Heunginjimun, designated Treasure No. 1, was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed important government facilities. Heunginjimun was the large gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress. Likewise, the name of Dongdaemun comes from the fact that ‘Dong’ means east and ‘Dae’ means large.
2. DDP(Dongdaemun Design Plaza)
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a blend of traditional buildings, relics and
cutting-edge modern multicultural facilities.
Seoul Fortress, Igansumun
Water Gate (floodgate channeling water from Namsan Mountain to Cheonggyecheon
Stream and Seoul Fortress), Dongdaemun History Hall, the Dongdaemun Excavation
Site, Dongdaemun Sports Memorial Hall, Event Hall, and Design Gallery can all be
found at the DDP.
3. Dongdaemun Shopping Area
The urban sprawl of Dongdaemun draws in huge numbers of shoppers at all hours of the day. Quite simply, it is Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district, boasting a staggering twenty-six shopping malls, over 30,000 specialty shops and more than 50,000 manufacturers. If one were to visit today, they would be lucky to find the old, traditional market areas of Dongdaemun Shopping Town and Dongdaemun Chain Store. Shops here cater primarily to newlyweds selling clothing materials, bedding, and silverware – all the essentials for starting a new household together. Polar opposite across from DDP, are the colossal department stores of Doosan Tower, Migliore, Hello APM,Maxitile, and Good Morning City – arguably today’s hippest stores for both teens and college students. Here one can find the latest fashions, shoes, inexpensive jewelry, bags, CDs and even colored wigs.
