8 Things To Do At Dongdaemun Design Plaza
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (๋๋๋ฌธ๋์์ธํ๋ผ์), often referred to as DDP by locals, is one of those cool things to see in Seoul that is on numerous list after list of the architectural must-see’s in the capital city of Korea. Seoul was even named the World Design Capital in 2010 because of the DDP. The building is iconic and is actually the world’s largest atypical architecture. Often the home of artistic exhibitions, like TeamLab, but also home to Seoul’s fashion week, there is always something to see… if the building itself isn’t enough.
But really, it is. There are a ton of things to do in Dongdaemun but this is definitely one of the coolest things to see there. in 2015, DDP was the most tagged location in South Korea on Instagram. Dongdaemun can be a bit overwhelming that first time, so here’s a good place to start when you visit a shopper’s paradise that is Dongademun.
What to know about the Dongdaemun Design Plaza:
- How To Get There
- Basic Info
- Stay In Dongdaemun
- The Architect
- Things To Do At The Dongdaemun Design Plaza
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)
How To Get There
Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (์์ธํน๋ณ์ ์ค๊ตฌ ์์ง๋ก 281 (์์ง๋ก7๊ฐ))
Directions: Make sure to have that T-Money card topped off and you can get to the DDP easily via subway. Head to the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station and go out of exit 1.
Seoul City Tour Bus: The DDP is a stop on the Seoul City Tour Bus route which is a great way to see the highlights of Seoul. This is also a great place to start your trip on the bus as there’s a tourist booth right out front with all of the information. Find out more about the Seoul City Tour Bus in this guide or just get your tickets now here.
On a Tour: Dongdaemun Design Plaza is an epic place to take photos. Head there for a photoshoot on this night photoshoot tour.
Basic Info
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm (CLOSED Mondays) These are the building hours, but you can walk around the exterior and get cool photos without going in.
Admission: FREE, Exhibitions may require an entrance fee.
Website: www.ddp.or.kr
Stay In Dongdaemun
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Hotel
One of the best places to stay in downtown Seoul, JW Marriott has an indoor pool, and a few restaurant options as well as a great rooftop bar. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the nightlife downtown, this is a great place to stay and it’s gorgeous inside.
Check in to the JW Marriott Dongdaemun now on Marriott.com if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, or check rates on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel
Another great hotel in the area with delicious food options in the hotel and a rooftop bar with great views too, this is a great hotel to stay in Dongdaemun for families and couples. If it’s the summer, you’ll definitely want this hotel to enjoy their rooftop pool too. Not to worry for those winter visitors though. There’s an indoor one too.
Check in to the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
The Architect
Zaha Hadid is a British Iraqi architect and winner of the 2004 Pritzker Prize. When I first arrived to Korea, there was a stadium where the culture complex now sits. The DDP was built to replace the stadium which was built in the 1920s under Japanese rule.
The exterior of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza features more than 40,000 aluminum panels and none of them are the same. The DDP was even dubbed the ‘largest three-dimensional atypical structure in the world’. The interior houses galleries, event spaces, design shops, lawns that rise up to the rooftop and cafes and restaurants.
There aren’t any windows to let you know what’s going on inside so unlike other big buildings or malls, you sort of just need to open doors and see what you can find inside. No need to worry about walking in the wrong doors though, the ones that are open, are open to you.
Things To Do At The Dongdaemun Design Plaza
1 Enjoy The Architecture
Obviously the first thing you have to do at Dongdaemun Design Plaza is just walk around and enjoy the faรงade. Whether you go in during the daytime or the nighttime… well actually maybe you should go during both, it’s cool and you’ll probably find people taking photos and enjoying the views at all hours of the day too.
2 Attend An Exhibition
There are art exhibitions, fashion exhibitions, and eco exhibitions that happen at the design plaza. There are two art halls inside of the building. We got to see a Teamlab exhibit most recently. There’s always something. Make sure to check the DDP website to see what programs are up and running when you want to go. Lines can be long on opening days for a lot of events, so try to book in advance if you can.
3 Take Your Kids To DiKi DiKi
The Design Playground, also called DiKi DiKi, is a children’s sensory playground. The kids might not appreciate the exterior design as much as you, but they will have fun in this creative design experience zone and you’ll get a kick out of the play activities that encourage and foster play.
- Admission: Children: W15,000 for two hours; Guardians: W5,000 for two hours
- Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10:30am ~ 5:30pm
- Notes: Children should be between the ages of 2 and 9 for this playspace.
4 Get Some Food
While most of the larger structures are spaces for exhibitions, there is a hall of food shops. If you do arrive to an exhibition but see there is a wait, or are hungry as soon as you leave, this is the best thing to do for food.
This hall is easiest found when you’re down on the B1 floor of the structure. With the large structure behind you and the historical remains in the center, you’ll see an entrance toward the main Dongdaemun road. Head in to find some food. I’ve had pizza, pork cutlet, and coffee down there. Good for a quick bite whenever you need it.
5 Take a Break From Shopping
Dongdaemun is a popular district for shopping with shops like Migliore and APm just across the street. DDP is a great place to just take a break. Or, if there’s someone in your shopping group that really isn’t into the shopping. Tell them to cook their heels at DDP. It’s a great spot for people watching, there are benches and places to take a seat, and it’s not crowded unless there’s an event.
6 Re-enact a Korean Drama
There have been plenty of Korean dramas filmed at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. If you’re a fan, you can re-enact a scene. Get ready by watching ‘You Who Came From The Stars’, ‘Producer’, ‘She Was Pretty’, ‘Record of Youth’, ‘Love Alarm’, ‘My First First Love’, ‘Perfume’, ‘Are You Human?’, ‘She Was Pretty’, ‘Fated To Love You’… well and so many more. Trust me, you’ll recognize DDP in numerous dramas once know what you’re looking for.
7 Be Amazed by SeouLight
SeouLight is a large scale light show that uses the 220 meter facade of the DDP as the canvas. The media faรงade festival is an annual event so if you’re here for it, definitely go see it! The show can be seen from all over but you’ll want to get up close so you can also have the music surround you as you’re enveloped by the lights. It’s pretty amazing. This year it was on display once in the spring and again in the winter. Maybe next year will be the same! DDP is one of the coolest things to see at night in Seoul… go and see.
8 Find The Light Garden
A new light garden was just installed at DDP this month (December 2021). The installation which lights up and even moves when you clap to it, is a beautiful sight. Definitely try to see it at night to witness it in all it’s glory.
Did you like this post? Pin it!
