Jongno-gu announced on the 24th that it will develop and operate ‘Jongno Shopping Path’ from December to revitalize the Jongno Cheonggye Tourism Special Zone and promote the local commercial area. This project is designed to allow people to experience the urban charm of Jongno, where tradition and modernity coexist, by walking through old shops and streets.
The Jongno Cheonggye Tourism Special Zone includes the entire areas of Seorin-dong, Gwanchul-dong, Gwansu-dong, Jangsa-dong, and Yeji-dong, from Gwanghwamun Building to Sungindong Intersection, as well as Sinmun-ro and Jongno 1~6-ga, and Changsin-dong. It houses palaces and relics from the Joseon Dynasty such as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Jongmyo, along with 12 commercial districts including Sewoon Arcade, Jewelry Street, Lighting Arcade, and Gwangjang Market.
‘Jongno Shopping Path’ is configured to reflect these regional characteristics, allowing citizens and tourists to experience Jongno’s history and culture by following the old shops. The course is divided into five themes: ‘Play’, ‘Daily Life’, ‘Industry’, ‘Sight’, and ‘Record’.
The ‘Play Shopping Path’ is a course where you can explore alleys with children, starting from Exit 1 of Dongdaemun Station, passing through Heunginjimun, Hanyangdoseong Museum, Changsin-dong Alley Market, and Aquarium Street.
The ‘Daily Life Shopping Path’ is focused on shops related to daily life such as pharmacies, bedding, and knitting stores, providing citizens with a leisurely space to purchase small items and rest for a while.
The ‘Industry Shopping Path’ follows the changes in Jongno’s industries, including film, tools, and jewelry shops. The ‘Sight Shopping Path’ is designed for appreciating the aesthetics of urban architecture and alley sceneries, including Sewoon Arcade, Jongmyo, Seosulla-gil, and Palace Wall Road. The last ‘Record Shopping Path’ tours the relics and historical spaces in the Jongno area, recording the city’s past.
The Jongno Shopping Path map can be downloaded from the Jongno Culture Platform, and guide leaflets are being distributed at major commercial areas and tourist information centers within the special zone. The district also plans to operate experiential programs like one-day classes in collaboration with shops along the course.
Jong Moon Heon, the head of Jongno-gu, stated, “We will continue to discover tourism content linked with local commercial areas to make the Jongno Cheonggye Tourism Special Zone a landmark that both citizens and tourists love to visit.”