I found myself in the several-square-block of Namdaemun after meandering about Namsan Park for awhile recently. Just like before, the area is king to shopping, wandering, and tourist sight-seeing. Like quite a few areas in Seoul / Korea, Namdaemun is simply too large for a person to completely take in – even after a few visits I wouldn’t claim to have seen it all.
Hats? Pinatas? It’s hard to tell what these colorful objects are.
This accessories center was notable for welcoming you in over a dozen languages. Don’t expect the same language ability once inside, of course – but it was a nice touch.
Socks, anyone? Five or ten pairs (usually of the ‘pick and choose’ nature) are usually a good price if you need them.
A very busy intersection and scene – the umbrellas helped to guard against the sun or rain – either way the Koreans like to be protected from the elements.
Sang Dong Methodist Church’s interesting engraving.
Purses that look like ruffled skirts? Sure, why not?
Citrus chocolate and pomegranate chocolate are sound unusual, but reasonably edible. Kimchi chocolate, though? Red pepper chocolate? Hey, if you like it hot and bitter, that’s the way to go…
A rest area for tired feet.
Lots and lots of children’s shoes. This one small street /alley probably has more children’s clothes for sale than any E-mart or Homeplus.
Some… interesting… ladies shirts. Needless to say, I didn’t see many people stopping for a closer look here…
…or here, for that matter.
The next time you want to complain about your job, remember this guy. His job, apparently, was to make people notice the pot on his head, the writing on his vest, pants, and pot lid just to get people inside the store. Can one truly put a price on one’s own self-worth?
Namdaemun remains one of my favorite areas to meander, shop, and see what Seoul has to offer. While the bigger department stores are encroaching on the street sellers space, I haven’t yet seen the signs that the masses are converting to the air-conditioned behemoths just yet. Rents are (presumably) still cheaper on the street or from a push-cart, which means your prices are likely to be quite low as well. Shirts for 5,000 won. Backpacks for 10,000 won. Food and snack stuff at lower-than-expected prices. The only complaints of high prices came from an imported-food area inside an older building – but remember, it’s being imported in fairly small quantities… Come for an afternoon or evening, but be prepared for a very crowded trip on the weekends.
Directions to Namdaemun Market: Take line 4 of the Seoul subway system to the Hoehyeon station, one station from Seoul Station. Exit 5 leads up directly to one entrance to Namdaemun Market, and is probably the easiest place to get started. Remember that the area is several square blocks in size – you’re likely to find another way there if you’re already downtown or near Namsan Park. A number of buses – including yellow buses 03 and 05 – stop around the perimeter of the market – get off when the see the hustle and bustle.
