Seoul's Famous Insadong Neighborhood(a)|传统与现代的交集　首尔仁寺洞

Seoul's Famous Insadong Neighborhood

by Brian Foden

Consisting of one main street and numerous narrow alleys, Insadong offers tourists and locals alike a wide variety of arts and crafts plus a look into Korea's past.

　　No trip to Seoul, South Korea, is complete without a visit to Insadong. A place where tourists and locals alike love to shop for traditional arts and crafts and other goods, Insadong consists of a single main street over 700 meters long, named Insadong-gil, with numerous narrow alleyways that branch off from it. It's been estimated that roughly 40 percent of the entire country's antique shops and galleries are located in the neighborhood. More specifically, there are over 100 galleries in Insadong featuring examples of fine art, paintings, sculptures, and much more. In addition to art and antique furniture, items for sale include ceramics, tea, calligraphy, and earthenware, plus a wide variety of other products and souvenirs. The area is especially popular with foreign visitors, who come to get a taste of traditional Korean culture and history. Apart from having a multitude of shops that make the district a shopper's paradise, Insadong has restaurants, a shopping mall concentrating on the sale of handicrafts, and bookstores.

　　The best and busiest time to take a stroll in Insadong is during the weekends, when streets are blocked off to vehicles for much of the time on Saturdays and Sundays. At this time, stores set up extra booths outside their establishments, and many free street performances take place. Moreover, festivals are often held there on Sundays. There is also a variety of snacks to be had, including Korean taffy and pajeon, which is a type of Korean pancake. With tens of thousands of people walking along the main street and twisting alleys on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the neighborhood is alive with activity and excitement.

 

传统与现代的交集　首尔仁寺洞

由一条大街与数条窄巷组成，仁寺洞带给观光客和当地人各式各样的艺术与手工艺品，你还可以一探韩国过去的风貌。

　　倘若到了南韩首尔却没有造访仁寺洞，这趟旅程就不算完整。游客和当地人都很喜欢到这个地方购买传统艺术品、手工艺品以及其他商品，仁寺洞是由一条超过七百公尺、名为仁寺洞街的主要街道，和数条从仁寺洞街分支出来的狭窄小巷所组成。据估计，整个国家大约百分之四十的古董店和画廊都座落于附近地区。更具体而言，仁寺洞有一百多家画廊，其主要特色是展出艺术品、画作、雕刻品，以及更多的东西。除了艺术品和古董家具，这里贩卖的物品还包括陶瓷艺品、茶叶、书法作品和陶器，加上其他各式各样的商品和纪念品。这个区域特别受到外国游客欢迎，他们来到这里是为了体验韩国传统文化与历史风情。除了拥有许多商店，促使该区成为购物者的天堂之外，仁寺洞也有餐厅、一栋专门贩售手工艺品的购物中心和书店。

　　漫步于仁寺洞的最佳也最热闹的时间是周末，当地于星期六日大多数时间都会封锁街道禁止车辆通行。这时候，商家就会在他们的店面外加设摊位，另外也会有许多免费的街头表演可看。此外，当地通常于星期天举办庆典。那里也会有各式各样的点心可以品尝，包含韩式太妃糖和葱油饼，那是一种韩式煎饼。星期六日和假日期间都会有成千上万的人走在大街和蜿蜒的小巷里，使这邻近地区洋溢着活跃与兴奋的气氛。