Global Villages in Seoul

Korean-Chinese Village (Yenbian Street: Garibong-dong, Guro-gu)

Many Korean-Chinese people have settled in Garibong-dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul, constituting a Chinese community. A business community has developed along a 500 m-long street, where both Korean and Chinese languages are spoken.

Islamic Village (Seoul Central Masjid: Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu)

An Islamic business area is formed temporarily on weekends as Islamic believers attend religious services in the mosque on Friday afternoons.

Chinese Village No. 1 (Little Chinatown: Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu and Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu)

A Chinese community has developed around the Chinese Junior and Senior High Schools at Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. It is a residential-commercial China town where many Chinese restaurants have formed a Chinese business town.

Chinese Village No. 2 (Chinese Street: in front of the Chinese Embassy at Myeong-dong, Jung-gu)

A cultural village has developed in the Chinese business district around Hanseong Chinese Elementary School across Chinese Embassy. Local residents can experience ¡?Chinese culture¡? in downtown Seoul at China towns on Yenbian Street or Korean-Chinese villages that have formed in various parts of Seoul.

French Village (Seorae Village: Bangbae-dong and Banpo 4(sa)-dong, Seocho-gu)

A French residential-commercial community has developed around the premises of a French school. Various cultural events and administrative services in the French language are provided by dedicated administrative support from the local gu and district office.

Japanese Village (Little Tokyo: Ichon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu)

As one of the oldest foreign villages in Seoul, Little Tokyo has been well established, being equipped itself with a wide variety of community facilities such as educational institutes, including kindergarten, religious and business facilities. Japanese is spoken at nearly all of the facilities along with services specifically provided for Japanese residents.

Mongolia Village (Mongol Tower: Beorumul-gil, Gwanghui-dong, Dongdaemun-gu)

'This building is also known as a ¡?Mongolian island floating in Seoul¡? as many Mongols from various parts of Seoul and its suburbs gather here to exchange information. Korean is virtually non-existent here..

Italian Village (Club Italia: Francisco Cathedral at Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu)

A cultural community based on religious bonds has developed here although few Italians reside in Seoul. Diverse cultural events are held by the Italian Cultural Center around a Catholic church that holds mass every Sunday for Italians and also runs its own kindergarten.

Philippine Village (Sunday Market: in front of Hyehwa Cathedral at Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu)

'Little Manila' comes together in front of Hyehwa Cathedral every Sunday as the church pulls together the community based on strong religious beliefs. Many truck-mounted stalls sell products from the Philippines.