Insadong Ssamjigil, a Spiral Shopping Mall Resembling an Alley

As you walk along the main street of Insadong, there's one building that particularly catches your eye. The moment you step inside, the path curves not in a straight line, but in a spiral, and as you follow it, you naturally find yourself on the fourth floor. Ssamjigil It's a story.

The building's design itself seems to capture the essence of Insadong's alleyways. Instead of stairs, there are gently sloped paths, making it resemble a ‘walking alley with an enjoyable stroll" rather than a shopping mall. Along these paths, small craft shops, accessory stores, galleries, and dessert shops with strong Korean characteristics are lined up.

The atmosphere is different right from the entrance. The entrance decorations, which change their concept with each season, are another reason to visit Ssamzigil. One winter, they created a unique interior with yellow Italian towels, and another year, they hung decorations based on the zodiac animal of the year. Because of this, quite a few people take out their cameras right from the entrance.

As you walk along the spiral passageway, the atmosphere changes slightly on each floor. On one side, there are workshops where you can experience traditional crafts like painting or calligraphy firsthand, and on the other side, there are shops selling items such as dolls dressed in hanbok or postcards with traditional patterns. This is one of the first places that foreign tourists think of when choosing Korean souvenirs.

The photo spot hidden on the way to the rooftop offers a panoramic view of Insadong Street. It's the standard course to finish here after exploring Ssamzigil.

Even if you walk slowly, you can see everything in about an hour, so you don't need to pack your schedule too tightly. However, parts of the building are open-plan, so it's a good idea to dress in layers if you visit in the dead of winter or the height of summer.

🚇 Directions

The closest station is Anguk Station on Line 3, Exit 6, and you can easily walk to Ssamzigil. You can also walk along Insadong-gil from Jongno 3-ga Station on Lines 1, 3, and 5, Exit 5, or Jonggak Station on Line 1, Exit 11.

A great course for walking together

When you leave Ssamzigil, Insadong-gil continues on. Strolling past antique shops, it's within walking distance to Jogyesa Temple, and if you want to walk further, even Gyeongbokgung Palace. It's a good route to start your Insadong stroll at Ssamzigil and finish at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

It's not fancy, but it's a place that delights the eyes all the way. If you're visiting Insadong, I recommend taking a walk along the sloping path of Ssamzigil at least once.