futuristic dongdaemun design plaza:
Explore the modern designs above and ancient structures underneath...

dongdaemun-design-plazaA view of DDP by night

dongdaemun design plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza or DDP is the latest and conspicuous structure established at the heart of Seoul, South Korea’s bustling capital city.

The sci-fi-spaceship-like design caught my imagination. Love it! That’s because it is not commonplace to see such design amid box-shaped buildings the dominate the whole landscape of South Korea.

This futuristic structure was built on top of the former Dongdaemun Stadium. It is capturing the attention of both domestic and international travelers due not only to its impressive design but also its facilities and accommodating atmosphere.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza has been named as a top destination to see in Seoul by renowned international magazines. New York Times listed DDP as top 52 places to visit in 2015.

The plaza’s design also captivated the movie industries’ creativity by filming a number of Korean soap operas including the SBS drama “You Who Came from the Stars,” the KBS2 “Producer,” and MBC’s “She Was Pretty.”

Design and art Functions

Dongdaemun Design Plaza was designed by the world-famous architect Zara Hadid. Hadid is known to be an artist full of unconventional and eccentric structures including libraries and museums.

Due to her rich and articulated designs, although many people (such as government officials) love to have her designs materialized, many would not push through because it is quite costly.

This new and iconic landmark of the Korean design industry will serve as the center of design culture in the city. It functions as a venue for varied events and activities including design shows, conferences, exhibitions, and related gatherings and programmes.

What To See & Do at DDP

This enormous structure is designed to house five halls:

  • Art Hall
  • Museums
  • Design Lab,
  • Design Market
  • Dongdaemun History & Culture Park


Beside those design-related venues, you will enjoy eating, drinking, and exploring DDP’s coffee shops, cafes, food stalls, and shops.

By the way, if you want to see more relaxing and entertaining places, you can find many of them around the plaza.

Let’s check out more details…

Art Hall
The Art Hall serves as the main area the showcases the Korean design and creative industry. This hall serves as the venue for local and international conventions, exhibitions, fashion shows, trade shows, concerts, and musical performances.

Museum Hall
The hall functions as the gatherer of Korean designs and recent international trends of designs and creative products.

Museum Hall is composed of five spaces: Design Playground, Design Dulle-gil (trail), Design Museum, Design Exhibition Hall, and Design Rest Area. These are the places that attract visitors with inquisitive and artistic minds.

Design Lab
This laboratory functions as the experimental space for creative minds. It is where newbies, both Korean and international, discover and develop their designs and products.

In other words, the Design Lab can incubate ones creative mind and can rise and achieve his/her dreams.

Design Market
This area is a multi-purpose venue that offers varied opportunities among visitors. This market, which is open 24 hours daily, serves as a cultural, experiential, and shopping area.

Visitors of Dongdaemun Market will find Design Market is a convenient place to shop artistic products as well.

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park
This historical and cultural park is on top of relics from the Joseon Dynasty. Most of these artifacts were recently uncovered (2008) as the place was being prepared for the new Design Plaza building.

Through archaeological surveys, they found that there was a City Wall and two-arch floodgate underneath the former Dongdaemun Stadium.

Among other traces and artifacts uncovered and traced back to different periods in Joseon dynasty were capital defense offices, annexed facilities, cisterns, weaponry, gunpowder, military training camp, and building structures.

See more here (soon).

LED Flowers
One of the most attractive sights within the area of Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the Ten Thousand light-emitting-diode flowers. By day, these flowers look very simple. They are white.

However, as the darkness comes, the enlighten and enliven their garden capturing people of various ages. Of course, it is an excellent place for selfies and group photography. Yes, I’ve been there and done that! ^^

Now, if you are feeling excited to see DDP and its interesting surrounding area, let’s see how you can get there.

dongdaemun-design-plaza-led-flowersLED (light emitting diodes) Flowers at Dongdaemun

getting to Dongdaemun design plaza

Here is how…

Address: 04566  281 Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Euljiro 7-ga) 
It would be more convenient and quicker if you use your smartphone’s navigator to locate the area. I presume you have one (or two). Who doesn’t have one!

Right, when you are already in Seoul, or still coming to Seoul, know that DDP is very much accessible by public transports.

Subway:
You can take any of Seoul Metro Subway Lines depending on your point of origin. See the subway lines below…

Line 4 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Exits 1, 2
Line 5 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Exits 1, 2
Line 2 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Exits 1, 2

Buses:
Yes, you can quickly come to this attraction via bus. You need to get off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station if this is your destination. Anyways, you can also just walk to DDP within a few minutes.

Bus Nos: 105, 144, 261, 301, 407, 420, 2014, 2233, 7212.

nearby attractions

The following places and destinations are only examples. You can be the trailblazer to visitors who haven't yet discovered areas worth exploring. Here are some of them...

seoul-city-wallSeoul City Wall near Design Plaza
  • Seoul City Wall & Museum
  • Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun Gate)
  • Dongdaemun Market
  • Cheonggyechon Stream
  • Hotels & Restaurants
  • Parks
  • Street Shops


Hope you enjoyed reading through this page!
Always have a fantastic journey!

Return to Seoul Attractions Page from Dongdaemun Design Plaza
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