As the capital of a country once known as the Hermit Kingdom, Seoul, the Korean capital, is a sweeping panorama of glistening, high-rise office blocks, banks and hotels, and a good city for shoppers.
$$$$$$$What to buy
Popular buys in the Korean capital include the likes of antiques, dolls, tailored suits, and designer clothes. Korean tea, ginseng, lacquerware, eelskin and leather goods, handicrafts, fur garments and gems, particularly topaz and amethyst, are also good buys for foreign visitors.
$$$$$$$Where to buy
Whether done in vast underground, cavernous, arcades, in one stop, air-conditioned shopping complexes, at roadside stalls or at specialist shopping areas, bargain-hunting in this lively, bustling, city is great fun.
$$$$$$$Major Shopping Areas
Itaewon near Yongsan is undoubtedly one of the most famous shopping neighborhood’s.Here you will come across factory overrun clothing, sports apparel, jogging shoes and plenty of tailor’s vying for your dollar. There are also places selling handicrafts and jewellery, boutiques offering the latest in high-fashion and roadside vendors with a wide assortment of goodies. The district is also chocker-block with restaurants, coffee shops, clubs and discos if you should want to let your hair down after all the shopping.
Myong Dong is Seoul’s high fashion area and the main department stores are all within walking distance. It is an ideal area for quick, convenient, one-stop shopping. For night-time entertainment the place is replete with bars, nightclubs, discos and restaurants.
Insa Dong is popularly known as Mary’s Alley and is a great spot for buying items such as scrolls, calligraphy, Korean style cushions and blankets. There are a lot of art galleries and antique stores where you can browse to your heart’s content.
Namdaemon, also called South Gate, is an open air market that’s great for soaking-up the local atmosphere and for stumbling across a bargain or two.But bargain, bargain and bargain some more , you must !
Tongdaemon.or East Gate in Seoul, is another noisy, vibrant, atmospheric joint where you must be prepared to put up with the jostling crowds.Again you can come across bargains here.
Seoul is a breeze for getting around for there is an extensive subway and city bus system and metered taxis are widely available.Happy shopping!