2 Best Places to Shop in Seoul, South Korea

The flagship branch of Korea's largest chain of bookstores, Kyobo has an excellent selection of English language books as well as a decent selection of stationery, international magazines, and electronic goods. With lots of little nooks for reading and plenty of space to hide away, it's a great place to go if you're looking to kill a few hours. The bookstore also hosts book signings and author talks throughout the year.

While the items here may not be as unique compared to Insa-dong's many specialty shops, the National Souvenir Center is a good one-stop solution. Here you'll find a number of shops, each focusing on a traditional type of craft; the items are all authentic and (generally) of high quality. Their selection of jewelry boxes, table linens, and vases are easy choices for anyone having a hard time deciding what to buy.