A recent survey found Thursday that Chinese travelers pick the Dongdaemun area as their favorite shopping destination in Seoul, while Japanese prefer Namdaemun traditional market.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry surveyed 200 Chinese and Japanese travelers here on their shopping preferences while in Korea.

The business lobby said that their favorite shopping areas also determined which the items they purchased.

Chinese people, due to the Korean Wave in their country, favored the latest fashion and beauty items sold in the Dongdaemun shopping area of northern Seoul.

Meanwhile, many Japanese liked to buy dried fish items or seasoned laver at the Namdaemun market, central Seoul, or traditional souvenirs in Insa-dong, northern Seoul.

When they choose a product, Chinese tourists said they consider price and product quality first, while the Japanese said they prefer items unique to Korea as well as the prices.

Despite the growing popularity of traditional markets here, people from both countries picked duty free shops and department stores in downtown areas as their favorite shopping venues.

“The recent popularity of designer goods in China and the super-strong Japanese yen are driving the sales of high-products in Korea among Japanese and Chinese travelers,” said a KCCI official.

Most of the responding travelers also said that the prices of luxury items in Korea are cheaper than those in their home countries.

When asked if they would visit Korea again for shopping within three years, almost 70 percent of Chinese and Japanese travelers responded in the affirmative.

In order to improve the nation’s shopping environment, they cited more diverse products, followed by other tourist attractions, language problems and customer service.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)