Dongdaemun is one of the best shopping districts in Seoul with its diverse shopping destinations from street stores to large malls. Its grandness features very long shopping stretches with each area typically dedicated to one specific type of item. One major area of the mall or market can offer all kinds of footwear, another can offer all sorts of fashionable clothes, and so on.

Traveling around Dongdaemun provides endless options for shopping spots. In fact, it's impossible to really visit each and every shopping area in this district for just one day. It is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and footwear when shopping in the area. 

Transportation:  Subway

The Seoul subway's Dongdaemun Station serves a common station shared by two subway lines; while the nearby Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (formerly Dongdaemun Stadium Station) serves a common station shared by three subway lines.

When going to the Dongdaemun Station, you can use the Dark Blue Line (Seoul Subway Line 1, station number 128) or the Blue Line (Seoul Subway Line 4, station number 421). You can transfer to any of these two subway lines to get to your other destinations in Seoul. This subway station is close to one part of the Dongdaemun Market.

When going to the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, you can use the Green Line (Seoul Subway Line 2, station number 205), the Blue Line (Seoul Subway Line 4, station number 422), or the Purple Line (Seoul Subway Line 5, station number 536). You can transfer to any of these three subway lines to get to your other destinations. This subway station is close to the old Dongdaemun Stadium and the huge Dongdaemun Market district which surrounds the station. The nearby Dongdaemun Station is located just north across Cheonggyecheon from here.

The area around Dongdaemun known as the Dongdaemun Market includes upscale shopping districts, malls, underground shops, street stalls, and market places. Many of them are open even during the wee hours of dawn.

The Dongdaemun Market was traditionally a night market where wholesalers were open for business from 1:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Today, the area is practically open 24 hours a day. Some areas are open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day. Most stores are closed during Mondays and certain holidays.

The Dongdaemun Market showcases about 26 shopping malls covering over 10 blocks. There are about 30,000 specialty shops and about 50,000 different manufacturers within the area. Commercial establishments sell various types of goods including clothes, shoes and leather products, silks and fabrics, sporting goods, plumbing and electronics items, office supplies, fortune telling goods, toys, and Korean food and other traditional items. Pet lovers also frequently visit pet shops around the area. There are many dining establishments all over Dongdaemun as well.

The main street divides the Dongdaemun Market into two sections. The first section is on the side near the Doosan Tower while the other section is on the side of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park, the old site of the Dongdaemun Stadium.

The first section primarily sells wholesale and retail goods, mostly catering to general customers and tourists doing retail shopping. Tourists can take advantage of many money exchange facilities and tourist information desks with English speaking staff within this section of the market. General shops are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day.

Major shopping malls in this side of the Dongdaemun Market include the Doosan Tower, Migliore, Freya Town, and Hello apM.

While commercial establishments on the second section also sell goods both for wholesale and retail, this section of the market mainly focuses in bulk sales. Many shops are usually open from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. the next day. Peak hours for shopping is by late night to early morning.

Major shopping malls in this side of the Dongdaemun Market include the Designer's Club, Migliore Valley, Nuzzon, Gwanghee Fashion Mall, Jeil Pyeonghwa, and Heungin Stardom. Designer's Club, Migliore Valley, Nuzzon, and Gwanghee Fashion Mall attract more teen and young adult shoppers; while Jeil Pyeonghwa and Heungin Stardom attract more shoppers in their thirties and forties.

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