Shopping - South Korea
Shopping in Seoul can be a unique experience where you can get anything
from dried squids to DVDs’. The locals markets are perfect place for
bargain shopping and you can get a whole lot of discount if you buy
anything of the Korean produced consumer goods such as clothing, shoes
and leather goods.
Seoul
There quite a number of shopping malls in the city with Central City
Mall in Gangnum-gu leading from the front. It is a popular store with
bookshops, food court and a Central 6 Cinema multiplex. The Coex Mall in
Jamsil is an underground mall with huge number of shops including an
excellent bookshop. However this is not a place for bargain lovers. The
Lotte Department Store in Myeong-Dong is one of the busiest places in
Seoul. It has a multiplex cinema, food court, duty free shops and a
number of restaurants. There is another mall in the same area by the
name of Migliore. This place is a huge hit among the teenagers and it
has a number of fashion shops inside with a food court on the 7th floor.
If you are looking for bargain shopping then Itaewon is the place for
you. The prices are superb. Marc Jacobs and DKNY are some of the brands
that are on sale here. The place is perfect for fake Louis Vuitton and
Chanel. Just to be on the safe side do not attempt to visit the place on
your own. Genuine Gucci, Prada and Armani collections are available in
the up market Apkujong. This place is a haven for class shoppers and
there is every chance that all your credit cards will get exhausted
here.
Busan
Home plus Department Store in Busanjin Gu is the most popular
departmental store in Busan. It has a 10 screen multiplex, 10 pin
bowling alley, health club and a very good supermarket. The health club
is ultra modern and a pair of running shoes is all that you need to
bring to the fitness center. If you are adventurous in food habits then
you can try dog meat which is readily available in the Gupo Market. In
Seomyeon you will get to visit the Hyundai Department Store which is
slightly cheaper than Lotte Store. Almost all stores have ready to eat
food and Western goods. Another striking feature of the store is the
plethora of sales assistants and free food samples in each floor. In the
same area you have the Lotte Department Store which is definitely more
expensive than the other stores and malls. This place is for shoppers
who revel in exclusive and designer goods.
Daegu
The place is not exactly renowned for quality shopping but then there a
few places where you can get goods at a good bargain. One such place is
the Seomun Market at Dalseo-gu which is also known as the shopper’s
paradise. This is a multi-storied building with over 4000 shops in six
sections. Even if you don’t have an intention to purchase anything here
it will be a good walk around. The market is closed on 2nd and 4th
Sunday of the month. At the center of the city you will get Daegu’s
Herbal Medicine Market which is Korea’s one of the largest and the
oldest market dating back to 1658. From lizard’s tail to magic mushroom
you will get everything here or if you are lucky you might see someone
getting an acupuncture done. Six days in a month you will also get to
see a wholesale market taking place in the Exhibition Hall.
Gwangju
The chungjang Shopping Precinct Area is the one and only place where you
can shop to heart’s content in the city. Chungjangno is a semi-pedestrianized
shopping district with an underground shopping arcade. The place is
always bustling with people all day and night. It has a number of
restaurants, bars, nightclubs, accessory stores, fast food joints et al.
If-U is a place for youngsters with a food court and six floors of
fashion shopping. Migliore has five cinemas, fashion stores, luxury
sauna and an event stage. The admission to the sauna will make you
poorer by 5000 Ringgits. A full body massage oil and scrub beauty
treatment will cost you 12 000 Ringgits.
Jeju-Si
Not much on offer for hardcore shoppers though the Chiseongno Shopping
Precinct is a place trough you can take a leisurely stroll. Dongmun
Market is spread over a large area but nothing special to offer really.
Jungang Underground Shopping Center is another place where you can get
retail goods but does not deserve any special mention.
This
project fulfilled many of my passions, the most prevalent being
travel in different cultures and teaching. It is an opportunity that
I find inspiring and wanted to take advantage of it.
