[Cultural Excursion] 'Fortress Amid Markets: Exploring East (and West) of Dongdaemun'

Sat Oct 11 2025 at 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm UTC+09:00

Sinseol-dong Station | Seoul

Royal Asiatic Society Korea
Publisher/HostRoyal Asiatic Society Korea
[Cultural Excursion] 'Fortress Amid Markets: Exploring East (and West) of Dongdaemun'
Advertisement

TITLE:
'Fortress Amid Markets: Exploring East (and West) of Dongdaemun'
LEADER: Matt VanVolkenburg
DATE: Saturday. October 11, 2025. 2:00-5:00PM
DESTINATION: Dongdaemun area
COST: W25,000 for RAS Korea Lifetime and Annual Members; W30,000 for Non-members
MEETING POINT: At the top of Exit 10 of Sinseol-dong Station (신설동역) #126 (Subway Line No. 1) and # 211-4 (Line No. 2 spur line) at 2:00PM.
RSVP by October 9 (Thursday) with payment of the fee via bank transfer. Please register one RSVP at a time.
RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/vEsZX8qR8AWDYMAj6
☞ Payment to be remitted to the following account:
SHINHAN BANK ACCOUNT # 100-026-383501 (RAS-KB)
*Reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received by RAS Korea in advance of the event.

SUMMARY:
The area between Sinseol-dong and Jongno 5-ga, through which remnants of the Seoul fortress wall and its gates run, is peppered with a variety of markets and vanished pieces of urban infrastructure. In addition to Dongdaemun Market, DDP, and the Dongmyo Flea Market, there are also markets dedicated to toys, shoes, and pet birds and fish, and in the area around the Seoul Flea Market almost anything you can think of – from tools and audio and video cassettes to old electronics, LPs and antiques – is available for sale. Various alleys also focus on certain foods, such as grilled mackerel or chicken.
This walk will explore these markets, examine the history of the eastern part of Seoul’s fortress wall, and tell stories of a vanished railway and elevated highway, as well as other long-gone prominent landmarks. We will also consider the history of the Peace Market, where clothing was made in sweatshop conditions, and visit a memorial to labor martyr Jeon Tae-il.
Leaving from Sinseol-dong Station, we will visit the Seoul Flea Market, the Dongmyo Flea Market, the Dongmyo Shrine, the Samil Apartments, several food alleys, markets dedicated to pets, toys, and shoes, Dongdaemun Market, the Dongdaemun Stadium Museum, Igansumun water gate, the Peace Market, the Chun Tae-il statue, Jongno Sinjin Market, Dongdaemun, and finish at the City Wall Museum.
This walking excursion will set off at 2:00 pm from the top of Exit 10 of Sinseol-dong Station (신설동역, Subway Line No. 1 and 2). The excursion will last until about 5:00 and end near Dongdaemun Station (Subway Lines 1 and 4). Participants may join Matt afterwards for a coffee or an early dinner (not included in the excursion fee) nearby. Though the walk is flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Sinseol-dong Station, Seoul, Korea, South

Discover more events by tags:

Flea in SeoulMeetups in SeoulBirds in Seoul

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Seoul

Suga min yoongi concert
Fri, 10 Oct at 03:00 pm Suga min yoongi concert

Seoul, Korea

Jazz at 4\u2b50Special Workshop
Fri, 10 Oct at 04:00 pm Jazz at 4⭐Special Workshop

방배동 빅애플

AF Ball
Fri, 10 Oct at 05:00 pm AF Ball

Dragon Hill Lodge

Alumni and Family Gathering in Seoul Korea
Sat, 11 Oct at 05:30 pm Alumni and Family Gathering in Seoul Korea

Center Mark Hotel

Broken Lullaby: Broadcast from Gwanak Culture Space
Sat, 11 Oct at 06:00 pm Broken Lullaby: Broadcast from Gwanak Culture Space

Gwanak Culture Space 관악문화스페이스

Our Night Just Started: Concert at Gwanak Culture Space
Sat, 11 Oct at 07:00 pm Our Night Just Started: Concert at Gwanak Culture Space

Gwanak Culture Space 관악문화스페이스

Global Bio & Pharma Plaza 2025
Wed, 15 Oct at 09:00 am Global Bio & Pharma Plaza 2025

Seoul, South Korea

Smart Energy Plus
Wed, 15 Oct at 10:00 am Smart Energy Plus

코엑스

The 13th Int\u2019l Advanced Materials & Convergence Technology Expo
Wed, 15 Oct at 10:00 am The 13th Int’l Advanced Materials & Convergence Technology Expo

Coex Convention & Exhibition Center

Seoul is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Seoul Events