Dongdaemun Design Plaza
동대문디자인플라자
A silver, streamlined building designed by Zaha Hadid and a futuristic landmark of Seoul, surrounded by Dongdaemun wholesale malls that stay open all night.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2014, is a giant streamlined building wrapped in curved silver aluminum panels with not a single straight line. It is Seoul’s most futuristic landmark and a venue for the Seoul Fashion Week and various design and art exhibitions (such as the multiple immersive exhibitions held around 2024). The free areas include the outdoor plaza, the underground Design Market with design goods shops, the Design Path walkway that reveals the building’s internal structure, and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, which holds the remains of Seoul’s Joseon-era city walls and the Hullyeon Dogam training office. The LED rose lights on the lawn light up at night (a permanent installation). Nearby is the Dongdaemun Market district. Doota Mall, Migliore, apM and other clothing wholesale and retail malls mostly stay open until 4 or 5 a.m., making them the emblem of all-night shopping in Seoul. Gwangjang Market, a 15-minute walk away, is also nearby, known for mung bean pancakes, yukhoe and “drug” kimbap. Visit suggestion: go in the evening to photograph the building and lights at DDP, then browse the nearby malls until late at night. Getting there: take Subway Lines 2, 4 or 5 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Exit 1, which leads directly to the plaza. Notes: paid exhibition tickets cost 10,000 to 25,000 won; some wholesale malls only sell wholesale, and retail prices cannot be bargained down; and taxis are hard to find late at night.
Opening hours
Architecture and plaza open all day; design market 10:00–20:00; exhibitions 10:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun Gate)
- Gwangjang Market
- Ihwa Mural Village & Naksan Park
- Namsangol Hanok Village
- Jongmyo Shrine
- Changgyeonggung Palace
- Ikseon-dong Hanok Street
- Changdeokgung Palace