If you want to see all the ancient palaces and stuff, you should stay around City Hall. (the hotel I stayed at was Koreana - it was pretty good).

Around City Hall, there's also Myeongdong (good shopping area), and a few stations away theres Ewha Woman's University (thats a great area for shopping too) - both are more boutiques rather than branded shopping. =)
Also around there theres also N Seoul Towers - you will see heaps of korean couples on dates there. LOL!

theres also the National Museum of Korea, that area is really really nice (maybe I just went on a really nice day). You have to change a few subway lines to get there I think (from City Hall).

Before you go there - study the subway map heaps!!! mark all the places you want to go.

Hello Tsai!
I'm excited about your coming trip!!!

If you don't mind, I will share some of my itinerary:

1 - Deoksugung Palace Business Hours (0900 -2100)
Subway Line 1

That place is SOOOOOO NICEE!! but too bad when I went there it was like -5 degrees and we were like frozen - so we just took a few pictures and left =(.
didnt' get to cehck out the SBS office ><!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ore0_gal wrote:
DEAR ore0_gal and pj0t ????? ^^

i am so sorry reply too late ,

in this week i am so busy in my job ~~

because in taiwan , all students are close their class and vacation is coming

so they have more time to buy glasses and ckeck their eyes

so i am sorry reply too late ^^

but your idea and suggest very very good and can help me so much ^^

in korea temperature i think it's always low and frozen right ?

but i don't know how about in april ? ^^

dear pj0t :

my wife said , she want to go "Myeongdong" lol

but i want to buy some "you're beautiful" something ^^

maybe "chihasanga" how about it ?

Question about SHOPPING in South Korea

I plan to visit South Korea in the future and my no. 1 priority will be shopping. From looking at celebrities in clothing adverts and watching dramas where the girls wear uber cute clothing, I really want to stock up on some South Korean fashions. The type of clothes I like are Basic House for casual stuff and Joinus when I want to get my princess on. ;-P

So...where is the best place to shop for good looking clothes similar to the brands I've mentioned above? Is there a Korean equivalent of SoHo, 5th Avenue, Robertson Blvd, Convent Garden...etc.? I'm not looking for Gucci or Prada...mainly good quality and cute clothes that could only be found in South Korea/Asia.

Finally I have some time to squeeze for this thread...

@Tsai, I think in April it will not be frozen. Maybe a bit chill and windy. Just put on more jumpers if you feel cold LOL like I live in 4 season country

Myeongdong is very nice. I haven't got the chance to explore the whole area last time. I don't know about YAB stuff, where to purchase etc. Perhaps you need to google more or get locals advise?

@Gems: Shopping is addictive at Seoul! I even forgot to cam-whoring LOL.

I lost my memory about the shopping area already *it was 2 years back* But I would suggest you start exploring from below list:

Dangdaemun market - flea markets, best bargains after dark.
Places to shop for clothing; Dotta, Migliore, Gwanghee Fashion Mall (2nd floor), Hello APM.

Myeongdong is very famous with more shopping malls. I think you will be more interested at this area. Major Korean youth-centric brands can be found here *as well as international brand* Night is very hectic and crowded!!! But it's definitely worth to mall hopping! Forever21, Zara, Bean Pole (Korean brand), Jessi NY

If you found any malls, just walk in and have a look. You'll never know what's awaiting for you

High end malls COEX Mall, Lotte, Shinsagae (awesome!), Hyundai

Go to Insadong if you interested for art and crafts souvenirs.

If you've limited time, just go straight to Myeongdong

Ok I need to log off now. It's raining heavily. Need to turn off all connection.
Till next time

P/S:
@ore0, does SBS office nearby the park?

Thanks pj0t!!

I will definitely save this list for future reference.

Seoul is certainly a shopping and eating heaven <3

Everyone, when you go, please do the following just for kicks:
-eat spicy rice cakes from a food stand
-drink soju (if you're of age) and eat snacks in one of those street tents
-eat roasted yams/sweet potatoes/chestnuts from street vendor
-go to amusement park
-walk along Han river
-go clubbing (hoping to catch glimpse of JGS)
-shop at a supermarket...the snack aisles of different countries are always fascinating!


I'll add more when I think of them

Gems wrote:

I totally agree with pj, SHOPPING WAS SOOOO ADDICTIVE IN SEOUL (i think it's better than HK, in term of clothing).

anyways, I recommend Ewha Woman's Uni (around there there's soooo many small boutiques - the prices are really reasonable) - I think it's really catered to more teens - 30s people.
Myeongdong is also nice - but Ewha definitely has more variety. I <3 Ewha LOL!

as for your list of must do....... I didn't do any of it last time I went T___T - its a must for me next time I go LOL!

dear pj0t and ore0_gal ?????

i decided to korea travel in 2010/03/29,30,31 and 2010/04/01 4 days ^^

my travel agency friend still not tell me which one is my hotel lol

because she want to find inexpensive and comfortable hotel

but i wish i can live near Myeongdong or Euljiro it's better ^^

after 2 days my friend will tell me ^^