Dongdaemun

Seoul

The fashion-market district around Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the old East Gate, where wholesale malls open late into the night.

Best for Budget · Families

Transport: 5/5
Sights: 3/5
Value: 5/5
Quiet: 2/5
Food: 4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$100/night · 10 min to City Hall

See hotels in Dongdaemun

Why stay here

Good-value hotels
Gwangjang Market and late-night shopping
Several subway lines

Who should stay here

Budget travellers
Shoppers
Food lovers

Not ideal if…

You want quiet streets
You want traditional charm on your doorstep
You want nightlife beyond the markets

What it's like

Dongdaemun is named after the East Gate of the old city wall. Today it's dominated by Zaha Hadid's curving Dongdaemun Design Plaza and by fashion malls and wholesale markets, some open until dawn. Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's best food markets, and the Cheonggyecheon stream are a short walk west.

It's good value, with lots of mid-range hotels and several subway lines, and it's a quick ride to Myeongdong and Jongno. It's busy and a little gritty, and outside the markets there's little to do in the evening.

Best streets and sub-areas

DDP and the fashion malls
Design plaza and wholesale malls open late.
Heunginjimun
The East Gate, with the city-wall trail up Naksan.
Jongno 5-ga
Gwangjang Market and old shops to the west.

Getting around

Nearest stations: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Lines 2, 4 and 5), Dongdaemun (Lines 1 and 4) and Jongno 5-ga stations.
To City Hall: About 10 minutes
From Incheon International Airport: About 70 minutes: AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 4 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, or an airport limousine bus.

Nearby attractions

Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Zaha Hadid's building, with exhibitions and a rooftop park.
Seoul City Wall trail
Walk the wall from the East Gate up to Naksan Park at sunset.
Gwangjang Market
Food stalls and silk traders in a 1905 market.

Where to eat and drink

Gwangjang Market
Bindaetteok, yukhoe and gimbap at shared counters.
Dakhanmari alley
Whole-chicken soup restaurants near the East Gate.

Where to stay in Dongdaemun

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

Why we like it: Hotel facing the East Gate with views of the city wall.

Typical luxury rate in Dongdaemun: ~$215/night

Check availability

Best value

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun

Why we like it: Large hotel near DDP with a rooftop terrace.

Typical mid-range rate in Dongdaemun: ~$100/night