See also: 30 Best Things to Do in Seoul
Myeongdong, one of the most flourishing Korean cities, is a fashion hub and a paradise for makeup and cosmetics lovers. The street food over here melts into your mouth like nothing else, the famous K-Pop star performances taking place every now and then and then there are those most amazing shopping destinations that you can never get enough of. Do you think its worth missing? Let us take a trip through the best this city has to offer-
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The charm of the city of Myeongdong lies in its trendiest shopping destinations flourishing all across the Myeongdong Shopping Street. People from not just across the entire country, but from other neighboring countries such as Japan as well come to buy their most favorite outfits from the best stores like H&M, Zara and Forever 21. The outfits available here are unique not only because they are almost always ahead of the latest trends across the world, but actually are more than just that. Trends, in a way, are set on the streets of Myeongdong. Other than clothes, you can also get a makeover with the most effective cosmetics which slow down ageing like magic would. The products available here make your skin glow and believe in the old saying that age is just a number. The most famous cosmetic stores over here include Too Cool For School and Nature Republic.
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Besides shopping and crowded streets, the city of Myeongdong also plays a host to one of the oldest Church in Korea which adds a touch of history and glory to this place. The Church, besides being a beautiful and a peaceful visiting place, is also a common ground for different protests and gatherings. Even though the essence of the Church mostly appears to be European at one glance, there is so much of Korean history to this place that one might be surprised. The Church dates back to the 19th century and happens to be the first Gothic building in Korea. Both the interior and the exterior of the Church never fails to mesmerize its visitors.
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The Lotte Departmental Store is much like those stores across the Myeongdong Shopping Street as it has the most amazing collection of cosmetics and beauty products. The Lotte Department Store, opened in 1979, is one of the most popular stores in the city which has every single beauty product; you name it and they have it. From the best makeup products to the latest and the trendiest clothes from across the world, this store has it all. And what’s even more shocking is the fact that this place always has one or the other kind of sale going on in here. And what’s even more exciting is that this place values its customers from foreign countries so much that they’re even offered tax refunds as they shop. And that is just not it about the place. They also have a huge food court in the basement where one can take a break while shopping. The food court offers not just the traditional Korean cuisine, but also serves the tastiest food items from various international cuisines.
When culture met shopping, the Shinsegae Department Store happened
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If you’re looking for another luxury shopping hub in Myeongdong where foreigners can buy duty-free products, the Shinsegae Department Store should be on your list. The store is replete with all kinds of products from the topmost international brands. They have all kinds of outfits, accessories and cosmetics, etc. These particular sections have such a great collection that they have entire floors dedicated to each of the categories. A section at the basement is dedicated to fruits and delicacies from everywhere. However, what makes it stand apart from other stores across the street is that cultural touch this place has to it. There is an entire gallery dedicated to modern Korean artwork showcasing the talents of local artists.
Meant exclusively for the K-Pop fan in you, this market is a talent hub for both dancers and musicians. The stores in this market are dedicated to music and everything about it. Over 65 different varieties of merchandise, all related to different K-Pop stars range from cups, T-shirts, posters, accessories, and a lot more. If you or your friends have a thing for K-Pop, you can also buy a souvenir for them or for yourself.
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If tea is your poison, have a break and submit yourself to your taste buds. Let them cherish the taste of n number of varieties of tea served at one of these traditional tea houses. Dalsaeneun Dalman Saenggakhanda serves one of the best teas in the entire Seoul. Pay a visit to this place and get a feel of the hot beverage in a proper traditional Korean setting with a mild Korean music, lighting and oil lamps. We would also recommend you to have a sip of the Freddo Green Tea at the Myeongdong O’Solluc Tea House.
South Korea being a country full of history, museum is one of those places in Myeongdong one cannot miss to visit and here are the two most interesting out of many. The 3-D Black Art Museum is one of the most interesting places to be in Myeongdong where one can feast their eyes with the perfect balance of artificial lighting and optical illusions. It feels almost like magic watching the exhibits change colors along with the lighting giving them an altogether different perspective each time another colored light falls on them. The place is open throughout the week and an average tour time through the museum is 90 minutes. There are a number of beautiful paintings to look at. The place also features a reindeer drawn carriage based on the animated movie named, Frozen, and a boxing kangaroo. Then there is the Bank of Korea Money Museum dedicated not just to the Korean but ancient currencies from all across the world. Another such amazing Museum is the Grevin Museum which features the wax statues of famous Korean personalities and some others like a few American Presidents and also the great Queen Elizabth much similar to the Madame Tussauds Museum in London.
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Amongst other cool and fun activities one can indulge into on the streets of Myeongdong is trying a hand at the art of perfume making at the famous G. N. Perfume Studio which offers around 150 bases and 20 varieties of scents to choose from. One can not only choose their own scents and bases, but also their favourite perfume bottle to carry their customized perfume in it and label it as per their own wish. One can also buy a bottle or two as souvenirs or gifts for friends and family. Another such fun activity is taking a cooking class where one can learn how to make your own tteokbokki or even a kimchi. The former is a spicy rice cake and the later is a seasoned vegetable dish quite famous amongst the locals. At one of those amazing cooking classes, under professional supervision, one can not only learn how to cook these delicious food items but also get a chance to learn about their history.
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Almost every stall across the streets of Myeongdong serve unique, tasty, affordable and handy food items like the sweet and sour chicken locally known as Dakgangjung, sausages rapped with potatoes known as Hweori Gamja, or maybe try a plate full of that giant fried squid known as Ojingeo Twigim. Other dishes such as Dak Ggochi which are basically grilled pieces of chicken and scallions or even Eomuk Tang, those lovely little fish cakes served with soup. Then there are the most delicious stir-fried rice cakes known as Tteokbokki served with a sweet and spicy sauce. And one certainly cannot forget the Kimbaps- Korean rice rolls, the cute little Korean dumplings known as Mandoos and the most delicious sweet pancakes known as Hotteoks. Clearly, you can never feel get enough of the Korean street food. One of the best restaurants to give your taste buds a feel of the delicious Korean food would be the Loco Quan 401which serves a wide range of soups, noodles and kinds of meat.
Quite famous for the party mood the place sets in and the all-pink décor to make you fall in love with the store in a minute, the Stylenanda Pink Hotel Flagship Store has it all. There are trendy clothes and the most effective and wonderful beauty products whose quality is unmatched. The place is a really beautiful place to click photos with such a great ambience acting as a background to your pictures. This place, therefore, attracts not just customers ranging from locals to tourists, but also a lot of photographers who come here for beautiful photoshoots.
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A hanbok is a semi-formal traditional Korean attire worn on special traditional occasions such as festivals or other ceremonies. The clothing usually consists of costumes of vivid colors and is usually without any pockets. One only has to choose the perfect costume from a bunch of dresses, get a traditional Korean hairdo and makeup and show your best poses to the professional photographers Myeongdong has to offer you. Believe us when we say it, you really are in good hands. The photographers of Myeongdong are so dedicated to their work that even if your shoot might take hours, they won’t give up on you until you get your kind of shot.
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When in Myeongdong, do not forget to end your tiring yet well spent day at various shopping stores and other sightseeing places by enjoying a relaxing spa at one of the most relaxing saunas in Myeongdong. At the Myeongdong Mud Sauna, all skin treatments are done using the natural mud from Boryeong which has medicinal qualities. However, this is a women-only spa. You can choose from various number of natural skin treatments this place has in store for you and let your skin breathe in.
The cat cafés, the most well-known of Korea’s themed cafes, are very well-liked.
When in Seoul, pay a visit to Cat Cafe Myeongdong for its wide selection of friendly felines, welcoming staff, delicious beverages, and an odor-free environment.
Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, Scottish Folds, Ragdolls, Exotics, and even Sphinxes are a few of the wide varieties of cats seen at this cafe.
The majority of the cats are social and amusing, playing with toys while sitting on laps.
Head to the lovely Cat Cafe on Myeongdong Street and unwind with your fuzzy companions.
Myeong-dong is home to the Myeongdong Shooting Range, an indoor live fire range.
This shooting range is a great site to go to if you’re searching for something unusual to do.
You can improve your shooting at Seoul’s most well-liked shooting range, which a celebrity created.
Obtain private tutoring from members of the Korean national shooting team, and utilizing state-of-the-art weapons and gear, test your shooting abilities on the range.
Choose from more than 100 weapons featured in more than a dozen Korean motion pictures.
Myeongdong was a residential neighborhood before the Japanese conquest, but this swiftly transformed into a retail center during the occupation.
Following the war, clothing and beauty supply businesses increased dramatically, and the area is now home to several excellent hotels, eateries, and cafés.
The street vendors began to set up shop in the late afternoon.
One of the largest street food markets in Seoul is Myeongdong Night Market, which has over 200 vendors.
In the two major streets of Myeongdong’s primary business district, there is a nighttime street food market (Myeongdong-Gil and Myeongdong-8-Gil)
You may choose from a variety of street food selections at the Myeongdong night market.
Eating is surely among the best things to do in Myeongdong.
You can sample some of the best dumplings and noodles in Seoul at Myeongdong Kyoja.
You should try their specialty dish, Kalguksu since it will delight your taste buds.
This delectable soup contains wheat noodles and a broth brimming with meat, veggies, and dumplings.
It was established in 1976 as the primary dining establishment in Myeongdong Kyoja, and Koreans and foreigners have frequented it ever since.
At Seoul Kimchi Academy House, a range of activities will let you discover, learn about and appreciate Korean culture.
A hands-on kimchi preparation session will reveal the tricks of producing this traditional Korean side dish.
By learning about the background and traditions of Korean food, combine your chosen ingredients and seasoning to suit your tastes.
Test yourself with the tteok-bokki (stir-fried rice cake) course if you desire more Korean cuisine.
Have fun taking pictures while you dress up in traditional Korean attire.
Myeongdong is undoubtedly one of Seoul’s most well-liked retail districts.
Get blown away by the unexpected experience; the adventurous, crowded street is full of twists and turns.
The best activities in Myeongdong include shopping, dining out, visiting night markets, and participating in indoor and outdoor pursuits.
There won’t be a dull time during your holiday!
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