Myeongdong, Seoul

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Myeong-dong is Korea's trendiest and most expensive shopping area, with over 300,000 square meters of shops selling clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, and cosmetics. Many department stores also have a major presence here Like Lotte Department Store (very expensive items indside!) and Migliore. Myeong Dong 's main street is packed with outlets and boutiques selling quality, branded products. But, the shops within the side alleys of the area mostly deal with non branded items.

Day or night, young people always crowd into the numerous restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and night clubs in the area.

What to buy: Luxury Brands Galore whether local or from Abroad!

What to pay: Since it the shops found in the area usually sell name brand items, the prices charged for the items sold here are way higher, in contrast to those sold in Seoul 's such shopping areas as Namdaemun and Dongdaemun so be prepared to maxx out your credit card!

One more reason to head to Myeongdong, most Korean cosmetics brands have outlets there.

If you are a keen supporter of the Korean cosmetics, do prepare for extra luggage.

Prices are lower there and they are very generous with the free samples.

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When you are at the Myeongdong area, you can visit the Lotte Shopping Centre, which is essentially a huge department store of Lotte selling mainly women clothings, cosmetics, handbags etc. This shopping centre is located just across the road of Myeongdong and you cannot miss it because of the huge "Lotte" signboard.

Laneige Flagship Store at Myeong Dong

Much less expensive than buying at the foreign countries.

Various product lines.

Many gifts to the purchase!

What to buy: Sleeping Pack and whatever you like.

What to pay: 80ml sleeping pack: about $17
but I found out later that you can buy the same one at the duty free store in the airport for $15. Anyway, you can have several trial gifts for the former.

Streetful of fabolous shops! From Giordano, Spice Alley, Basic House, Asics, and Might Mac. More and more shops, more and more brands. Make up from Skin Foods, The Face Shop, Missha, and Etude House. Korean make up are cheap and everytime you go in the shop they hand out free samples! Who doesn't love that!

There's cute lil cafe shops(tried to find one where they make heart pics with the cream on top of the coffee hehehe no luck!), pizza shops, and restaurants for teenagers to hang out. Very chaotic on Friday and weekends. But I totally love that whole atmosphere.

Everyone having fun and just enjoying themselves. I went mad in Myong Dong. 20 bags of cute trinkets, clothes, and all the shoes (20 pairs) I bought at the shoe stores in Myong Dong. They were like 10 bucks a pair.

What to buy: They have anything and everything here!!

What to pay: Can't bargain in Myong Dong. But the prices are pretty sweet!

You can find all kinds of things here, although the prices may be more than they were during my time in Korea. Like the East Gate area, it's a great place to browse, watch the people, and simply hang out.

What to buy: Here, you can find nearly anything.

What to pay: After all these years, I couldn't say how expensive it is now.

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If you can go to Myeongdong during off hours you'll probably enjoy it more- but if you want to see how many people can fit into small spaces head over on Sat afternoon! I enjoy shopping here you can get most of the Korean brands, all the sports brands, some expensive foreign brands and see lots of Japanese tourists too. Myeongdong Dept. store can provide accessories and cheap souvineers. Above the Kosney's there are a few good shops I like and the Young plaza as well. (don't forget the basement and the top floor!)

What to buy: Clothes, Shoes, Jewelery, Home furnishings, Food, Korean pop stay memorabilia

What to pay: cheap to expensive- look around

The Myeongdong area is a very popular shopping area among young women. It has dozens of name-brand stores such as Nike, New Balance, Levis, and others. Prices here are very steep, but it is worth walking around here just to people-watch!

Here's a cool photo of Myeongdong from the Chosun Ilbo newpaper...