5 Best Places to Go Shopping in Gyeongju

Jungang Market is home to more than 700 shops dealing in everything from household goods to fabrics and food. It’s conveniently located in the centre of Gyeongju, and locals flock there to shop its wares and get bargain prices on produce at the morning wholesale action. Shoppers will find a wide range of offerings, including clothing, fresh meats and fish and specialty cooking oils. 

Stick around into the evening for the night market to snack on kimbap and fried chicken around communal tables. The market is famous for its someori gukbap, a well-seasoned ox head soup with rice.

Going strong since the 1970s, Seongdong Market is one of the older markets in the city and is located downtown in front of the old Gyeongju Station. The maze-like marketplace was recently given a facelift but remains traditional, reasonably priced and not at all touristy. Colourful signs line the halls and boxes filled with goods for sale spill out into the covered promenades.

300 vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood sourced from Gyeongju and the surrounding areas. Stop for lunch at the popular all-you-can-eat buffet, where you’ll be given a bowl of rice, soup and an empty plate to fill up from the homestyle spread.

Hwangnidangil Street is a shopper's paradise that blends old-world charm with modern flair. Preserved buildings from the 1960s and 70s coexist with new structures, making Hwangnidangil Street an essential stop for anyone looking to experience the city's cultural pulse. 

Just a short walk from the Gyeongju Station, this bustling street is adorned with charming cafes, unique boutiques and artisanal shops. Highlights include a variety of local crafts and keepsakes, from handmade pottery to traditional Korean garments. Amidst the shopping, don’t forget to try some local delicacies at the street food stalls scattered along the way and capture some Instagram-worthy photos.

For clothes shopping in central Gyeongju, head to the part of downtown between Taejmong-ro and Hwarang-ro. Fashion Street is the main attraction here, a vehicle-free thoroughfare lined with shops selling mostly womenswear and children’s clothing. There are also a number of bookstores, craft shops and art galleries in the area. 

Café hopping is a popular pastime in this district, which tends to attract a younger crowd. Sit down some spicy hotpot or try the city’s signature pastry, Hwangnam bread, often eaten for breakfast. 

The Gyeongju Folk Craft Village consists of around 40 hanok homes where local artisans produce traditional Korean arts and handicrafts. Many of these shops keep their studio doors open, which offers visitors the opportunity to see works in progress and get a glimpse of the process. 

Treasures to be found here include pottery, embroidery, jewellery and haniwa, clay figurines used in ancient burial rituals. Consider these handmade pieces as souvenirs straight from the source.