My Daughters’ First KTX Ride: A Family Day in Insadong and Ssamziegil

On August 28, 2022, the sky was far too blue and beautiful for us to stay home. With no real itinerary, I suggested that we take our daughters, Hyesom and Bokyeong, on their first-ever train journey. We hurriedly booked a KTX to Seoul, deciding that we could choose the exact destination on the way. That spontaneous ride became a day of firsts: their first KTX, first Seoul subway, first walk through Insadong, and first pottery-painting workshop at Ssamziegil.

Our spontaneous Seoul day-trip series

1. Our daughters’ first KTX ride and Insadong pottery workshop
2. Walking through Changdeokgung, where their grandfather worked
3. A long walk and family dinner at Gwangjang Market

A blue sky and an impulsive idea

We had made no special plans for that Sunday. Then I looked outside and felt that wasting such a clear summer day indoors would be a shame. I asked the girls a simple question: “Shall we take a train somewhere today?”

I was thinking about Seoul’s royal palaces, where my parents had worked when they were younger. We did not even decide which palace to visit before leaving. We booked available seats, got dressed, and headed to the station. Sometimes a family outing begins with careful planning; this one began with the weather.

Hyesom and Bokyeong’s first KTX ride

The platform itself felt exciting to the girls. Once we boarded, familiar things such as the wide window, folding table, aisle, and passing stations became discoveries. They could not hide their anticipation as the train began to move.

For an adult, the KTX is transportation. For a child riding it for the first time, the journey can be as memorable as the destination. That was the first lesson of our unplanned day.

Another first: the Seoul subway

After reaching Seoul, the girls experienced another new mode of transportation. It was their first subway ride. The frequent stops, transfers, route map, and stream of passengers made it feel very different from the train.

When traveling around Seoul with young children, it helps to treat transportation as part of the day rather than dead time between attractions. Use the restroom before boarding, minimize transfers when possible, and leave room for breaks. Those small decisions matter by late afternoon.

Walking through Insadong

Our first neighborhood was Insadong, one of central Seoul’s best-known areas for traditional crafts, galleries, souvenirs, and tea shops. We had no shopping list. We simply walked beneath the trees, looked into storefronts, and enjoyed being somewhere different.

Insadong is easy to approach from either Anguk Station or Jongno 3-ga Station. The northern tourist information center is near Anguk Station Exit 6, while the southern end is accessible from Jongno 3-ga. For a first visit, walking the main street from one end to the other creates a simple family route.

Painting pottery at Ssamziegil

We eventually entered Ssamziegil, a craft-focused cultural shopping complex built around a gently rising walkway. The shops and installations were entertaining, but a pottery studio held the girls’ attention.

Hyesom chose a plate, while Bokyeong selected a small cup. They painted carefully with small brushes and colored glazes. The studio would fire the finished pieces and send them to our home later. Waiting for their work to arrive became a final part of the experience.

Planning an Insadong and Ssamziegil visit in 2026

• Ssamziegil address: 44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• Listed hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Nearest subway: Anguk Station on Line 3 or Jongno 3-ga Station on Lines 1, 3, and 5
• Admission: Free to enter; classes and purchases cost extra
• Activities: The complex may offer pottery, mother-of-pearl, leather, glass, soap, and other craft classes

Our pottery session took place in 2022. Individual tenants, class schedules, prices, age limits, and delivery arrangements can change. If a particular class is important to your visit, contact the studio or Ssamziegil before going rather than relying on an old review.

Practical tips for a first KTX trip with children

• Check seat availability through Korail’s official website or app before leaving home.
• Pack water, a light snack, and a thin extra layer for the air-conditioned train.
• Choose a realistic subway route with fewer transfers.
• Double-check your address and contact information if a studio will ship finished pottery.
• Keep the afternoon flexible; a first train ride already uses plenty of a young child’s energy.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ssamziegil suitable for children?

Yes. Families can follow the gently rising path, browse craft shops, and look for hands-on classes. Weekends can be crowded, so younger children should stay close to an adult.

Do pottery workshops require reservations?

Policies vary by studio. Some accept walk-ins, but class times, available pieces, duration, firing, and shipping arrangements differ. Confirm directly if you have a specific activity in mind.

Which subway station is best for Insadong?

Anguk Station on Line 3 is convenient for the northern end, while Jongno 3-ga Station on Lines 1, 3, and 5 works well for the southern end.

Next stop: Changdeokgung Palace

After the pottery workshop, we searched for the nearest royal palace. Changdeokgung stood out for a personal reason: my father had worked there since the early 1990s, and I often visited him there as a child. It was time to show my daughters a place that belonged to our family story.

Next: Walking through Changdeokgung, where their grandfather worked →

Editorial note: This story describes our family trip on August 28, 2022. Transport and visitor information was checked on September 3, 2026, using Korail, Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul, and Jongno District resources. Class availability can change, so confirm directly before visiting.

Sources: Korail ticket booking · Korea Tourism Organization: Ssamziegil · Jongno tourist information centers