Myeong-dong

Seoul

Myeongdong which includes shopping, a city and street scenes
Myeong-dong
Myeong-dong
Myeongdong showing markets and food
Myeongdong featuring shopping as well as a small group of people
This central Seoul shopping district is the place to buy quality brand products and stop for a bite to eat.

Myeongdong is one of Seoul’s most accessible shopping districts for tourists. It’s located in the heart of the city and caters to Western tastes, with big-name brands and English-speaking staff. Big malls also stock local labels, but don’t come to Myeongdong looking for traditional Korean culture. 

The Myeongdong district is divided into five distinct areas. The main area of retail outlets is on Myeongdong Street. Sizable shopping malls such as Migliore and U-too Zone mingle with shops stocking well-known brands. Prices aren’t cheap, but you are guaranteed genuine products rather than imitations.

Two side alleys branch off to the east and west halfway up Myeongdong Street. These sell mid-range brands such as Club Monaco and Guess. 

Continue east to Myeongdong Cathedral, a rare example of Gothic-style architecture and the first cathedral in Seoul to be built from brick. The north section of Myeongdong is taken up by Central Street, home to the National Souvenir Center (another big shopping mall) and a cluster of fast-food restaurants. 

China Street is a small enclave of Chinese stores, stalls and restaurants. It’s located just behind the former Chinese Embassy. The street has a retro feel and is popular with Seoulites looking for something out of the ordinary. They also come here to enjoy spicy Shandong dishes. If you prefer to eat Korean, consider dining at one of Myeongdong’s many local restaurants and eateries. Try kalguksu (“knife noodles”) or donkas (deep-fried pork cutlets). 

Myeongdong has its own subway station on Line 4. This will get you to the south end of the district. To start from the north, go to Euljiro 1-ga. Stores tend to open mid-morning to late evening.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Myeong-dong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P8,933 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
P8,933
P9,826 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,393 reviews)
"It’s a good option for getting around. However, it’s quite expensive for what it is, a 4-star property. It seems more suited to the bottom end of a 4-star property. The breakfast was disappointing. As a tip, don’t pay for breakfast throughout your stay. Just try it if it suits you, and then pay on-site. ..."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2025

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
Step Inn Myeongdong 1
Step Inn Myeongdong 1
3 out of 5
15F, 55 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P5,226 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
P5,226
P5,748 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (875 reviews)
"Logement abordable et suffisant pour les voyageurs seul."

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2025

Step Inn Myeongdong 1
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Lotte Hotel Seoul
5 out of 5
30, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P12,040 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
P12,040
P14,569 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,053 reviews)
"Great, friendly staff with great command of English. Walkable distance to Myeongdong"

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2025

Lotte Hotel Seoul
Hotel Midcity Myeongdong
Hotel Midcity Myeongdong
3.5 out of 5
30, Dadong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P6,639 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
P6,639
P7,303 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 8 - Apr 9
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (520 reviews)
"Location is great. Close to tourist attractions and transit. Bed was comfortable."

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2025

Hotel Midcity Myeongdong
L7 MYEONGDONG by LOTTE
L7 MYEONGDONG by LOTTE
4 out of 5
137 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P12,040 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
P12,040
P13,244 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 30 - May 1
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,100 reviews)
"Great place to stay when visiting Seoul!"

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2025

L7 MYEONGDONG by LOTTE
Migliore Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
Migliore Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
3.5 out of 5
115 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P4,798 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
P4,798
P5,277 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Myeongdong Street and Namdaemun Market are ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,018 reviews)
"The olive young being in the same building could feel like a perk but with the renovating elevators you end up waiting forever to take the lift up. There are the other hotel elevators but you wouldn’t find them until after check in. You need to key card in after hours but it did make me feel like ..."

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2025

Migliore Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Myeong-dong

Namdaemun Market which includes a city, street scenes and markets

Hoehyeon-dong

While you're in Hoehyeon-dong, take in top sights like Namdaemun Market and jump on the metro at Hoehyeon Station to see more of the city.

Hoehyeon-dong
Deoksugung Palace featuring a garden as well as a small group of people

Sogong-dong

Visitors to Sogong-dong love its popular shops, and you can check out Namdaemun Market and Seoul Museum of Art. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at City Hall Station.

Sogong-dong
Dongdaemun Design Plaza featuring modern architecture as well as a couple

Jung-gu

4.5/5(50 area reviews)

Travelers love Jung-gu for its popular shops, and you can see more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Euljiro 4-ga Station or Chungmuro Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Myeongdong Street and Namdaemun Market.

Jung-gu
These mung bean pancakes

Euljiro-dong

While you're in Euljiro-dong, take in top sights like Chungmu-ro or Cheonggyecheon, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Euljiro 4-ga Station or Euljilo 3-ga Station.

Euljiro-dong
Insadong which includes shopping as well as a small group of people

Insa-dong

Travelers come to Insa-dong for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Insa-dong and Cheonggyecheon while you're in town.

Insa-dong
Gwangjang Traditional Market featuring signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Jongno-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Gwanghwamun Station or Jonggak Station.

Jongno-gu


Myeong-dong