- Address: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Namchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Phone: +82 2-753-2805
- Website: namdaemunmarket.co.kr
- Foundation date: 1414.
The capital of South Korea , the amazing city of Seoul , is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Coming here, each of them is surprised how harmoniously the ancient traditions and modern technologies are harmoniously combined in the culture of this noisy but still colorful metropolis. Among the most visited places of the capital is the ancient Namdaemun market, named by analogy with the world famous gates , in the immediate vicinity of which it is located.
Interesting information
Namdaemun Market (Namdaemun Market) is the largest and oldest in South Korea. It was founded in 1414 during the reign of King Daejeon. For 200 years the bazaar has grown and took the form of a large shopping center. In general, grain, fish and some non-food products were sold here.
In 1953, there was the first major fire, the consequences of which could not be eliminated for many more years because of financial difficulties. Repair work was then carried out several more times, in 1968 and 1975. The last reconstruction was in 2007-2010.
Features of the market
Namdaemun Market was built in those times when cars were not yet, so it is impossible to move around the market by car. Despite its huge size (it occupies dozens of city blocks), the delivery and movement of goods through the bazaar is carried out exclusively on carts or motorcycles, and although this method is extremely inconvenient, local traders are already accustomed and do not pay any attention to it.
To date, the Namdaemun market is perceived not just as a bazaar, but as one of the business cards of South Korea. This place, full of life 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, attracts an average of about 300 thousand people every day! Such popularity is also due to the fact that close to the market there are such important attractions as the Sunnemun Gate, Mendon Street , the Seoul TV Tower, etc.
The main function of the market, of course, is trade. There is even an expression that, in Korean, means "If you can not find something on Namdaemun Market, you will not find it anywhere in Seoul." Indeed, in the tens of quarters of the bazaar there are more than 10,000 shops selling everything necessary for daily use, from food and household tools to clothes and accessories for the whole family. Demand is not only retail, but also wholesale purchases. So sellers can save money significantly by selling goods bought at low prices in the market, in their own shops. By the way, not only local traders come to shopping, but entrepreneurs from all over the world - China, Japan , Southeast Asia, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, etc.
In addition to shops with food and clothing, there are several street cafes on the Namdemun market, in which chefs prepare delicious dishes of national cuisine according to old original recipes. Among the most popular institutions are:
- Eunho (soups, first courses);
- Jinjujip (seafood, fish);
- Buwon Myeonok (cold buckwheat noodles).
How to get to the Namdaemun market in Seoul?
Go to the main bazaar in the capital will be able even a tourist who does not know the Korean language and first arrived in the city. In any guidebook or on a tourist map in Seoul, the Namdaemun market will be indicated with the indication of the transport that passes by. So, you can get here:
- By the subway . Drive 4 lines and exit at Hoehyun station.
- By train. In 5 minutes. walk from the market is the railway station "Seoul".
- By bus. The following routes run to the market: №№130, 104, 105, 143, 149, 151, 152, 162, 201-203, 261, 263, 406, 500-507, 604, 701, 702, 708, 0013, 0014, 0015, 0211, 7011, 7013, 7017, 7021, 7022, 7023, 2300, 2500 and 94113. From the airport you can take the public bus number 605-1.