Seoul's busiest shopping district, street food and the walk up to Namsan.
Myeongdong station on Line 4 drops you straight into Seoul's best-known shopping district: K-beauty flagships, fashion chains, money changers and, from late afternoon, rows of street food stalls.
It is also the closest station to the Namsan cable car up to N Seoul Tower. If you are on Line 2, Euljiro 1-ga is the equivalent stop on the north side of the district.
Which exit to take
- Exit6Myeongdong shopping streetsThe main streets fan out north from the station. Busiest in the evening.
- Exit6Myeongdong street foodStalls fill the central street from late afternoon: egg bread, skewers, tornado potatoes.
- Exit3Namsan cable car to N Seoul TowerWalk uphill to the cable car station. Queues are long at sunset.
- FollowsignsMyeongdong CathedralA red-brick Gothic cathedral from 1898 at the north-east edge of the district.
- FollowsignsNamsangol Hanok VillageRestored traditional houses and gardens. Chungmuro station (Lines 3 and 4) is closer.
Exit numbers can change during station works. Check the yellow exit boards on the platform before you leave the gates.
Food nearby
Street food is the draw, but sit-down options are better value one block back from the main drag. Myeongdong Kyoja's kalguksu is a long-running favourite.
Good to know
- Line 4 runs one stop to Hoehyeon (Namdaemun Market) and two to Seoul Station.
- Money changers here usually beat airport rates.
Travel times
| To | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | ~15 min | Line 4 towards Chungmuro, then change at Chungmuro to Line 3 |
| Bukchon & Insadong | ~13 min | Line 4 towards Chungmuro, then change at Chungmuro to Line 3 |
| Seoul Station | ~3 min | Line 4 towards Hoehyeon |
| Hongdae | ~17 min | Line 4 towards Hoehyeon, then change at Seoul Station to AREX (airport) |
| Seongsu | ~21 min | Line 4 towards Chungmuro, then change at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park to Line 2 |
| Gangnam | ~32 min | Line 4 towards Chungmuro, then change at Chungmuro to Line 3, then change at Sinsa to Sinbundang |
| Jamsil / Lotte World | ~32 min | Line 4 towards Chungmuro, then change at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park to Line 2 |
Approximate, based on distance between stops plus about seven minutes per change. Add a few minutes for waiting.