Women-Friendly Travel in Seoul
The Seoul women-friendly travel guide places explicit women-friendly and family confidence signals first, while keeping uncertain details visible for review.
Seoul
Jewel Button
Two top Seoul designers create hand-made jewelry in award-winning designs which are available at this shop. Tel: (02) 733 9394 Address: Gwanghwamun
Seoul
Taste maximum
Kim Gyu-sik, the up and coming Seoul fashion designer and his associates have set up this little boutique in Apgujeong and in Lotte department store in Myeong-dong.
Seoul
Dongdaemun
Possibly one of the best markets in the city to find knockoffs of almost anything found at the department stores or boutiques in the Kangnam area, at a fraction of the price! The Doota B/1 is a great place to find such products. Upstairs is a great place to find accessories and their shoe department has almost the same shoes as available at the Galleria at one third of the price. The quality is somewhat questionable and the styles are sometimes not as good as their more expensive counterparts, but nevertheless, they are great hit or miss places.
Seoul
Jamsil
Jamsil is a great place for younger people as it has got tons of stuff for the younger generation. An ice rink, movie theaters, a sports center, and several other attractions are just the icing on the cake. Lotte World is geared toward a more upscale clientele but the prices are actually quite moderate. The department store carries a number of Korean and international brands and the top floor has an excellent food court.
Seoul
Dynasty Tailor
Reasaonably priced and with a reputation to uphold, Dynasty makes sure they tailor-make your clothes to perfection. Pure wool custom-made suits that cost around 250,000 take about three days to make.
Seoul
Kim Young Joo Millano
A well-known local designer showcases his creativity in this boutique where he artistically transforms hanbok, the spectacular traditional clothing, into apparel suited for the modern times.
Seoul
Gajukgongyebang
In this tiny shop you can watch with fascination as an elderly artisan lovingly hand crafts leather goods as per your requirement. Tel: (02) 392 4453 Address: Sinchon
Seoul
Myong Dong
The best place to find bargains in town is Myong Dong. A trendy area filled with clothes that teens and a younger crowd will definitely love. It is mostly filled with Japanese tourists and is home to brightly colored garments that younger Japanese are more likely to wear. There are tons of great shops for sports supplies and clothes that are great for a hip hop night in town. Myong dong also has several superb shops for accessories and shoes, and the sunglasses that can be found there are just great!
Seoul
Namdaemun
Within walking distance of the South Gate, this is one of the city's most popular open-air markets that carries almost everything at extremely low prices. A great place to find anything at dirt cheap rates!
Seoul
Itaewon
Itaewon is bargain hunter central! It is a great place for people who can go treasure hunting in piles of stuff to look for Korea manufactured, rejected-for-export designer clothing, and accessories. Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Catherine Malandrino are just a few of the brands you can find here at extremely low prices. Though some of the clothes will be outdated and might not fit all that well, they are still great as they can always be altered to fit. Adidas and Nike outlets in these areas have great workout and casual wear available, as well as great footwear. The street stalls are a great place to find imitation handbags and hats.
Seoul
Namdaemun Market
This huge market has its roots in history, dating back to the 15th century. A haven for tourists and locals, this market has on sale in its shops and stalls an amazing variety of goods from ginseng, dried seaweed, clothes shoes, accessories and hiking gear to watches, handicrafts, sunglasses, spectacles and contact lenses. The low prices and variety here are the main attraction for the buyer. At this market you will also find food stalls that sell cheap meals. Though Sunday is the weekly off for the market, plenty of shops along with the stalls do remain open. Children will definitely love to shop at Alpha with its range of toys and stationery each of which occupy two floors. Second hand goods are also available and you can find shops selling second-hand cameras, LPs, CDs and DVDs in Hoehyeon underground arcade.
Seoul
Star Market
If low prices and sassy style are what you are looking for, then look no further. You will find all that your heart desires at this new youth-oriented fashion store and café. The store employs Russian staff to serve the customers.
Seoul
Insadong
Insadong is a great place for souvenir shopping and is a great place to get antiquities and art.
Seoul
Gypsy
Get the feel of the 60's Woodstock era at this tiny shop where hand crafted goods are all individually made by the owner.
Seoul
Kukjae Embroidery
Pretty handmade Korean- style embroidery of all types is sold at this shop. Any queries you have about the work will gladly be answered by the staff, all of whom are embroidery experts and fortunately speak English.
Seoul
Ssamzeigil
All kinds of items related to arts and crafts are packed into small shops in this stylish new three-floor complex. An added attraction is the mini rooftop vineyard and a cool restaurant in the basement.
Seoul
Dongdaemun Market
Four neighboring high-rise shopping malls are packed with thousands of small shops in this famous huge market. Shops selling fashion garments and textiles abound here. Massage parlors are also hugely popular. The market also houses a 10-screen multiplex cinema. Though many shops close on Sunday, the four big malls stay open. The undercover Pungmul flea market inside the old soccer stadium is also part of this market.
Seoul
Namdaemun
The Great South Gate is one of the symbols of Seoul and is the most prized treasure of the country. It is a two -tiered pagoda style roofed gate made with stone and wood. This gate served many purposes; it greeted visitors to the city, kept away wild animals and prevented outsiders from entering the city. It looks stunning at night when it is floodlit. The nearby Namdaemun Market is a great place to check out as well. A lively market, the Namdaemun has wholesalers operating from midnight to 6am and retailers during the day.
Seoul
Yongsan Park
Yongsan Park is reminiscent of the famous parks that are often shown in movies, with large grass fields and thick forests. An unlikely sight in a city, it is home to several species of birds and trees and was once used as a U.S. military base.
Seoul
Yangjae Citizens' Forest
The citizens' forest is located on the Gangnam Street and has streams and over 106,000 trees. It is a very popular picnic spot for the younger generations as well as the young at heart. It has a clear view of the sky and hence is a great place to be on clear nights.
Seoul
Gyeongbok-gung Palace
Located in Yulgukno, it is Seoul's most spectacular palace and was the pinnacle of power for centuries before it was devastated in 1592 by a Japanese invasion. It has been restored for the most part. Its grounds also hold the Joseon Palace Museum, and the Korean Folk Museum. Admission: 3000 won Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm except Tuesdays (The palace is used for shooting TV dramas)
Seoul
What to do with Children in Town
The best place to be if you're a kid is at the palaces as there is just so much to see which is of interest to kids. Whether it's the turtles and gold fishes at the small ponds, or it's a visit to the museums, children will love it all. The Samsung Kids Museum is sure to get the kids excited about the visit to this superb city and the fireworks festivals are sure to light up their day. The Children's Grand Park is a great place for kids as well as they have a zoo, a botanical garden and an amusement park. It's in Gwangjin-gu. The N Seoul Tower is also great for kids as they will surely love the superb view. The best things for kids however are the parks and the space to run around. The toy shops littered around town are a treat for the little ones as well.
Seoul
Changdeok-gung Palace
Also located in Yulgukno, it is another one of Seoul's most spectacular palaces and is second only to the Gyeongbok-gung. First built in 1405, it was the center of power in the dynasty between 1618 and 1896. All the buildings have been restored and repainted. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see place!