Markets in Seoul

Are Namdaemun and Dongdaemun Markets (for cheap and wholesale) the main ones in Seoul? Are these two markets similar to Bangkok Chatuchak Weekend Market?

Any other markets beside these two in Seoul?

Also for both Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets, are most of the things sold there orginial or fake?

Thanks much

Markets in Seoul

I believe those are the best markets in Seoul. I am not familiar with the Bangkok weekend market which you have mentioned. These markets are not your typical markets. Most of the items sold here are for ';buyers'; of other retail stores. They are huge!! They sell everything from clothing, home decor, leather goods, fresh food (vegetables, fruit, seafood, meat), beautiful costume jewelry, camping equipment, -- I mean everything!!

Most of the things sold are original but they do have stalls that sell the fake or lookalike items.

Definitely worth the visit but go early cause it could get pretty crowded after lunchtime.

Markets in Seoul

Thanks. I read that the retailers mainly appear in the afternoon, while the wholesalers appear after midnight - for Namdaemun market. Can someone verify this please?

Yes I have heard that.

So it%26#39;s better to visit after lunchtime and crowded market is quite interesting too

I had a lot of fun shopping in Itaewon last week. Plenty of choices. Make sure to check out the little side streets...better deals. At night, the area turns into something similar to Roppongi (Tokyo)...many bars, nightlife...a favorite expat location.

The Dongdaemun markets are nice too but I wasn%26#39;t able to spend much time there on this trip. It rained quite heavily the couple hours I had that day (was on a business trip).

Is it similar to the Chatuchak market....no....nothing is similar top the Chatuchak market ;-) That place stands alone.

Please note that a majority of the sellers will close shop starting around 9pm in Namdaemun and won%26#39;t open until past midnight or 1. So, you%26#39;ll need to time your trip carefully.

Namdaemun is more of ';household'; and accessories type market.

It%26#39;s known mainly for selling foodstuffs, dishware, eyeware...and has a large wholesale costume jewelry section (but will usually only sell to retailers).

On the western end of the market, there is Shinsegae Department Store. They have a lot of high-end goods, food court and decent restaurants. If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the market. If you like that sort of thing, try some of the street food stalls. There%26#39;s quite a range and very tasty, if you like trying new things.

Dongdaemun is more of a fashion mecca and general goods market. There are main anchor fashion buildings (Doota, APM and Migliore) that houses thousands of individual stalls that hawk the trendiest clothes (meaning...what%26#39;s in but not necessarily what%26#39;s lasting). There is a couple of strip mall areas that houses more of the tourist trinkets, costume/bead jewelry and odd and ends on the near the actual Dongdaemun Gate.

However, on weekends, the old Sports Stadium (a remnant of the summer Olympics) houses a weekly flea market. I do have to warn you...it%26#39;s enclosed within the stadium so it can get really hot in there and there are any decent facilities....so bring water and make sure you hit the restroom somewhere else before diving in.

Note here...the anchor buildings will stay open nearly 24 hours a day, the smaller strip stores will typically start to close around 3~4pm and open up again in the late evening.

You might want to try Itaewon as well. That%26#39;s where you can find all the knockoffs, luggage bags and tourist trinkets. There are also a lot of good leather shops that have a range of leather clothes or will custom tailor them for you. This area also has decent bars, international restaurants and Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Neither Namdaemun or Dongdaemun have any western-friendly restaurants.

i was wondering if anyone knows where i could get wallpaper from?? i want some traditional styles, will i find them at any of the above markets?

makeup