Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) at Night: 365 Light, Hours, Admission & Directions
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a cultural complex at 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Entry is free, and the building is open from 10:00 to 20:00. Since September 2026, a permanent media art show called DDP 365 Light has run every night near the Yugu Jeonsijang (유구전시장), an exhibition area for excavated remains in Eoullim Plaza (어울림광장). You can walk straight there from Exit 1 or 2 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4 and 5).
What Is Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)?
DDP was designed by the architect Zaha Hadid and is known for its flowing curves. You’ll struggle to find a straight line anywhere, inside or out. The building uses a mega-truss structure, so its large interior spaces need no walls or columns. The exterior is covered with 45,133 cladding panels, and no two of them are the same shape.
Exhibitions, events and educational programs run here all year, which makes DDP one of Seoul’s main hubs for design and culture. More than ten million people visit each year. You don’t pay to enter the building itself, but exhibitions and hands-on programs have separate fees.
The complex has several distinct spaces:
| Space | Notes |
|---|---|
| Alimteo (알림터) | — |
| Baeumteo (배움터) | — |
| Salimteo (살림터) | Closed on the third Monday of every month |
| DDP Design Museum | — |
| Design Market & Eoullim Plaza | DDP 365 Light plays near the Yugu Jeonsijang here |
| Dongdaemun History & Culture Park | — |
When to See Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) at Night: 365 Light, Seoul Light and the Sunset Tour
DDP 365 Light (Permanent Media Art)
DDP 365 Light started in September 2026 and plays every night near the Yugu Jeonsijang in Eoullim Plaza. Each show lasts about five minutes and starts on the hour and on the half hour. From November through February, the first show is at 18:00. Show times and the schedule may change, so check the DDP website before you go.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near the Yugu Jeonsijang, Eoullim Plaza |
| Runs | Every night (since September 2026) |
| Show length | About 5 minutes |
| Start times | On the hour and half hour |
| First show (Nov–Feb) | 18:00 |
Seoul Light DDP 2026 Winter
Seoul Light DDP 2026 Winter is scheduled to begin on December 17. A New Year’s countdown will take place on December 31. The end date and operating hours haven’t been announced yet. For questions, contact the Seoul Design Foundation (서울디자인재단) Content Operations Team at 02-2096-0055.
Sunset Tour (DDP Rooftop Tour)
This 90-minute tour takes you across DDP’s roof as the sun goes down. It runs every Friday and Saturday from October 16 to November 21. In November, tours run from 16:00 to 17:30. Friday tours include a singer-songwriter performance and a flute performance, and Saturday tours include singing bowl meditation. Guides speak Korean and English at the same time, so the tour works well for international visitors.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 16–November 21, Fridays & Saturdays |
| Time (November) | 16:00–17:30 (90 minutes) |
| Price | 50,000 KRW (~$38 USD) per person |
| Booking | DDP website |
| Walk-ins | From 20 minutes before the tour, if spots remain |
| Language | Korean and English, simultaneously |
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Hours, Admission and Closing Days
The building is open from 10:00 to 20:00. Each space keeps its own hours, and some change their hours depending on the program, so check the website for details.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00–20:00 (varies by space) |
| Closed | January 1, Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) day, Chuseok (Korean harvest festival) day |
| Salimteo closed | Third Monday of every month |
| Admission | Free (exhibitions and hands-on programs are paid) |
| Sunset tour | 50,000 KRW (~$38 USD) per person |
| Address | 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 을지로 281) |
| Information center | 02-2153-0000 |
| Parking information | 02-2153-0141 |
| Website | https://ddp.or.kr/ |
How to Get to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): Subway, Bus and Parking
Subway
The nearest station is Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4 and 5). Take Exit 1 or 2. Paying with a transit card is cheaper than buying a single-journey ticket.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Station | Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, 5) |
| Exits | Exit 1, Exit 2 |
| Base fare (transit card) | 1,550 KRW (~$1.20 USD) |
| Base fare (single-journey ticket) | 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) |
※ These are the base fares for the Seoul metropolitan subway that took effect on June 28, 2025.
Bus
Get off at either the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원) stop or the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자) stop.
Parking
DDP has a parking lot, but parking fees haven’t been confirmed by official sources. For rates, call the parking information line at 02-2153-0141.
We couldn’t confirm routes from Incheon International Airport or Seoul Station, or taxi fares, so they aren’t included here. Before you set out, search for “Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station” in a map app to plan your route.
Tips for Visiting Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
- Plan around 365 Light. Each show lasts about five minutes and starts on the hour and half hour. From November to February, the first show is at 18:00.
- Take the subway. Exits 1 and 2 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station lead straight to DDP, and official parking fees haven’t been confirmed.
- Check the closing days. DDP is closed on January 1, Seollal day and Chuseok day. Salimteo also closes on the third Monday of every month.
- Book the sunset tour early. It only runs on Fridays and Saturdays until November 21. Any remaining spots open to walk-ins 20 minutes before the start, and the tour is guided in English as well as Korean.
- Keep the winter dates in mind. Seoul Light DDP 2026 Winter begins on December 17, with a New Year’s countdown on December 31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission to DDP free?
Yes, entering the building is free. Exhibitions and hands-on programs cost extra, though. The sunset tour, for example, is 50,000 KRW (~$38 USD) per person.
What are DDP’s opening hours and closing days?
DDP is open from 10:00 to 20:00 and closes on January 1, Seollal day and Chuseok day. Salimteo also closes on the third Monday of every month. Hours vary by space, so check the website (https://ddp.or.kr/) before you visit.
What time can I see DDP 365 Light?
Shows start every night on the hour and on the half hour, and each one lasts about five minutes. From November to February, the first show is at 18:00. You’ll find it near the Yugu Jeonsijang in Eoullim Plaza. Show times and the schedule may change.
When is Seoul Light DDP 2026 Winter?
It’s scheduled to begin on December 17. A New Year’s countdown takes place on December 31, and the end date and operating hours haven’t been announced yet. For questions, contact the Seoul Design Foundation Content Operations Team at 02-2096-0055.
Can I park at DDP, and how much does parking cost?
There is a parking lot, but parking fees haven’t been confirmed by official sources. Call the parking information line at 02-2153-0141 to ask.
Which exit of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station goes to DDP?
Use Exit 1 or Exit 2. The station is served by Lines 2, 4 and 5, and the base fare with a transit card is 1,550 KRW (~$1.20 USD).
Is the sunset tour available in English?
Yes, guides speak Korean and English at the same time. The tour runs every Friday and Saturday from October 16 to November 21, and you can book on the DDP website.
Can I pay for the subway in cash?
Yes, you can buy a single-journey ticket. The base fare for a single-journey ticket is 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD), and a transit card is cheaper at 1,550 KRW (~$1.20 USD).
