Myong-dong Shopping Street, Seoul

51±¬ÁÏÍø

Myong-dong Shopping Street, Seoul

Myong-dong Shopping Street, Seoul (must see)

Myeongdong is Korea's best-known shopping district. You will find mid-priced malls, high-end flagship stores, Korean brands, and international designer brands. Add in a smorgasbord of street food, cafes, restaurants, and night-life, and you have an exciting destination that will leave you dazzled.

During the Joseon Dynasty, this was a residential area. It became more commercial during the Japanese era. As the economy boomed after the Korean War, this area became the extensive shopping center that it is today. It's consistently named as one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world.

Myeongdong Shopping Street has every brand and item you could want. Shop international brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton. Popular Korean cosmetic brands include Missha and The Face Shop. There are hotels, restaurants, cinemas, and theaters to keep you entertained.

Lotte Department Store, a Korean brand, is an impressive 14 stories tall. It features western styles as well as traditional Korean goods and has a food court.

If the weather is getting you down, keep going down to the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center. The prices go down too--you'll find discount brands, cosmetics, and salons.

The Myeongdong Festival is held twice a year, in spring and autumn. Parades, live music, dance performances, and fashion shows are sure to impress.

Myeongdong Cathedral is a Catholic church that was dedicated in 1898. This beautiful church features a 45-meter steeple and ornate stained-glass windows.

Why You Should Visit:
Myeongdong is the shopping mecca of Seoul. Come during the day for retail therapy. At night, enjoy the city night-life and street food.

Tips:
Visit in the evening and try as much street food as you can devour. You'll find savory chicken, spicy options, and an array of desserts.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seoul. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51±¬ÁÏÍø App

Myong-dong Shopping Street on Map

Sight Name: Myong-dong Shopping Street
Sight Location: Seoul, South Korea (See walking tours in Seoul)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Seoul, South Korea

Create Your Own Walk in Seoul

Create Your Own Walk in Seoul

Creating your own self-guided walk in Seoul is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Insa-dong Walking Tour

Insa-dong Walking Tour

Originating 500 years ago as a residential quarter for government officials, today's Insa-dong is a buzzing shopping and dining district in Seoul where the past meets the present. During the Japanese occupation of the country in the first half of the 20th century, wealthy Koreans were forced to move out and sell their belongings, at which point the district became a center of antique trading....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Seoul Introduction Walking Tour

Seoul Introduction Walking Tour

The bustling capital of South Korea, Seoul, seamlessly blends modern innovation with a more than 2,000-year history. Remarkably, until 1972, the city was claimed by North Korea as its de jure capital and even specified as such in its constitution.

Seoul was founded in 18 BC by the people of Baekje. The three ancient kingdoms of Korea – Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla – fought over its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Bukchon Hanok Village Walk

Bukchon Hanok Village Walk

Bukchon Hanok, the traditional Korean village in downtown Seoul, is famous for its well-preserved 600-year-old setting. Once home to the nation’s nobility, the village sits on a hill near the Changdeokgung Palace.

One notable attraction here is Baek In-je's House Museum, which provides insight into the life of a prominent Korean politician from the early 20th century. Meanwhile, the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


17 Uniquely Korean Souvenirs to Buy in Seoul

17 Uniquely Korean Souvenirs to Buy in Seoul

Back in the mid 20th century, a certain gentleman once spoke of Korea saying, it won't be possible to grow a rose in a waste bin. Certainly, one would hardly subscribe to his point of view today in every respect, given the image of contemporary South Korea and its capital city of Seoul in...