The best time to visit is at night, especially on the weekends, when it is most crowded and alive.
Learn to bargain. Usually you can haggle down the price of an item by 20%.
Shopping here is 24/7 but many shops are closed on Mondays.
Dongdaemun Market is a large commercial district consisting of over 20 shopping malls and traditional markets, 30,000 shops, 50,000 manufacturers. All of this can be found within a few city blocks.
The market is named after the nearby Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun Gate).
When opened in July, 1905, it was known as Baeugaejang. During the Korean War, the area was completely destroyed. In 1959, a new market building was constructed. Since then, the market has been slowly rebuilt and modernized to become what it is today.
If you are looking for international brands, go to Myeongdong. If you are looking to spend big on high end luxury items, then go to Garosu-gil. But if you are looking for wholesale clothing and unique fashion items at competitive prices, then look no further than Dongdaemun Market.
One thing you will notice is that no matter what time of the day, it is always packed with locals and tourists. The best time to visit though is at night when all the lights are flashing and the area is jam packed with shoppers trying to find deals on anything and everything from shoes, hats, purses, jackets, scarfs, glasses, suits, sporting goods, and lots more. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, just being here and walking around is quite the site, especially if you are a tourist.
Dongdaemun Market Information
Hours
Retail shops are open from 10:00 to 5:00 the next morning.
Wholesale shops are open from 20:00 to 800 the next morning. Some shops stay open all day until 17:00.
Some shops operate 24 hours a day.
Most shops are closed on Mondays.
Admission
FreeHow to Get Here
Option 1
Take Subway Line 2, Line 4, or Line 5 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Exit 14).
Option 2
Take Subway Line 1 or Line 4 to Dongdaemun Station (Exit 8 or 9).
Map
Nearby Sights
Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun Gate)
Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun Gate), the historic Great East Gate on the Seoul Fortress Wall, dates back to the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty in 1398. The gate is now the last main gate remaining in Seoul after Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun Gate) was destroyed by a fire on February 10, 2008.
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest traditional markets in Seoul, is popular with foreign visitors looking to sample some of the best Korean street foods. If you are looking for an authentic Korean cultural experience, along with some of the best bindaetteok in the city, then look no further.
Gwanghuimun Gate
Gwanghuimun Gate, literally meaning "Bright Light Gate," is one of eight gates found on the fortress wall that surrounds the city of Seoul. Gwanghuimun is one of four small gates located along the southeast area of the fortress wall.
Bangsan Baking Market
Bangsan Baking Market is a traditional wholesale market where you can find some of the best baking and cooking supplies used by chefs all across Seoul. Over 500 stores supply professional chefs and home cooks with all sorts of baking and cooking items at competitive bulk prices.
Additional Resources
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Last Updated on Feb 5, 2025