Namdaemun Market | |
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Named for its nearby namesake of Namdaemun (Great South Gate) and located near the
downtown area, one of Korea's largest wholesale markets covers over 10 acres. It is filled
with over 1,000 shops, stalls, retailers, street vendors, and has several department stores
nearby. Here you can find clothes, shoes, fabrics, tableware, flowers, vegetables, ginseng
products, toys, and watches. Under Namdaemun-no (the main street to the north of the market)
is an extensive underground arcade.
Although many of Namdaemun's shops are within the buildings that make up the area, the most
colorful aspect of the market is the group of street vendors that setup in the alleys and
walkways between the buildings. Wholesalers operate from midnight to 6:00 a.m., and retailers
are open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although most retailers close their stores on the 1st and
3rd Sundays of each month, many street vendors operate stalls in the alleys.
Due to its location near downtown and the convenient bus service to and from
Itaewon, many foreigners visit here. Most of the vendors can
speak a few words of English or Japanese, but you will generally need an interpreter for any
intense bargaining. Because many shops are willing to take non-Korean currency, there is also
a thriving black market for money exchanging, with rates generally a little better than those
of banks. Should you decide to exchange money this way, take great care not to get ripped off.
Hours: Closed - Every Sunday Directions: Subway line 4, Hoehyeon Station Nearby is Namdaemun (Great South Gate). Also within walking distance are Seoul Station, Deoksu Palace, and City Hall. See related tour(s). | |
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