All About Activity-packed Dongdaemun
How much of the past, present, and future of Korea do you want to see? Because Dongdaemun has it all. Heunginjimun and Cheonggyecheon whisper the past, the night view of Seoul represents the present, and the ultramodern DDP represents the future. Spending just a day in the area is not enough to enjoy all that Dongdaemun has to offer but if you want a meaningful, jam-packed day, check out our list of activities in Dongdaemun below!
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
DDP is a multi-cultural space located in Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station. Since its opening on March 21, 2014, DDP has held various cultural events such as exhibitions, product launch presentations, fashion shows, forums, conferences, and more.
DDP is Seoul's heart of design and brings in more than 10,000,000 visitors a year. The New York Times even listed it in their "Places to Visit" List. Every year, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and other worldwide brands hold exhibitions and events at DDP, so every time you visit, your visit will be different from the last!
After looking around the exhibitions, you can buy souvenirs at the DDP Design Store, which is funded by the Seoul Design Foundation, where they sell top tear design products. Even if you don't purchase anything, you can look around and see the interesting designs!
Address: 서울 중구 을지로 281
Hours: Every day 10:00 - 20:00; Closed on New Years Day, Lunar New Years Day, and Chuseok
Heunginjimun & Heunginjimun Park
Heunginjimun is one of the eight gates in Seoul and it is also called Dongdaemun. It was built in 1396 Taejo and rebuilt in 1869 Gojong, being preserved all these years. In 1963, January 21st, Heunginjimun was named South Korea's number one treasure.
This is Heunginjimun Park, which is right next to Heunginjimun. It is beautiful during the day but the night city view is incredible so people like to come see the stunning view on dates.
When we visited the park, the weather was exceptionally clear so we got to see a clear view of Dongdaemun. On the left is Heunginjimun and the many buildings on the right are shopping centers. You can see both Dongdaemun's history and incredible night view at once!
Address: 서울 종로구 종로 288 흥인지문
Heunginjimun, 288, Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Cheonggyecheon
Cheonggyecheon is a stream in the middle of Seoul that separates Jongno and Junggu. Cheonggyecheon is made up of the 1-ga Plaza all the way up to 9-ga and there is so much to see in between the Cheonggyecheon Plaza, which is located at Gwanghwamun Station Exit 6, and Jongno5-ga Station, where Gwangjang Market is. Have a meal at Gwangjang Market and walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream all the way to Heunginjimun. It will take about 10 minutes.
In the summer, the stream is full of people taking walks or just taking a rest in the shade. It is Seoul's respected resting area, a great place to come with your kids.
There are several festivals held at Cheonggyecheon as well, like the Night Dokkaebi Market held during April to October and the Bit-Chorong Light Festival in November to December. All year round, Cheonggyecheon's surrounding neighborhoods are bustling with people enjoying food, shopping, and other leisurely activities! Read more about our visit to Cheonggyecheon below!
Address: 서울 종로구 청계천로 1
1 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Gyeongdong Church
Walking around Dongdaemun, you might see a building that resembles praying hands. That building is the Gyeongdong Church. It is easy to find because it looks so unique. Also, most Korean churches have a cross on top of them, but this one didn't have one, which seemed different!
All parts of this piece of architecture have a different meaning. This staircase resembles the stairway that Jesus walked up while carrying the cross on his back.
The main hall of Gyeongdong Church, which was built in 1981, not only has theological symbols but also has unique architectural factors, so non-religious visitors will find the church worth visiting as well. It was designed by the pioneer of modern Korean architecture, Kim Soo-Geun, winning Gyeongdong Church the Korean Architects Association Award in 1983. Before the pandemic, the church held Organ concerts. Now, people like to come and take a walk while admiring the church.
Address: 서울 중구 장충단로 204 경동교회
Gyeongdong Church, 204, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Changsin Sungin Quarry Observatory
Changsin Sungin Quarry Observatory is a unique attraction that is an exemplary case of urban regeneration in Korea. In 2007, Changsin Sungin Quarry Observatory was designated as a New Town Area, making it in danger of being turned into an apartment complex. However, the residents in the neighborhood opposed the project and protected it. Due to the active participation of the residents, the country's first urban regeneration project started in Changsin Sungin in May of 2014.
To get to the observatory, you have to walk past Cafe Camel. You do not have to order a drink to get to the observatory but the cafe's view is also exceptional.
The view of Seoul from the observatory is incredible. The stone mountain in the middle of the picture used to be a quarry. This is a spot where the sunsets are insanely beautiful. Come here late in the afternoon and chill at the cafe until sunset and watch the sun set over Seoul.
A place with meaningful history and a beautiful overlooking view of Seoul, come visit Changsin Sungin Quarry Observatory. Come in the fall, when the leaves turn bright yellow, red, and orange!
Address: 서울특별시 종로구 낙산 5길 51
Hours: Tues - Fri 11:00 - 20:00; Weekends 10:00 - 22:00 (Closed every Monday)
Amore Forest
Who wants a unique perfume, that only you can have? Me, I want it.
Aroma Forest has 70 kinds of the highest-rated perfume from Europe. The same perfume that luxury brands use in their products as well. After testing out the different scents, you can not only make your own perfume but also your own room diffuser.
Testing and making of the perfume will be assisted by a professional perfumer, who can also speak English so English-speaking foreigners will have no problem understanding the perfumer. The owner was so nice and you can tell she has a lot of passion for perfumery. She explained each step with easy explanations so the process will be very smooth.
We tested out almost all the perfumes sr our noses were slightly bothering us but thinking about how we could make our own perfume was exciting. The perfumes are made of the highest-rated ingredients and plant-based ethanol so people with skin irritations or young kids can come make their own perfume as well!
Address: 서울 중구 장충단로 247 9층 아로마포레스트
Hours: 12:00 - 20:00 (Closed every Tuesday)
Price: Luxury style Perfume 50ml 35,000 KRW; Personal Perfume 50ml 45,000 KRW
*Make a reservation through Creatrip and get a complimentary car diffuser. For more information, click here.
Other Additional Activities
1) Claw machine
We looked for more things you could do in Dongdaemun! While hanging around the subway station, we came across a claw machine store! The store is open 24/7 but underaged people have to be accompanied by an adult after 22:00.
K-dramas feature claw machines quite often. In Korea, there are several claw machine stores all across the streets.
However, no matter how pretty the prizes are, promise we won't play more than 3 games. Just have fun and don't focus on winning because these machines are on the highest level and it is not easy to win a prize.
2) Coin Karaoke
Right next to Sunmina Happy Crab, a restaurant we introduced in our 'Dongdaemun Restaurant Recommendations' blog, was a coin-operated karaoke! We couldn't help but stop by.
Most coin karaokes are un-manned so go into a room you like and feed coins into the machine yourself! There were young students singing at the top of their lungs at lunchtime when we visited.
If you get the opportunity to go to Korean karaoke, try it out! You can sing songs from all over the world and if you like Korean songs, sing your heart out!
Come hang out at Dongdaemun, where you can find the footprints of modern Korea. If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!