Dongdaemun After Dark!

Unlike Myeongdong, Seoul's Dongdaemun doesn't have congested alleys and excessive, glistening lights. 

And unlike Myeongdong, Dongdaemun is not just about shopping. It's also about sightseeing. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) alone has a lot of interesting corners. Even standing in front of the DDP is a breather enough for any tourist who just wanted some space, which Myeongdong couldn't provide.

In Myeongdong, the only time when you can actually have the narrow alleys to yourself is early in the morning. Because starting noon time, the food carts compete with shoppers and tourists for space.

Around Dongdaemun though, you need not worry about elbowing any fellow shoppers. You just need to worry about how low you want to haggle when you're shopping!

After you're done shopping and stretching your wallet, maybe you can stretch your legs some more by walking around the Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Last year, the DDP installed 20,000 flowers with LED lights that looked amazingly spectacular both at night and day. But this year, they relocated those lights to the other side of DDP and added more! 

Scattered over a few strips of greenery are 25,550 white and lighted roses, which attract tourists, shoppers and passers-by during the day and night!  Anyone passing by is mesmerized by these installations like a hypnotic '50%-off' price tag!

According to DDP, the number 25,550 is to commemorate the 70th year of Korean Independence. Multiplying 70 years by 365 days, you'd get 25,550. Do the math! And selfie!

Yes, almost everyone does a selfie with the flowers.

These flowers are scattered at the back side of the DDP near the Maxstyle Building. Along the inclined architecture of DDP, the flowers cascade like a stream of lights attracting more visitors to this interesting exterior of the DDP.

During these cool nights, you shouldn't bother looking up the Seoul skies. You'll never see twinkling stars up there with all the bright lights in the city. You just need to go to Dongdaemun and see flowers turning into a galaxy of lights, so many you won't even try to count until 25,550! The counting you will ever do is for your shopping bags and the number of selfies you wanted with these flowers.

By the way, the installation is only until February 2016.

From Exit 1 of the Dongdaemun Culture and History Park Station, just walk towards the back of the DDP. Eventually, you'll end up walking with the stars.

You want to enjoy more of Dongdaemun after dark? This is where you should go to after your shopping!