Dongdaemun Design Plaza delights the senses

Although Seoul, South Korea, has ancient and historical sites and events that can delight, the modernistic, nearly space age Dongdaemun Design Plaza in the city’s bustling core shouldn’t be ignored.

Especially now that the LED Rose Garden exhibit has been extended to run through at least February 2016. More than 25,000 illuminated LED Roses fill the gardens and lawns of the Dongaemun History & Culture Park at the Design Plaza, so once the sun goes down and the lights go on, it’s a sensory explosion that can hardly be matched. The best part, of course, is that this is a Seoul experience that doesn’t cost a cent.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza LED Rose Garden photo opp

Take your camera and your tripod, forget the flash, and be prepared to wander and enjoy the breathtaking sea of artificial white roses lit brilliantly by LEDs. Move to various angles for full appreciation. Take an hour. Or even two. Since the lights stay on late, you can enjoy an evening out or dinner and cap off the evening with a stroll through the garden.

The Design Plaza LED Rose Garden was first lit in April 2015 (The plaza itself just opened in 2014), and we had the pleasure of a visit soon after that. Since it is such an attraction, be prepared for crowds. But everybody seemed so awestruck by the sight that there was only a polite and muted buzz so you really could just breathe and enjoy, feeling a world away from the craziness that can be Seoul.

Mix of old and new at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Besides the spaceship-like Design Plaza main building (which is said to be the world’s largest asymmetrical building), the site also houses part of the old Seoul fortress and wall, including a continuing excavation site with remains from the Joseon Dynasty that were all discovered during construction and thus incorporated into the site. There are of course other exhibits, art halls, history halls and design galleries with varying admission prices. There is also any number of events and free performances, as well as farmer’s markets and arts and crafts fairs. In fact, really, the plaza is a beehive of activity most any time, which can get especially crazy in March and October during Seoul Fashion Week.

Then there’s the shopping at the Design Plaza

Once you’ve had enough of the plaza itself and whatever event or show is going on, don’t forget what Seoul is practically most famous for – shopping. Shopping at all hours of the day and night. Shopping in elite boutiques and malls. Shopping along streets. Fabric, socks, toys, souvenirs, food, you name it. Just shop.

Across the street is the Dongdaemun Shopping Complex. There is the Dongdaemun Night Market  that is a hustle and bustle of late-night shopping and events. In fact, once you get to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, just look around and you’ll find both old and new Seoul shopping all around you. (Check current hours and possible closures before you visit any market.)