Dongdaemun DDP Night Owl Trip

As night falls the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) transforms into a glowing silver spaceship landed in the middle of Seouls neon-lit fashion district. Designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid this structure is a marvel of fluid curves and neofuturistic design featuring over 45,000 unique aluminum panels. The site once home to the historic Dongdaemun Stadium has been reborn as a hub for creativity art and fashion. It is a place where history meets the future and it serves as the centerpiece for the biannual Seoul Fashion Week. The best way to experience DDP is to wait until the sun goes down. The building often serves as a massive canvas for digital art displays known as media facades which illuminate the entire plaza. Surrounding the DDP are numerous giant shopping malls like Doota and Migliore which stay open until the early hours of the morning offering a shopping experience unlike anywhere else in the world. To fully appreciate the architecture and the atmosphere I suggest visiting after 7:00 PM. While some indoor exhibitions require tickets wandering through the outdoor parks and ramps is free of charge. If you are lucky enough to visit during the Bamdokkaebi Night Market season you can enjoy various food trucks and handmade crafts in the shadow of this architectural masterpiece. The plaza is directly connected to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Subway Lines 2 4 and 5) making it incredibly easy to get to. For those planning to dive into the late-night markets a budget of around 50,000 KRW and a pair of comfortable shoes are recommended. DDP is the perfect place to feel the pulse of a city that truly never sleeps.