Myeongdong Shopping Street, Seoul, South Korea

Standing: High
Rank: Rank 832 of 10,017

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Myeongdong Shopping Street

Myeongdong is a neighbourhood in Jung District, Seoul, between Chungmu-ro, Eulji-ro and Namdaemun-ro, and one of the city's main shopping and tourism districts. Renamed Meiji-cho under Japanese colonial rule in 1914, it became the district of Myeongdong in 1946. From the 1960s department stores, shops, boutiques and restaurants moved in, and by the 1970s it was popular with the young and fashionable. It was designated a special Tourism Promotion Area in 2000. Apart from early-morning and late-night delivery hours, the main street and most alleys are closed to traffic for pedestrians.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The streets are lined with mid- to high-priced shops, international brand outlets and Korean cosmetics brands, alongside several large shopping centres and department stores, hotels, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. The area's two historic landmarks are Myeongdong Cathedral, built in 1898 and the oldest Catholic cathedral in Korea, and the Myeongdong Theater. The Myeongdong Festival, held since 1982, usually takes place twice a year, from late March to mid-April and in September, with parades, music and dance, fashion shows and shop discounts.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Getting there

The southern part of Myeongdong is served by Myeongdong station (424) on Line 4 of the Seoul Subway, while the northern end is closer to Euljiro 1-ga station (202) on Line 2. The area is also one of the stops on the main route of the official Seoul City Bus tour. Once there, the main street and most alleys are pedestrian-only except during early-morning and late-night delivery hours, so the district is best explored on foot.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Place details and sources

Type of place: Attraction OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09

Common questions

Which subway station serves Myeongdong?

Myeongdong station (424) on Line 4 for the south; Euljiro 1-ga (202) on Line 2 is closer to the north.

Is Myeongdong closed to cars?

Mostly. Apart from early-morning and late-night delivery hours, the main street and most alleys are pedestrian-only.

When is the Myeongdong Festival?

Usually twice a year: from late March to mid-April, and in September.

Where it is

Open directions in Google Maps

Nearby

Within 7 min on foot

30 min
3 min walk
Myeongdong Cathedral
- Must see · Heritage site
- Place of worship
1 hr 30 min
5 min walk
Bank of Korea Museum
- High
- Museum
45 min
7 min walk
Hwangudan
- High · Heritage site
- Historic site