[One Day Walk] Walking Song Haegil and Enjoying Agujjim, Galmaegitsal, and Bosesok at Jongno 3-ga Station...

The course introduction of Harumanbo is evolving. Walking several thousand steps within about an hour during commuting or lunch breaks helps invigorate both body and mind. The subway is not only a transportation means that anyone can easily access and travel safely but also an important point of Harumanbo. We introduce good walking spots around subway stations.

Today’s introduction is Jongno 3-ga Station. Jongno 3-ga Station serves Lines 1, 3, and 5. Lines 1 and 3 stations are located in Jongno 3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, but the Line 5 station is near Jongno 2-ga. Line 1 is frequented by many elderly people, and Jongno 3-ga Station is especially so. The average daily number of users is about 90,000. The area around Jongno 3-ga Station is characterized by an old yet unique atmosphere. Tapgol Park is a place for the elderly. It was called ‘Tapgol (Tapgok;塔谷)’ because it has the National Treasure No. 2, the Ten-Story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple Site. There is also a story that it was called ‘Tapgol (塔骨)’ because the pagoda resembles a long bone shape. Following the English word for pagoda, it was also called Pagoda Park. Next to Tapgol Park, the 240-meter section from the Yukujeon Building in Jongno 2-ga to in front of Nakwon Arcade is called ‘Songhae-gil.’ Songhae, a displaced person from Jaeryeong, Hwanghae Province, has been active based in Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu. He opened an office called the ‘Entertainers’ Evergreen Association’ here and has played the role of a ‘connector’ for veteran entertainers for decades, making Nakwon-dong his ‘second hometown.’ There is also a Songhae-gil marker stone.

Tapgol Park Octagonal Pavilion [Asia Economy DB]

Nakwon Musical Instrument Arcade is the largest comprehensive musical instrument market in Korea with a long tradition. Hundreds of musical instrument shops are concentrated on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Nakwon Building. Some specialize in selling only one type of instrument such as guitars or pianos, while others stock a variety of instruments. There is a wide range of types and prices. On the 1st floor of the building, a four-lane road runs between hundreds of pillars, and there is a market underground. The 4th floor used to be the ‘Hollywood Theater,’ a movie theater, but now houses the ‘Silver Cinema’ for the elderly, ‘Seoul Art Cinema’ screening independent films, and the ‘Sachum (Dance if You Love) Theater.’ The area around Nakwon Arcade is known for its Agujjim (braised monkfish) alley. Passing through Agujjim Alley leads to the famous Galmaegisal (skirt meat) street. It is bustling with people in the evenings and on weekends and is a hot place visited by many young people along with Ikseon-dong. The narrow alleys of Ikseon-dong lined with restaurants, cafes, and bars are also worth seeing.

Entrance of Nakwon Arcade [Asia Economy DB]

Another name for Jongno is the mecca of precious metals. Precious metal shops gather along the main roads, large buildings, and alleys. It is known that about 80% of the precious metals traded in Korea are handled here. Although it is older data, as of 2015, about 3,500 precious metal shops were located here, employing about 10,000 people. The former Dansungsa Theater has been converted into a precious metals center from the 3rd floor above ground to the 1st basement floor of its 11 floors.

Pond located inside Jongmyo [Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

Jongmyo Shrine is also a great walking spot. Jongmyo Plaza Park is always crowded regardless of the time. Admission to Jongmyo is 1,000 won. On weekdays, timed tours with a guide are conducted, while free admission is allowed on weekends. Jongmyo was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1995. The trees planted in the pond at Jongmyo are junipers. The Hyangdaecheong in front of the pond stores ritual relics, and Jaegung is where the king prepared for the rituals. Jeongjeon is the longest wooden building in Korea. Yeongnyeongjeon is where kings not enshrined in Jeongjeon are honored. It takes about an hour to tour Jongmyo at a relaxed pace.