Time Out, a British city and travel media outlet, selected Seoul's Jongno 3-ga as the No. 1 'Coolest Neighborhood in the World in 2026'. Time Out cited Ikseon-dong's 100-year-old hanok houses and old restaurants, outdoor dining culture that continues late into the night, independent shops and cafes as Jongno 3-ga's charms. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has expanded its hanok preservation policy through the 'Seoul Hanok Declaration', and transformed the area around Jongmyo Shrine and Seosunra Street into a pedestrian-centered space, making it a historical and cultural alleyway favored by young generations and foreign tourists. These efforts are considered to have contributed to Time Out's selection.
