Myeong-dong or Myong-dong is a dong in Jung-gu,
Seoul,
South Korea between Chungmu-ro, Eulji-ro, and
Namdaemun-ro. It covers 0.99 km2 with a population of 3,529 and is mostly a commercial area, being one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts. Myeongdong is one of Seoul’s main shopping districts featuring mid-to-high priced retail stores and international brand outlets, including Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Forever 21, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton and Nature Republic. It is a particularly popular area for young people and tourists as a center for fashion and sight-seeing. Several large shopping centers and department stores are in the district including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Migliore, M Plaza, and Noon Square. The floating population of Myeongdong is estimated to be around 2 million a day and in terms of floorspace rents, Myeongdong is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the
World. Many hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, and historical sites complete the diverse mixture of the area.
Other notable landmarks in Myeongdong include the Chinese Embassy, YWCA headquarters, UNESCO Hall, Myeongdong Theater, and the oldest Catholic cathedral in Korea,
Myeongdong Cathedral. Except for early morning and late night delivery hours, the main street and most of the alleys are blocked off for pedestrians to roam freely without being hindered by traffic. Myeongdong has been hosting a festival since 1982 to vitalize the commercial area and encourage tourism. The festival is usually held twice a year: from the end of March to the middle of April in spring, and the month of September in autumn. Parades, music and dance performances, fashion shows and other spectacles are part of the festivities. Many shops and stores offer product sales and discounts during this time as well.
