Seoul is South Korea’s best place for shopping- it has lots of department stores, shopping arcades, and street markets where you can buy anything from designer clothing, leatherwear and electronics to traditional handicrafts like lacquerware, silks, embroidered fabrics, jewellery, ceramics, brassware and antiques. Seoul’s main shopping district is Myongdong with a network of underground shopping arcades. Major department stores include Lotte, Midopa, Hyundai, Sampoong and Dongbang Plaza. For art and antiques, you could pay a visit to Insadong (also called `Mary’s Alley’), and silks are best at East Gate Market.

Bargaining is generally acceptable in smaller shops and street markets, but don’t attempt it in the department stores- that would be a faux pas indeed.