DIY Budget Travel to South Korea Day 5 - Dongdaemun Night Walk

July 14, 2024
Mabuhay!

This is a photo and video journal of Day 5 of our DIY budget trip to the beautiful country of South Korea, featuring our night walk in Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Breakfast

Our simple breakfast is kimbap, Korean noodle soup, adobo dish, and coffee.

Getting There

It's a 15-minute bus ride from our accommodation in Sinseoldong to Dongdaemon Gate.

It is Sunday.

After attending the morning church service online in the Philippines, my wife and I relaxed at our accommodation and did some laundry and cooking. Around 5:00 p.m., just before sunset, we headed to Dongdaemun to explore this enchanting place.

After getting off our bus ride, we have a short walk towards Dongdaemun.

Seoul is a pedestrian-friendly city. The sidewalks are wide enough to accommodate many people walking from opposite directions without obstruction. They are also well illuminated, making them safe to walk at night.

Seoul is a bike-friendly city too.

Dongdaemun (Heunginjimun Gate) in Seoul, South Korea.

🔹 Name & Function

• Dongdaemun literally means “Great East Gate”.

• It was one of the major gates of Seoul’s fortress wall during the Joseon Dynasty.

• Historically, it served both as a defensive fortification and as a ceremonial city gate, regulating entry into the capital.

🔹 Architectural Style

• It follows the traditional Korean architecture of the Joseon period.

• The gate features a two-story wooden pavilion with a sweeping tiled roof and intricate painted patterns (dancheong).

• The massive stone base and walls give it a fortress-like appearance, emphasizing its defensive function.

• The pavilion above symbolizes authority and beauty, blending practicality with aesthetic harmony.

흥인지문공원 (Heunginjimun Gate Park)

🔹 Translation:

• 흥인지문 (Heunginjimun) = the official name of Dongdaemun Gate (Great East Gate of Seoul).

• 공원 (Gongwon) = Park.
  So, it means Heunginjimun Gate Park.

Heunginjimun Gate Park is a public park surrounding Dongdaemun (Heunginjimun) in central Seoul. It provides a landscaped green space with walking paths, benches, and nighttime lighting where visitors can enjoy views of the historic city gate and portions of the old Seoul Fortress Wall.

The park functions as both a historic preservation site and a leisure area, combining cultural heritage with a peaceful urban setting. At night, the gate and walls are beautifully lit, making it a favorite location for photography and evening walks.

Exploring Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): Seoul’s Futuristic Landmark

If you’re wandering through the bustling Dongdaemun district in Seoul, one structure will instantly catch your eye: the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Sleek, curving, and futuristic, it feels like a spaceship landed right in the middle of the city.

🔹 Architect & Vision
The DDP was designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, whose fluid, organic style gave the building its signature curves. She envisioned it as a “metonymic landscape,” blending Seoul’s historical layers with a forward-looking design.

🔹 Contractor & Construction
Built by Samsung C&T Corporation, the same company behind the Burj Khalifa and Petronas Towers, the DDP was a massive engineering feat. Its seamless curves and aluminum cladding required advanced 3D modeling and cutting-edge construction technology.

🔹 Timeline & Cost
Construction began in 2009 and the plaza officially opened in 2014. The project cost was about ₩484 billion (roughly USD 450 million), making it one of Korea’s most ambitious cultural developments.

This building is so huge that you cannot contain it in 1 photo.

Architectural Features Worth Seeing
For tourists, the DDP is more than just a building—it’s an experience:

• 🌌 LED Rose Garden – Thousands of glowing roses illuminate the plaza at night, creating a romantic atmosphere.

• 🌀 Fluid Interior Spaces – The sweeping, column-free halls feel endless, hosting exhibitions, design markets, and fashion shows.

• 🏛 Design Museum & Art Halls – Perfect for exploring Korea’s design trends and global art.

• 🌿 Rooftop Park – The plaza’s sloping roof doubles as a public park, where you can stroll and enjoy views of the city.

• 📸 Instagram-Worthy Angles – The building’s futuristic curves make it one of the most photographed spots in Seoul.

Whether you’re into architecture, art, or just great night views, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a must-visit destination that shows off Seoul’s blend of tradition and innovation.

Doota Mall is a prominent shopping destination located in the Dongdaemun Fashion Town Special Tourism Zone in Seoul, South Korea. 

• Shopping Focus: Doota Mall is known for offering a wide range of fashion items, including global brands, K-designer fashion, and luxury items, as well as Korean beauty products, skincare, and souvenirs. 
• Unique Features: It is celebrated for its unique blend of contemporary fashion and traditional elements, and offers a unique midnight shopping experience. 
• Amenities: The mall also features gourmet dining options, a food court, and duty-free shopping. 
• Location: Situated in the bustling Dongdaemun area, it is a significant landmark and a popular destination for both local and international visitors. 

Passing Time at Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon Stream is a 10.9-kilometer-long waterway running through the heart of Seoul, South Korea. Today it serves as a popular public recreation space, but its history reflects the city’s transformation over centuries.

Cheonggyecheon is a major cultural and ecological attraction, featuring walking paths, bridges, art installations, and seasonal events like the lantern festival. It symbolizes Seoul’s balance between modernization and preservation of history, as well as a model for urban renewal worldwide.

Even in the middle of the bustling city center, we often find ourselves retreating to this quiet stream. It’s amazing how tranquil it feels here—like a hidden pocket of calm tucked between the urban rush. The gentle sound of the water, the cool breeze, and the green surroundings make us feel completely in tune with nature, even though skyscrapers are just a few steps away. It’s our little sanctuary, where the pace slows down and the city feels a world away.





Grey Herons are quite common in Korea, and Cheonggyecheon stream is actually a great spot to see them, especially at night when they quietly stand by the water waiting to catch fish. Their long neck, tall legs, and pointed beak make them easy to recognize.

Another selfie with the beautiful Dongdaemun Gate in the background.