianism. Although he remained loyal to Goryeo, he met a tragic end with the rise of new powers. He was a renowned poet, excelled in calligraphy, and was posthumously honored in the early Joseon period.
• Address (location): “401-2 Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all day”
‘Samhae Soju’ in Mapo-gu, Seoul
“Samae Soju is the 8th intangible cultural asset of Seoul, South Korea. It is a place where you can taste and understand various types of traditional Korean liquors such as Samae Soju, Takju, Yakju, and Soju while engaging in communication. The workshop, formerly located in Bukchon, was relocated to Mapo in 2022. Visitors can participate in general tastings of around 12 different types of liquor, distillation tastings that include simple distillation experiences, and a regular academy program where you can make your own Yakju and Soju over a 5-month period and take home the final products. Anyone interested in traditional liquors and spirits can visit to gain a deeper understanding and enjoy a fun experience. Samae Soju, a famous liquor from the Joseon Dynasty, was produced in large quantities in Mapo, Seoul until the early 20th century and has a long history of being the only liquor to be commercialized. The main ingredients of Samae Soju are glutinous rice, Nuruk (fermentation starter), and water. By fermenting and distilling clear Yakju, a high-quality Soju can be obtained, with only about 30% of the total alcohol content, and this is what we call Samae Soju. Due to the long-term low-temperature fermentation and maturation process, Samae Soju has a smooth flavor, a long-lasting aftertaste, and does not contain any additives, resulting in no hangover. Samae Soju, traditionally brewed once a year during the winter, starts on the day after Lunar New Year’s Day and continues for 36 days, with additional fermentation steps on the third and sixth Pig’s Days, followed by another 36-day maturation period. This traditional Korean liquor, with a history of 1000 years, has been designated as an intangible cultural asset due to its deep and rich taste and aroma.”
• Address (location): “B1, 109 World Cup Buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Special City (Seongsan-dong)”
• Hours of use: “10:00~17:00 ※ Contact before visiting is mandatory.”