The best
shopping districts and
markets are in the capital,
Seoul, and include:
• Namdaemun Korea’s largest general
wholesale market.
• Dongdaemun One of Seoul’s oldest markets, good for
bargains.
• Myeong-dong Korea’s fashion district and home to countless
mid-market brands, boutiques, malls and an underground shopping passage leading to Namdaemun.
• Insa-dong Delightful street for crafts, antiques and
art.
• Itaewon A modern shopping
district popular with foreign tourists, where shopkeepers speak English and sell all kinds of stuff; known for its many
tailors, who can whip up shirts and suits.
• Yongsan Electronics Market Largest electronics and computer market in Korea.
• Koyndang Oriental medicine,
spice and
herb market.
• Hwangkhak-dong Flea market, good for
second-hand shopping.
• Ahyon-dong Home to more than 120
wedding boutiques.
• COEX Asia’s
biggest shopping mall is all underground.
• Apgujeong The poshest shopping district
in Korea with
designers from Armani to Versace having stores in the area.
Favorite buys include
hand-tailored clothes, silks, brocades, handbags, leatherwork, gold jewelry, topaz, amethyst, amber, jade and silver, ginseng, tea paintings, costume dolls, musical instruments, brassware, lacquerware, woodcarvings, baskets, scrolls and screens. Major cities have foreigners’ duty-free shops where people can use foreign currency with a valid passport.
Shopping hours
Mon-Sun 1030-2000 (often until 2200).
Currency Information:CurrencyWon (KRW; symbol ₩). Notes are in denominations of ₩10,000, 5,000 and 1,000
. Chon means ‘one thousand'. New 50,000-won and 100,000-won banknotes are scheduled to be introduced in early 2009. Coins are in denominations of ₩500, 100, 50 and 10.
Currency ExchangeForeign banknotes and travelers cheques can be exchanged at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money changers.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsAmerican Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants in the larger cities. You may not be able use credit cards at small businesses and in rural areas. You may also want to check whether your credit card is accepted by looking at door signs before you enter an establishment. ATMs are available in all major cities, but not all of them will accept international cards. Just keep trying different outlets until you see a logo you recognize on the machine. Cards with the Plus and Cirrus logos are the easiest to use and most widely accepted in Korea.
Traveller's ChequesAccepted, but may be difficult to change in smaller towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Currency RestrictionsRestrictions apply.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0900-1700.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00= | KRW1,914.12 |
| $1.00= | KRW1,311.74 |
| €1.00= | KRW1,747.88 |
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