South Korea Travel Guide

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Shopping

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

Won (KRW; symbol ₩). Notes are in denominations of ₩50,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000. Chon means ‘one thousand'. Coins are in denominations of ₩500, 100, 50 and 10.

Currency Exchange

Foreign banknotes and travelers checks can be exchanged at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money changers.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American 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.

Travelers Checks

Accepted, but may be difficult to change in smaller towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Exchange Rate