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Dongdaemun Market |
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Description
Ever since its opening in 1905, Dongdaemun Market has been one of the
major markets in Korea. Specializing in wholesale clothing, the market
has grown large, having more than 20 shopping malls. A full range of
fashion items that cover from head to toe, are found in Dongdaemun
Market at inexpensive prices. Just name it and you shall find it! No
wonder that the market is always crowded with retailers, foreigners,
customers and tourists.
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Section 1 - Retail
Shops
The main street divides Dongdaemun Market into two sections. Section 1
is on the side where Doosan Tower is found, and Section 2 is the side
of Dongdaemun Stadium. (See the map below.) Huge shopping malls in
Section 1 basically sell wholesale and retail goods, but mostly deal
with general customers and tourists at retail prices. Thus, they have
convenient facilities like money exchanges and information desks with
English speaking staff. Open hours are also aimed at general
customers, opening from 10 am to 5 am of the next day. With a pleasant
interior, and rhythmical music played all day long, shopping malls in
Section 1 draw many young people everyday. Various events organized by
these shopping malls (7 or 8 pm) are also delightful. Sometimes you
will get to see the youth come up on the stage in front of the mall,
dancing or singing. Major shopping malls are Doosan Tower, Migliore,
Freya Town and Hello apM.
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Section 2 - Wholesale
Shops
Shopping malls in Section 2 sell goods both in wholesale and retail,
but mainly sell in bulk. That is why shopping malls here usually open
at about 8 pm and close at 8 am or 5 pm the next day for the
convenience of wholesalers. The peak time comes late at night through
early morning. Since most shops deal with the wholesalers, there is no
dressing room. Refunds and exchanges are not guaranteed, so make sure
to check the quality and size carefully. Major shopping malls in
Section 2 are Designer's Club, Migliore Valley, Nuzzon, Gwanghee
Fashion Mall, Jeil Pyeonghwa, and Heungin Stardom. Among them, Jeil
Pyeonghwa and Heungin Stardom attract customers in their thirties or
forties with items of simple and elegant design. The teens or youths
in their twenties usually visit Designer's Club, Migliore Valley,
Nuzzon and Gwanghee Fashion Mall.
Sporting Goods
Near Dongdaemun Market is Dongdaemun Stadium. There is a variety of
sporting goods shops around the stadium.
Transportation and Map
Transportation: Seoul Subway Line 2 Dongdaemun Stadium Station, or
Line 1 or 4 Dongdaemun Station
 
 
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Noted Shops
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Doosan Tower
Doosan Tower has world-class brand name goods, clothing, shoes and
accessories on seven floors above ground and two underground. You can
pay by U.S. dollar, Japanese Yen or credit cards as well as Korean
Won. Exchange within 7 days is allowed, but refunds are not
guaranteed. Convenient facilities like dressing rooms, information
desks (languages: Eng/Jap/Chn), luggage storage (fee), money exchange
and food court are available.
Tel : +82-2-3398-2386~7 (Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)
Homepage :
http://www.doota.com
(Kor)
Open Hours : Mon. 19:00- Tue. 05:00
Tue. ~ Sat. 10:30- the next day 05:00
Sun. 10:30-23:00
Closed Day: Sun. 23:00 ~ Mon. 19:00
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Migliore
Shops offering world-class brand name goods, clothing, shoes and
accessories are placed on seven floors above ground and two
underground. U.S. dollar, Japanese Yen, credit cards are accepted as
well as Korean Won. Exchange within 7 days is allowed, but refunds are
not guaranteed. Dressing rooms are available. Migliore organizes
various events from 8 pm to 10 pm everyday in front of the building.
Tel : +82-2-3393-0005 (Kor/Eng/Jap)
Homepage :
http://www.migliore.co.kr
(Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours : 10:30- the next day 05:00
Closed Day : Everly Monday
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Freya Town
Shops with clothing, shoes, miscellaneous goods and accessories are
placed on seven floors above ground and one underground, and on the
2nd basement and the 11th floor have restaurants and food courts. U.S.
dollar, Japanese Yen, credit cards are accepted as well as Korean Won.
Exchange within 7 days is allowed, but refunds are not guaranteed.
Dressing rooms are available.
Tel : +82-2-2260-8114 (Kor)
Homepage :
http://www.freya.co.kr
(Kor/Eng/Chn)
Open Hours : 10:30 - the next day 05:00
Closed Day : Every Tuesday
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Hellow apM
Shops offering world-class brands, clothing, shoes, miscellaneous
goods, second hand goods are located on eight floors above ground and
one underground with the food court on the 9th floor. You can pay by
U.S. dollar, Japanese Yen, credit cards as well as Korean Won.
Exchange within 7 days is allowed, but refunds are not guaranteed.
Dressing rooms are available.
Tel : +82-2-6388-1114 (Kor)
Open Hours : 10:30 - the next day 04:30
Closed Day : Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month
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Heungin Stardom
Heungin Stardom is conveniently located, but the building has become
outdated in construction and design. Shops in Heungin Stardom mainly
offer the products at low prices. Some shops accept credit cards.
(B1·2F: clothing/1F: shoes, underwear, miscellaneous goods/2·3F:
wholesale clothing)
Tel : +82-2-2252-2312 (Kor)
Open Hours : B2F~1F 10:00 - the next day 02:00
2, 3F 21:00 - the next day16:00
Closed Day : 1F~3F Sundays
B1F Every first and third Tuesday of the month
B2F Tuesdays
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Designer's Club
Shops in Designer's Club offer both wholesale and retail prices, but
mainly sell goods through wholesale. Credit card acceptance varies by
store. (B2: miscellaneous goods/B1F~3F: women's clothing/4·5F: men's
clothing)
Tel : +82-2-2237-2503 (Kor)
Open Hours : 20:00 - the next day 08:00
Closed Day : Every Saturday
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Jeil Pyeonghwa
The shopping mall handles men & women's clothing, children's clothing,
underwear and miscellaneous good, though women's clothing covers 90%
of the products. Shops are placed in the building on three floors
above ground and one underground. Credit card acceptance varies by
store.
Tel : +82-2-2252-6744~5 (Kor)
Open Hours : 21:00 - the next day 17:00
Closed Day : Sat. 17:00- Sun. 21:00
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Gwanghee Fashion Mall
Men & Women's clothing and miscellaneous goods are sold in the
building with three floors above ground and one underground. This
shopping mall is recognized for the leather goods shops on the 2nd
floor which brings many retailers and tourists.
Tel : +82-2-2238-4852 (Kor)
Open Hours : 19:00 - the next day 17:00
Closed Day : Sat. 17:00-Sun. 21:00
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Migliore Valley
Products are sold both at wholesale and retail prices, but mainly
through wholesale. Credit card acceptance varies by stores. (B1~3F:
Women's clothing/4F: Accessories, miscellaneous goods)
Tel : +82-2-2254-4266~7 (Kor)
Homepage :
http://www.migliorevalley.com
(Kor)
Open Hours : 20:00 - the next day 08:00
Closed Day : Saturdays
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Nuzzon
Nuzzon deals with world-class brands, men & women's clothing, shoes,
leather goods, accessories, imported secondhand goods and
miscellaneous goods. Nuzzon covers six floors above ground and two
underground. On the 7th floor is the food court. Credit card
acceptance varies by stores.
Tel : +82-2-6366-3001 (Kor)
Homepage :
http://www.nuzzon.co.kr(Kor/Eng)
Open Hours : 20:00 - the next day 08:00
Closed Day : Saturdays
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Food
Each shopping
mall in Section 1 (See the map below), such as Doosan Tower, Migliore,
Freya Town and Hello apM, has a food court in the building. Various
restaurants, including fast-food restaurants, are also located in the
street between Migliore and Hello apM. (See the map below). Most
shopping malls in Section 2 do not provide a food court in the
building. In case you don't want to be bothered to cross the main
road, food vendors on Section 2 are recommended. Placed at every
corner of the street, food vendors are easy to reach and serve a meal
at inexpensive prices.
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Dongdaemun Tourist
Information Center ('TIC')
On the 1st floor are well-trained staff (languages: Eng/Jap/Chn),
touch screen information booths, maps and brochures, money exchange,
public phones and drinking water fountain. Five computers with free
Internet access are offered along with public bathrooms on the 2nd
floor. There is another TIC in front of Doosan Tower providing
knowledgeable personnel fluent English, Japanese and Chinese, maps and
other handy items for your travels. (Open hours: Nov.~Feb. 9:00~17:00/Mar.~Oct.
9:00~18:00)
Tel : +82-2-2236-9135 (Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)
Open Hours : Nov.~Feb. 9:00~21:00
Mar.~Oct. 9:00-22:00
Closed Day : New Year's Day, Lunar New Year's Day,
Thanksgiving Day (subject to change every year) |
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Shopping tips
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Huge shopping malls are
jam-packed during the weekends and evening. If possible, enjoy your
shopping in a leisurely way during the weekdays and daytime..
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Visit several shops to
compare prices for specific items. Shops that have the same appearance
are located everywhere, so it is helpful to write down the shop number
(every shop has its own number.) to find it later.
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Exchange is allowed, but
refunds are not guaranteed. Also, shops mostly dealing with the
wholesalers do not provide a dressing room. Make sure to check the
quality and size carefully before you pay.
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When paying in cash, try
haggling over the price.
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You might get 10% discount
by bargaining, but many shops fix prices.
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Dongdaemun
Insights
Ms. Yoneyama
Yukari (Student, Japan) was found taking a rest on a sofa near the
escalator in Doosan Tower with a bunch of shopping bags.
Q : What brought you to Dongdaemun Market?
A : My friend and I came to Korea on a package tour, and our
guide brought us to this market.
Q : Did you know about Dongdaemun Market before you came to
Korea?
A : Honestly...No. But this place is full of items that are
cute and inexpensive. I wish I had more money to buy everything I
want.
Q : Do you see any difference between Korea and Japan in terms
of fashion style?
A : Not that different. But anyway, as for me, regardless of
what the trends are, I buy whatever that fits my taste.
Q : What are the good and bad points about Dongdaemun Market?
A : One stop shopping is possible at a huge shopping mall like
Doosan Tower since it offers a full range of fashion items. Also, It
is helpful to find most shopkeepers speaking Japanese, but I wish they
were kinder and friendlier.
Ms. Dakaoka Satomi (Student, Japan), Ms. Yoneyama Yukari's companion,
stepped in to say, "This shopping mall is too big to shop around for a
short period of time. I want to take enough time next time if I come
again." |
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 Information
provided by Korea National Tourism Organization. |
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