Insa-dong - Gifts from Seoul

There are two types of gifts I buy whenever I visit a different land (local or foreign). The first one are the items that have been requested or agreed upon with friends and folks back home. The other is the non-existing list and is entirely dependent on my fancy and whim. So when I landed in Seoul typically like most tourists I did land up at Insa-dong.

Insa-dong is located near Jongno-2ga and I would thinks it’s a quaint street, though very busy, about 150 metres in length. The street is filled with foreigners trying to look up all the different items on display by the shops of various sizes and dimensions. Most of the shopkeepers here speak English and they are quite eager to sell you their stuff. Exceptions prove the rule, and when I visited a shop specialising in masks the shopkeeper showed his extreme irritation due to our interrogations. So overall, you don’t have to worry at all, at least regarding behaviour.

The street surface is made up of stones and on holidays and Sundays vehicles are not allowed on the stretch. So you could just walk up and down the stretch enjoying the street side sellers’ marketing techniques, the numerous food vendors, and so on and so forth. My first entry was into this huge long shop with goods spilling all over. The main items on my agenda were Korean masks, Paintings on Rice Paper and anything else uniquely Korean. The masks were of varying shapes and sizes and on a variety of mountings. They were mostly made of wood while the odd shop could display some paper mache items too. Masks are something I like and started off with my selections since you get a variety of faces.

There are some good painting shops and you need to have an eye for detail or you might just land up with some riff-raff. It’s a good idea to ask for a framed painting and then you could carry out a good negotiation with the fella since the mounting does cost a bit. My experience of this reverse concept has been fruitful and therefore the suggestion. Do not ever buy on impulse and check out at least three to four shops before you zero down to something and this is applicable to anything!!

I found the wooden ducks quite cute which are supposedly to be gifted by couples to one another.. They come in pairs and at different sizes. While the sizes increase in arithmetic progression, the prices take the geometric route!! I also find the door chimes quite nice and typically Korean. The array of massage items on display on the outside street would be amazing and I didn’t have any idea what all you could do to relax yourself. The only item that has left me puzzled is the whip and perhaps somebody will enlighten me on its use!!

If you have a deal with the airlines on your luggage allowance, then perhaps you carry some nice wooden boxes with lacquer work and I am not talking about the small ones on display most of the time. The Korean dolls did not impress me much and I find the variety, design, simplicity or grandeur of the Japanese of immensely more appeal. You are free to judge yourself and I know I need not have mentioned this.

The metallic items of dragons and other fake antiques might appeal to you, but I stayed away from them. Then there are these typically touristy items like chopsticks, table mats , mugs and coasters. Aroma therapy items might impress you and if you might get a good deal for your inclination.

Now when it’s question of pricing I can guarantee you that prices here are marked up for sure. The tourists have come to buy after all. So I would suggest that if you are looking for some masks, coasters, bells, chimes, wall hangings it would be a good idea to visit Myongdong Departmental Store in Myongdong!!! Go to Euljiro-1-ga station (Line 2) and get out on Exit 6 and walk towards Myongdong. Keep walking, cross the Bank of Korea crossing and then the road curves slightly towards the left. Go past the curve and take a left in and then after about 50 meters you would find the store on your right. The prices are good and you would save some time and money!!! The Dongdaemun Flea market (inside the stadium) is a good place too and that’s where the locals frequent.

But Insadong you must visit. More than the soeuvenir shops, the guys playing flutes, the relaxed atmosphere, the food, the ambience, you'll surely enjoy. The emotion is more than the consumption and that's why this place is noteworthy. Do enjoy yourselves!!! Sphere: Related Content