Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운) - Area information - Korea travel information

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

3.0Km    2025-06-30

266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2262-0114

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most well-known markets. It was founded in December 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia and has maintained that status for the last 40 years. Browsing the plethora of shops, you can find fabric and clothing following all the latest global fashion trends. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex continues to build up its reputation as a hub of international design.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex (Hanbok Shops) (동대문종합시장 한복상가)

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex (Hanbok Shops) (동대문종합시장 한복상가)

3.0Km    2021-09-15

266, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2262-0114

As one of the largest markets in Asia, Dongdaemun Shopping Complex boasts huge hanbok shops. Most of the major hanbok and fabric distributors are located here. It offers a wide array of hanbok from traditional hanbok to modernized hanbok in addition to accessories and clothing materials. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is a popular spot among international tourists who want to experience traditional Korean culture and purchase various souvenirs.

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

3.0Km    2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Pyounghwa (Pyeonghwa) Fashion Town (서울 평화시장)

Pyounghwa (Pyeonghwa) Fashion Town (서울 평화시장)

3.0Km    2025-01-06

274, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-3531~3

The Pyounghwa Fashion Town market in Dongdaemun has been selling fashion clothing and accessories for over 50 years ever since the end of the Korean War. It was here that in 1953 North Korean refugees started selling clothes made from US army uniforms. Their market was then named Pyounghwa, which means peace, in the hope that no other wars would be fought on Korean soil. The Pyounghwa Fashion Town was therefore the beginning of the 30,000 stores that now make up Dongdaemun Fashion Town, which is seen as one of the global centers of the fashion industry.

Spread over a large area, this historical fashion market is divided into several districts, the ‘Gu Pyounghwa Fashion Town’ is the oldest, and there is also the ‘Shin Pyounghwa Fashion Town’, ‘Dong Pyounghwa Fashion Town’, and ‘Cheong Pyounghwa Fashion Town’.

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

3.0Km    2021-02-24

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

CheongKwanJang - Hangangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 한강로)

CheongKwanJang - Hangangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 한강로)

3.0Km    2024-04-18

1F, Junggwanjang Hangang-ro Branch, 159-1, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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8th Avenue WithPharm Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (8번가위드팜약국)

8th Avenue WithPharm Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (8번가위드팜약국)

3.0Km    2024-04-19

515, Seongsan-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

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Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

3.0Km    2024-03-18

75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Jjimjjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that combines a traditional bathhouse with a hot steam room, is often ranked high among the unique experiences in Korea chosen by foreigners. Taking a steam bath in a charcoal kiln discharges waste products from the skin through sweat and eliminates accumulated fatigue. Supsok Hanbang Land has several charcoal kilns for different temperatures. Using them in order from low to high-temperature rooms is good, but the highest-temperature room, “Kkottang,” has a risk of causing skinburn, so visitors are advised to wear socks and cotton gloves to enter the room. Another unique experience is to grill sweet potatoes or rice cakes on the brazier in front of the charcoal kiln.

Chunpoong Brewery (춘풍양조장)

Chunpoong Brewery (춘풍양조장)

3.0Km    2025-03-14

101-3 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Chungpoong Brewery, a specialized brewery producing makgeolli, offers brewery tours and tasting sessions, conveying the value of Korean alcohol. Through these programs, the brewery shares Korean liquor culture and provides information about Korean alcohol. Visitors can also enjoy a dining and alcohol experience here. 

Mapo Art Center (마포아트센터)

Mapo Art Center (마포아트센터)

3.0Km    2021-03-19

28, Daeheung-ro 20-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3274-8500

Mapo Art Center is an innovative cultural art space near college campuses including Hongik, Sinchon and Seogang area. Art Hall Mac, operated by Mapo Art Center is a fascinating performance hall used for a wide range of cultural events. The art hall boasts a stunning exterior as well as finely-appointed facilities that allow the audience to enjoy a diverse genre of performances. The art hall consists of two sections of Play Mac (for smaller performances like puppet shows, solo concerts and children’s performances) and Gallery Mac (where visitors engage in interactive programs). The center also has diverse leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, fitness center, golf club as well as a training center.

Other amenities available include a powder room, multi-purpose hall, training room, playpen, and Sky Park.