Hongdae Shopping District

• Address：3 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 마포구 홍익로 3길 (서교동)
• Transportation:Hongik University Station (홍대입구역, Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 9, about 5 minutes walk.Many bus lines pass through Hongdae, such as 271, 602 and 7711.
• Recommended tour:12-Day Best Japan-Korea Small Group

Hongdae Overview

The shops in Hongdae are mainly independent designer brands, niche fashion brands, vintage goods and street fashion. If you want to buy something unique, this is the ideal place.

 

What to do in Hongdae？

1. Shopping

Hongdae Shopping District is a creative place for people who like independent design, street fashion and unique products. There are many independent designer stores, second-hand stores and trendy brand stores where you can buy unique clothes, accessories, shoes, etc.

• Hongdae Main Street: One of the busiest shopping streets, full of trendy stores loved by young people.
• Hongdae Underground Mall: If you like fast fashion, there are many trendy clothes suitable for young people here.

 

2. Visit Hongdae Free Market

• Opening hours: every Saturday and Sunday
• Location: near Hongdae Park
• Activities: This is a market that combines handicrafts, artworks, creative designs and small commodities. You can interact with local artists, buy unique handmade products, and enjoy live art performances and handicraft production processes.

 

3. Experience street art

Hongdae is the center of street art culture in Seoul, where you can see many graffiti, murals and street art works. The walls and alleys here are full of creative and unique works of art, especially suitable for taking pictures and appreciation.

• Graffiti Village in Hongdae: In some alleys, you can see very distinctive graffiti art, which is a good place to take pictures and check in.

 

4. Enjoy street performances

• Time: Usually in the afternoon and evening
• Activities: Hongdae is one of the most famous street performance areas in Seoul, especially on weekends, you will see a lot of music, dance, drama and improvisational performances. The performances here are usually presented by young artists and street performers, and the atmosphere is vibrant, which is very suitable for tourists who like culture and art.

 

5. Rest in a cafe

Hongdae has many cafes with unique styles, which are a good place to relax and experience Korean coffee culture. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in these cafes, or try some creative drinks.

• Recommended cafes: Cafe Mamas, Bean Brothers, Coffee Date, etc. are all cafes frequented by local residents and tourists, suitable for relaxing and enjoying a quiet time.

 

6. Experience Korean street food

In the Hongdae shopping district, you can not only shop, but also try a variety of delicious street food. There are many stalls and small restaurants here that offer authentic Korean food.

Recommended snacks:

• Korean Fried Chicken
• Kimbap
• Tteokbokki
• Hotteok
• Eomuk (fish cake)

 

7. Visit Hongik University

Hongik University is the core of the Hongdae area, and it is surrounded by an artistic atmosphere. You can stroll around the campus, admire the architecture and street art on campus, and feel the cultural atmosphere of this art university. There are many galleries and art exhibitions around, which is a must-visit place for art lovers.

 

8. Participate in nightlife

Hongdae's nightlife is full of vitality, especially for young people. There are many bars, nightclubs, KTVs and other entertainment venues here, where you can experience the Korean nightlife culture.

1. Bars and clubs: Hongdae has many bars and nightclubs with music and party themes, including rock bars, electronic dance music bars, and K-pop themed clubs.
2. KTV: If you like singing, you can go to a nearby KTV (noraebang) and enjoy singing with friends.

 

9. Experience traditional Korean house culture

Although Hongdae is the center of modern art, there are also some traditional Korean houses nearby, which allow you to experience Korean traditional culture and architecture. If you are interested, it is a good choice to visit some traditional Korean houses or cultural exhibitions.

 

10. Take photos and check in

Hongdae is full of various unique and creative landscapes, which are very suitable for taking pictures. In places such as street art, graffiti walls, cafes, etc., you can take many beautiful photos and leave good memories.

 

Must-visit shops in Hongdae

1. Stylenanda Pink Hotel

• Items sold: fashion apparel, cosmetics (3CE makeup), accessories.
• Highlights: A popular check-in spot, the whole building is pink-themed, suitable for taking photos.
• Opening hours: 11:00 - 23:00
• Location: 서울특별시 마포구 와우산로29다길 2323 Wausan-ro 29da-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

2. Chuu

• Products sold: Girly clothing and accessories, especially "-5kg jeans".
• Highlights: Affordable prices and cute styles.
• Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00
• Location:서울특별시 마포구 와우산로29길 51, 51 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

3.ALAND

• Products sold: Korean designer brand clothing, shoes, hats, accessories.
• Highlights: A collection of many niche brands, suitable for finding unique items.
• Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00
• Location: 서울특별시 마포구 동교동 165-4, 165-4 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

4. Vinyl & Plastic

• Selling items: vinyl records, music peripherals.
• Highlights: A paradise for music lovers, the store has a stylish design.
• Opening hours: 12:00 - 22:00
• Location: 서울특별시 마포구 양화로 45, 45 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

5. ARTBOX

• Selling items: stationery, toys, daily necessities.
• Highlights: Very creative, suitable for buying gifts.
• Opening hours: 10:30 - 22:00
• Location: 서울특별시 마포구 양화로 162, 162 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

6. Gentle Monster Hongdae Store

• Products sold: high-end fashion sunglasses.
• Highlights: The store design is very artistic and suitable for taking photos.
• Opening hours: 11:00 - 21:00
• Location: 23, 32, 서울특별시 마포구 와우산로32 Wausan-ro 23-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

Tips

1. Currency exchange: There are many convenience stores and currency exchange points near Hongdae, but it is recommended to exchange won in advance at the airport or large shopping malls.
2. Shopping tax refund: If you shop in Hongdae, remember to keep your shopping receipts, you can get a tax refund at the airport. The tax refund amount is usually 10% of the purchase amount. Some stores provide tax refund services, remember to bring your passport and ask the clerk.
3. Be careful of fakes: Although Hongdae has many independent design brands, there are also some fakes and pirated goods. It is best to choose a reputable store when buying.
4. Opening hours: Most stores are open until 10 pm, but some stores may close earlier, so it is recommended to plan your trip in advance.