This is Seoul at its most youthful and liveliest. Come here for cafés, bars, clubs, cinemas and boutiques.

The Hongdae district isclose to Hongik University, and is a favourite with young revellers. HongdaeYoung Street constitutes the main artery of life in the area. Soak up the urbanculture found in the shops and galleries by day. After dark, this is the placeto experience Seoul’s nightlife.

Start at the HongdaeTourism Information Centre, where friendly staff will provide you with a mapand information about what’s happening in the area. The centre is openlate.

If you’re looking forgifts or items for yourself, explore the various boutiques and vintage storesthat line Hongdae Young Street. Don’t miss Sangsangmadang this 11-storybuilding houses an independent cinema, performance hall and various stallsselling arty souvenirs. If you appreciate street art, bring your camera. Thearea around Hongik University is covered in accomplished work created bystudents and other artists.

You won’t have any troublefinding cafés and restaurants in Hongdae Young Street. There are manyindependent outlets selling homemade food for affordable prices. There’s also amassive variety of cuisine, including everything from Korean to Irish toVietnamese.

Hongdae Young Street isthe centre of Seoul’s nightlife. During the day, you’ll likely see buskers andbreak dancers in the street. At night the clubs and bars along the street blastall types of music: indie, electronic, hip-hop and acid jazz. Many bars areopen late and some are open 24 hours a day, especially at the weekend.

There is often a specialevent happening in Hongdae Young Street. Club Day, on the last Friday of eachmonth, gives you entry to a number of clubs in the area for the price of onenormal entrance fee. Every Sunday, Hongdae hosts a bazaar, where you can pickup secondhand goods and handmade crafts.

To reach Hongdae YoungStreet, catch the subway to Hongik University Station.