Tour Dongdaemun in Seoul | Tips on Shopping & Design Plaza Attractions

A major Seoul tourist attraction, Dongdaemun is an important commercial area that’s located in Jongno-gu, a central of the city. Travelers come from all over the world to tour Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and Dongdaemun Design Plaza. With its shopping centers and world-famous market, Dongdaemun promises both visitors and locals alike a chance to explore a vibrant part of the city. Dongdaemun features upwards of 30,000 specialty shops, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the planet’s greatest shopping destinations. With so much to see and do in this part of the city, travelers might want to set aside a few days to ensure they can see as much as possible. Although the size of Dongdaemun can seem daunting, by creating an itinerary, visitors can make the most of their time there.

Introduction to Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun is an area that’s jam-packed with attractions, stores, and restaurants. Dongdaemun features both modern shopping centers and traditional markets. Located around Dongdaemun Gate, a major landmark in Korea, Dongdaemun has a “Special Tourism Zone” designation. The area is home to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, an urban development landmark. The plaza features large-scale exhibition spaces, rooftop parks, and ultra-modern stores. Other attractions of the Dongdaemun area include the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park that showcases hundreds of years of Korean history. Filled with exciting architecture, history, culture, amazing food, and diverse shops, Dongdaemun beckons visitors who come to Seoul because it seems to have something to entice every type of traveler.

While it’s possible to spend just a few hours in Dongdaemun, it’s ideal to spend longer there in order to check out some of the district’s hidden attractions. Dongdaemun features many modern shopping centers, but it also has a traditional side in the form of some of its cafes, bars, and street vendors. Also, travelers to Seoul who are thinking of staying in or near Dongdaemun will find many revered hotels. There are budget-friendly hotels as well.

Check in to Ramada Dongdaemun

Step out to Dongdaemun Design Park

Visit the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is a thrilling juxtaposition of old with new. The park celebrates hundreds of years of Korean history and culture near many of the most modern attractions in Seoul. The fact is—not everyone wants to hit the shops when they visit the Jongno district. This is a fun cultural attraction for visitors of any age. Originally a site of a Joseon Dynasty military center, the park literally displays centuries of South Korean history with its relics and treasured memorabilia. There are more than 1,000 artifacts on display, which again, stand in stark contrast to the many modern wonders of the area like Dongdaemun Design Park. The site is easy to reach via public transportation, like the bus or subway, making it a great stop to add to a travel itinerary.

Check in IBC Hotel

Step out to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park

Tour Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, constructed to replace Dongdaemun Stadium, features a neofuturistic design, which makes it one of the city’s best-known architectural attractions. Known as the “DDP” for short, this plaza boasts long, curving lines and ultra-modern features like its rooftop parks. The plaza is connected to both the local subway station and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. Architect Zaha Hadid designed the plaza, helping to win Seoul status as a World Design Capital. While shoppers may be more inclined to hit its sleek shops, others might enjoy knowing that the building relies heavily on its solar panels and boasts other eco-friendly features like a recycled water system. Since its completion in 2011, Dongdaemun Design Plaza has attracted millions of visitors to discover its unique place in Seoul’s shopping scene.

Visitors should note that the Dongdaemun Design Plaza is filled with many different attractions and it can take up a substantial period of time to witness them all. Many of these attractions focus on design.

Noteworthy Attractions of Dongdaemun Design Plaza

• Design Museum
• Design Pathway
• International Conference Hall
• Art Hall 1 and 2
• Academy Hall
• Design Shops
• Design Labs
• Oullim Square
• Rooftop Park
• LED Rose Garden (a must-see at night)

Check in to E7 Place Dongdaemun

Step out to Dongdaemun Gate

Discover Dongdaemun Market

Dongdaemun Market is a veritable fashion hub in Seoul. It’s famous for its discounted prices and plethora of shops. The market features virtually everything related to fashion. From shoes and accessories to casual wear and wedding garb, the market abounds with fabric and baubles. Dongdaemun Market began life in 1905 as a traditional market, but over time, it became noteworthy for its clothing bargains. The retail and wholesale textile industry set up residence in the market and vendors who sell items related to fashion eventually realized they needed to make their presence known in Dongdaemun to enjoy a reasonable modicum of success.

Today, Dongdaemun Market features a fun mix of traditional and modern stores and shops. To attract even more clothes shoppers, the market offers year-round events like fashion shows and festivals. What’s exciting about the market, aside from its affordable prices for popular brands and offerings, is that many items simply can’t be found elsewhere. Specialty fabrics and one-of-a-kind designs attract shoppers from near and far to this crowded marketplace. If you’re shopping for bargains, you’re sure to find a wealth of items to choose from ranging from denim jeans and cotton skirts to leather belts and kitschy handbags.

Check in to Acube Hotel

Step out to Dongdaemun Market

Enjoy the shops and high-rise malls of Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun Market is complemented by throngs of shopping malls and street stores. In fact, if you are pressed for time and don’t mind skipping cultural attractions like the history park, you might want to just tour Dongdaemun‘s high-end street-side shops or dip into one of the shopping centers for a few bargains before your flight.

Dongdaemun is filled with multiple high-rise shopping centers—many of which are open throughout the night until 5 AM. Again, fashion tends to be the most popular merchandise in Dongdaemun, but there are also shops that sell other types of wares. Many of the malls feature parking, but it’s often most convenient to take public transportation to Dongdaemun. Taxi service is also available.

Best Shopping Malls, Shopping Centers, and Stores of Dongdaemun

• Dongdaemun Shopping Complex
• Doota
• Pyeonghwa Market
• Migliore Dongdaemun Shop
• Dongdaemun Underground Shopping Center
• Kwanghee Fashion Mall
• Lotte Fitln
• Nampyeonghwa Sangga
• Designer Club

Check in to Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun

Step out to Dongdaemun Shopping Complex

Top attractions in Dongdaemun

While many people flock to Dongdaemun day and night, there are several other natural and cultural attractions that visitors may want to check out. Aside from the history and culture park, there are some great options to enjoy—even at Dongdaemun’s Design Plaza’s rooftop parks! Many of the buildings in the area allow for tours. Dongdaemun Design Plaza is one of the region’s most popular buildings to visit for a guided tour.

If you’re tired after a morning or afternoon of shopping, you might want to visit SPAREX, a spa located on the third basement floor of Good Morning City. There, you’ll find an ice room, dry saunas, and other spa facilities. The spa features a wide array of spa treatments that offer visitors a rejuvenating experience after a day of shopping Dongdaemun malls.

Things to Do in Dongdaemun besides Shop

• Take a Seoul Bus Tour
• Visit Seoul City Wall Museum
• Explore Dongdaemun History Museum
• Tour Dongdaemun Stadium Memorial
• See Ihwa Mural Village
• Relax in Naksan Park
• Explore Chungmu Arts Center
• Photograph Changgyeonggung Palace
• Take a stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream
• Attend an event at Jangchung Arena
• See the art galleries and cafes of Insadong
• Catch a movie at Megabox Dongdaemun
• See the art installations outside Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Check in to Saerim Hotel

Step out to Dongdaemun Market

Dongdaemun Food Scene

What is culture without food? Dongdaemun might be known as Seoul’s fashion hub, but it is also loaded with great eateries and delicious street food to feed all of those hungry shoppers. Each shopping mall features on-site or nearby restaurants and cafes. While some food tour operators cover Dongdaemun, most people who visit the area come with an eye toward bargain hunting, so the eateries in the area tend to cater to the shopping set. Visitors to Dongdaemun will find coffee shops, tea houses, cafes, pubs, and restaurants. Many of the area’s bars also sell food. On the streets, many vendors feature popular Korean street foods like fish cake skewers, Korean-style fried chicken, Korean tempura, dumplings, sushi, and the always-popular pancakes.

While Korean food is the most popular option, this tourist-friendly part of town also features pubs and restaurants that serve global cuisines. There are also western fast food restaurants like Burger King and KFC located in Dongdaemun.

Popular Dongdaemun Restaurants & Cafes

• Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun
• BLT Steak
• Tavolo 24
• Seoul Baking Company
• Chungmu Sashimi Restaurant
• Hwasun House
• Pizza Muzzo
• Si Na Bon
• Jongro Gimbap
• Yellow Café Seocho
• Wheat Riore Buffet
• Dongbuk Hwa and King
• Ediya Coffee Dongdaemun Station

Check in to Hotel Migliore Seoul

Step out to Dongdaemun

Nightlife in Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun features many things to do at night. As mentioned, many of the district’s shopping centers are open into the wee hours of the night. If you’re looking for something else to do besides shop, you’ll find that Dongdaemun nightlife answers. You can head out for an evening of Korean barbecue and karaoke, for example. You can watch some street performers near the area parks. Bars and pubs also dot the area. Clubs in or near Dongdaemun feature musical performances or DJs. Many travelers choose to book hotels in this part of Seoul because of its vibrant and bustling city life. If you’re looking to tour Dongdaemun for its nightlife, you won’t be bored. Although other Seoul districts are better known for their vibrant nightlife, Dongdaemun does feature some standout options.

Tour Dongdaemun Bars & Clubs

• The Griffin
• Hidden Track Pub
• Forest of Music
• Southside Parlor
• Nairobi Café & Pub
• The Lounge

Check in to New Chonji Hotel

Step out to Dongdaemun