Thingystreet : 2013 Sept Korea - 10 days South Korea Trip

DAY 8 - 20 Sept 2013

Seoul - Dongdaemun Stationery Store Street (동대문 문구거리) / Dongdaemun / Namdaemun market / Lotte World

Second day of Chuseok holiday, there were still a lot of shops not open. We chose to gamble and see if any shop at dongdaemun stationery store street will open for business.

Dongdaemun Toy market

Seoul - Dongdaemun Stationery Store Street (동대문 문구거리)

Addess : 36, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 종로구 종로52길 36 (창신동)

How to go : Dongdaemun Station (Subway Line 1), Exit #4 (5 min on foot)

Located within the Dongdaemun commercial zone near Cheongyechoen Stream. Stores on the street are open from 8am - 7pm from Mon to Sat (closed on Sun & Public holiday)

There are more than 110 stores in this street. Is one of the most popular places for those seeking both cute and functional stationery. You can find everything from note cards, crayons to party items at prices 30-40% off of regular retail prices (50% off certain items). Those buying in bulk can expect even bigger savings.

[website - http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1241248&nearBy=shopping]

It was very quiet street, not many people around (maybe because of the holiday period). Only a few stores was open, but there were a lot of thing to see in a shop, we spent more than an hours there as TC need to buy toys as gift for her young cousins. I have no young cousins, so there no need for me to buy toys. We proceed to Dongdaemun after that.

Seoul - Dongdaemun

How to go : Subway line 1 Dongdaemun Station exit 8

It's a area that specializing in wholesale clothing. A full range of fashion items that covers from head to toe, all can be found in Dongdaemun market at inexpensive prices. There are more than 20 shopping malls, shopping street, is a place you can find the thing that you want. So the market is also always crowded with retailers, foreigners, customers and tourists.

[ Website on more - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2_5_1.jsp]

Dongdaemun

We wasn't really in the mood of shopping, so we went to look for food instead. Went to a few shopping centers' food courts. Since we can't find food that we want at food courts, we went to the street and found this store

the place where we had lunch

Lunch !! - Budae jjigae

Picture menu was available so we chose this store. Thought I won't have the chance to eat Budae jjigae during this trip (TC can't really eat spicy and normally this only serve for 2 and above, but this store has 1 serving).

Was disappointed that the the side was not very nice but the Budae jjigae was good and eat until very happy :) !!

The helper was a Chinese, so we had a small chat while waiting for the food. She even asked if we are interested to stay and help in the store as she hiring. We were like giving each other the " what the hell is her thinking " look, we just act stupid and laugh her off. LOL

Seoul - Namdaemun market (남대문 시장)

Address : 21 Namdaemunsijang 4 gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to go : Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4), Exit #5
Closed on Sunday

The largest traditional market in Korea with variety goods. It sells accessories to toys, kitchenware to ginseng. Most tourists simply enjoyed the ambience of the traditional market.

[ More - http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=273760 ]

I been here before so I wasn't really interested to come back as the thing selling here, actually we were able to find it at dongdaemun too. But is TC first time in Korea, so I just bought her here to look around and shop. As we had some time after Namdaemun market, we head back to rest before heading out again to Lotte world

Seoul - Lotte World (롯데월드)

Address : 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 240 (잠실동)

Theme Park that is located in the heart of the city, it's the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. There are thrilling rides, ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as folk museum, lake and trick museum. And it's open all year round regardless of the weather

How to go - Subway line 2 Jamsil Station exit 8

[offical website - http://www.lotteworld.com/ ]

night entrance fee is much cheaper !

As TC don't dare to play the thrilling ride, we chose to go in after 7 pm to see the parades and the museum ( entrance fee is also cheaper ).

The parades for " Happy Halloween party " was about to start when we entered, so we just joined in and watched. Is a very colourful and happy show, people were dancing to the music and they even let kids join in to them dance with them (near the end of the parade).

After that, we went around and see the other rides and of course go to the trick museum (That why I didn't plan to go to the trick museum in Jeju Island and Hongdae )

Before we leave, Magic Island is a must go ! Magic Island is the outdoor rides and castle (something like the castle in the ticket - on the left )