- Address: 288 Jong-ro, Jongno 5 (o) .6 (yuk) ga-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Phone: +82 2-2148-4166
- Website: tour.jongno.go.kr
Like many ancient cities and countries, Seoul had a fundamental powerful defensive wall that protected the ancient settlement from constant enemy raids. Today, elements of ancient architecture, such as Tondamun, have found application in the 21st century.
What is Dongdaemun?
The poetic name Dongdaemun belongs to the gates in the center of the capital of South Korea - Seoul. The literal translation sounds like "great east gate". Otherwise, they are also called Hınyingimun, or "the gate of ascending kindness."
The gate of Dongdaemun is one of the symbols of Seoul. Previously, they were the main of the eight gates of the ancient city wall that surrounded the settlement during the Joseon Dynasty. Both the wall and the gate were built to repel multiple attacks from the side.
The grand construction of the gate of Dongdaemun took place in 1398, when the power belonged to King Taejo. Later, in 1453, they were reconstructed. That appearance that you can see today, the gates of Dongdaemun in Korea received in 1896.
Geographically, the gates belong to the Chonnog area and are located on the 6th Chonno street. In 2010, the nearest metro station in Seoul was renamed the "Tondemunsky Park of History and Culture".
Modern Tondamun
Currently, the whole area around the gates of Dongdaemun is a kind of tourist attraction . Today, around the monumental structure is located a large Dongdaemun market. It includes:
- small markets;
- kiosks and pavilions;
- solid trading areas (more than 20);
- underground shops.
In total, the market consists of approximately 30,000 stores and 50,000 trading firms producing goods. Institutions of Dongdaemun are open almost the entire light day. Here you can buy anything both in retail and wholesale lots: clothes and shoes, household appliances, jewelry made of precious metals, jewelry, household products, products, etc.
The area around the historical gate of Dongdaemun was formed thanks to the project for the improvement of the territory of the former baseball stadium, which began in 2007. Now here is located a huge shopping center of the capital. The market itself has been functioning since 1905 and is considered the oldest in Seoul.
How to get to the market of Dongdaemun in Seoul?
To the Tondamun district it is more convenient to reach the station of History & Culture Park by metro:
- line 2, outlet 11;
- line 4, output 8, 9, 10;
- line 5, exit 6 and 7.
You can also use the city buses and get off at the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park stop. The routes will help you in this:
- Red No. 9403;
- Green Nos. 2012, 2014, 2015, 2233, 7212, 8620;
- blue nos. 105, 144, 152, 261, 301, 407, 420.
The market of Dongdaemun starts daily at 6:45 and closes closer at 16:00. The day off is Sunday.