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Built in the year 1398 and having undergone a major restoration in 1447 and again in 1997, Namdaemun (Great South Gate), Seoul is a historical area in this city. This gate is one of the 4 main gates of the old city wall and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Korea. Positioned near the current center of downtown Seoul, amidst traffic and skyscrapers, this South Gate has been designated as National Treasure. Namdaemun (Great South Gate), Seoul is positioned near the downtown area, one of Korea's largest wholesale markets covering an area of over 10 acres. From here walking distance are Seoul Station, Deoksu Palace, and City Hall. This historical area is filled with vibrations of life consisted of over 1,000 shops, stalls, retailers, street vendors, and several nearby department stores. Visiting here tourists would get a wide range of clothes, shoes, fabrics, tableware, flowers, vegetables, ginseng products, toys, and watches. That's why you can get back home with something for your near and dear ones from this market. Besides, there is also an extensive underground arcade. What will attract you is the group of street vendors with wholesalers operating from midnight to 6:00 a.m., and retailers from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. dotted in the alleys and walkways between the buildings. This is counted as the most colorful aspect of the market. The cause behind the huge gatherings at Namdaemun (Great South Gate), Seoul is nothing but the convenient bus service to and from Itaewon. Since most of the hawkers can hardly communicate in English or Japanese, you will usually need an interpreter for any intense negotiation. Moreover, since several shops are eager to receive non-Korean currency, there is also a thriving black market for money exchanging, with rates generally a little better than those of banks.
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