Seoul Jung-gu, which was the first district in Seoul to introduce the ‘Seoul Jung-gu Tour Pass’ (hereinafter referred to as the Tour Pass), is hosting a special autumn event for traditional markets from September to November, gaining high popularity. This event is organized in cooperation with the ‘Seoul Jung-gu Traditional Market Zone Development Center’.
Since its launch last March, more than 1,800 passes have been sold, exceeding the target of 1,000 units for this year. Users have shown positive responses, stating, “The pass alone completes a fulfilling itinerary,” “Great value for money,” “You can enjoy the Namsan and Myeongdong area affordably,” and “Discovered hidden alleys.”
Based on these achievements, the district is launching a special partnership event with traditional markets to introduce the charm of ‘K-market’ to tourists. The first event will be held at Sinjungbu Market in September. Daeyu Fisheries, a participating partner, will offer visitors free gift sets of seaweed rice seasoning and crispy traditional seaweed. Posting reviews on Instagram can earn you additional gifts like grilled squid or dried fish.
Sinjungbu Market is the largest dried fish wholesale market in Korea, opened in 1957, with 412 stores densely packed. It was designated a future heritage of Seoul in 2013.
In October, Tour Pass holders will receive special benefits at the traditional market food booths set up during the Admiral Yi Sun-sin Festival (October 25). Another event will be hosted at Sinjungang Market in November.
The Tour Pass is a mobile ticket that allows free access to major attractions, restaurants, cafes, exhibitions, and experience facilities in Jung-gu for a set period. It includes benefits like free admission, discounts, and souvenirs and is available for purchase on major platforms like Naver, Coupang, Yanolja, Here-o-there, and KKday. The mobile ticket is sent via KakaoTalk or text message and can be used without downloading a separate app.
The basic ticket is priced at 9,900 won, and package tickets are sold for 19,900 won on the Naver Smart Store and 21,900 won on other online platforms.
An official from Jung-gu stated, “The Tour Pass will provide tourists with new experiences in conjunction with traditional markets,” adding, “It is expected to draw visitors from Myeongdong and Namsan to traditional markets, revitalizing the local economy.”