1. Myeong-dong

A first-rate shopping and entertainment area, Myeong-dong, is noted for its food and entertainment establishments frequented by people of all ages. Located in downtown Seoul, there are four major department stores staffed by clerks who can speak either English or Japanese. Many of the city's top brand stores line the narrow alleys of Myeong-dong. Major fashion designers also have boutiques here and foreign brand name products and shoe stores can be found in abundance. Financial institutions such as banks and investment companies are also located along Myeong-dong. To get there, all you need do is take the blue line, line number 4, and ride to Myeong-dong Station. You can enter the main street of Myeong-dong if you come out of exit 4.

Migliore

Migliore is a large shopping complex, and most of the shops in this building deal with garments. The location is very convenient because it is directly connected to Myeong-dong subway station (the blue line). The products here always reflect the latest fashion trends while prices are often even lower than other shops in Seoul. Many stores in Migliore do not sell at fixed prices so you can bargain with store owners to lower prices.
It will be an exciting and culturally eye-opening experience!



2. Dongdaemun Market

This huge shopping area near Dongdaemun (Great East Gate) and Dongdaemun Stadium is roughly divided into two sections. The northern area has more traditional stores, specializing in clothes, vibrantly colored fabrics, and wedding gifts. Many newlyweds will come here to do all the shopping for their new homes. The southern area has more modern buildings, targeting younger shoppers with trendy clothes and fashion accessories. Since most stores are open 24 hours, the area is bustling with shoppers at all hours of the night.




You can get to Dongdaemun Market by taking the dark blue line and getting off at Dongdaemun Station, using exit 14. Dongdaemun Station is a complex structure with many exits, so it may take some time to locate the right one. In that case, feel free to ask locals passing by, who can point you in the right direction.





3. Namdaemoon Market

Namdaemun Market, located in the upper-center of Seoul, is the oldest and largest traditional market in Korea, selling everything from children's, men's, and women's clothing, to daily miscellaneous goods, kitchenware and local and imported products. Most shops offer both wholesale and retail prices, which enables visitors to purchase various goods at an very inexpensive price.



Map of Namdaemoon Market Area:





4. COEX

COEX is a convention center with interesting exhibitions, and which also holds various performances and events. In addition, many of the shops, including designer brand clothing shops, convenience stores, and furniture stores, are lined in a row along the both sides of the street of COEX Mall. On weekends, streets in this building are filled with families and lively groups of young people. After shopping, you can have a light meal at the food court or a restaurant in this building. Restaurants are scattered all throughout the complex, in addition to two food courts in the COEX Mall. For transportation, you need to take the green line and ride to Samsung Station, and use exit 6. COEX Mall will be right in front of you.

Itaewon is perhaps the most exotic place in Seoul, representing a fusion culture with a distinctive atmosphere. It has many antique and modern furniture shops, plus authentic multi-national restaurants of Indonesian, Afghanistan, Thai, Malaysian, American and Korean cuisine. This area is also famous for its night life, popular bars, and street vendors. Most signboards are written in English, and the area is frequented by many English speaking tourists. You also can visit the official site for Itaewon, http://visitseoul.net



Map of Itaewon's main street

Lotte Department Store

Lotte Department store introduced the modern retail format to Korea in 1979. This was the first major modern department store in Korea, and has been the irrefutable leader of the retail industry for the past quarter century. It has 23 branches nationwide, eight of them in Seoul, including:

Myungdong Branch

Location : Sogongdong, Junggu
(Detrain at the Euljiro Station of subway line No. 2)
Telephone : (02) 771-2500

Chamsil Branch

Location : Chamsildong, Songpagu (Chamsil station of Subway line No. 2. Also connected to Lotteworld amusement park)
Telephone : (02) 411-2500

Youngdengpo Branch

Location : Youngdengpodong, Youngdengpogu (Youngdengpo Station of subway line No.1. Also Connected Train station)
Telephone : (02) 2632-2500

Hyun-Dai Department Store

Hyun-Dae Department Store is the second large department store in Korea followed after Lotte. It is famous for its luxurious interior and high-quality customer service. It has totally 11 branches six of them in Seoul, including:

Apgujeong Branch

Location : Apgujeongdong, Kandnamgu
(Apgujeong station of subway No. 3)
Telephone : (02) 547-2233

Shinchon Branch

Location : Yeonheedong, Seodaemungu (Shinchon station of subway No. 2)
Telephone : (02) 411-2500

Youngdengpo Branch

Location : Youngdengpodong, Youngdengpogu (Youngdengpo Station of subway line No.1. Also Connected Train station)
Telephone : (02) 3145-2233

Shinsegae Department Store

Shinsegae Department Store is the one of the rising retail store in Korea. It has Korea's number 1 superstore, E-Mart, as a sister company. Shinsegae has seven branches, among them four in Seoul, including:

Main Branch

Location : Chungmuro, Junggu
(Hoehyeon station of subway No. 4)
Telephone : 1588-1234

Kangnam Branch

Location : Banpodong, Seochogu
(Express Bus Terminal Station of subway No. 3)
Telephone : 1588-1234