Seoul is broadly divided into two halves by the Han River. South of the river is Gangnam, which actually means “South of the river”. This swanky neighbourhood attracts many visitors. For those who are wondering what to do in Gangnam, there are many top sights and things to do.
Orientating to Gangnam
Gangnam is a specific district south of the river. However, very often, you will find it is used to refer to broader area south of the Han river. It can be sectioned up into various dong or neighbourhoods.
Cheongdam-dong is what comes to most people’s minds when Gangnam is mentioned. It is an affluent neighbourhood associated with fancy cars and celebrities.
Nonhyeong-dong is where you will find corporate office as well as residences, restaurants and bars.
Sinsa-dong has the reputation of being the center of plastic surgery clinics.
Samseong-dong is another affluent neighbourhood with expensive shopping malls and hotels, the most prominent one being the Starfield COEX Mall.
Seocho-gu is actually in another district but enjoys a spillover of glamour from the Gangnam district.
What to Do in Gangnam, South Korea
Gangnam Station
This is Seoul’s busiest subway station. But more than just a transitory space, it also has a large underground shopping mall where you can find clothing and accessories. Just out of Exit 9 & 10, you will find the major Gangnam shopping street with all the big brands lining the road. The area is also where you can find plenty of night life when the sun goes down.
K Star Road
Many of the major K-pop record labels are located in Gangnam. But even if you can’t get in to see your favorite K-pop group, you can still head to K Star Road where there are cute statues in tribute to many of the popular groups. You can pose beside the cute characters for photos. Think of it like Hollywood stars but with a more cutesy vibe to cater to young fans.
Seonjeongneung Tombs
An amazing thing about Seoul, South Korea is that you can find the ancient and the modern co-existing side by side. A case in point is the Seonjeongneung Tombs, which can be found in the middle of the urban sprawl of the city.
The royal tombs belong to King Seongjong, the 9th king of the Joseon Dynasty, Queen Jeonghyeon, his second wife, and King Jungjong, one of their sons. The oldest of the tombs date back to 1495 and is UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a serene place to visit that feels a world apart from the bustle of the office blocks in the distance.
Gangnam Style Statue
If you pay a visit to Gangnam, you need to take a picture in front of the statue dedicated to South Korean star PSY. He put Gangnam on the map with his galloping dance moves. Be sure to take a picture or a video of you doing the same in front of the statue. There’s no need to feel embarrassed, everyone does it!
Starfield COEX Mall
Starfield COEX Mall is located in the Samseong-dong in the Gangnam district. The huge mall fans out underground and includes an aquarium as well as cinemas. There are also plenty of shops and entertainment areas like a VR Zone. The mall is also linked to the COEX convention center.
You may also be interest to read about the comparison between Starfield COEX Mall and Lotte World Mall.
Starfield Library
Many will also find their way to the futuristic looking Starfield Library that has found its way into everyone’s social media feed.
Find out more about the Starfield COEX Library.
SMTown COEX Artium
Head outdoors to the front of the SMTown COEX Artium to view the largest LED screen in South Korea. It has curved edges and also shows cool video installations from time to time.
COEX Aquarium
The COEX Aquarium is filled with aquatic life from Korea and all over the world. Besides fish, you can also view penguins at the large aquarium.
Seoul Olympic Park
This large park in Gangnam is the legacy of Seoul’s hosting of the 1988 Summer Olympics. The Seoul Olympic Park has been turned into a wide verdant ground that anyone can enjoy and also has several distinctive sculptures and landmarks such as the World Peace Gate and the Thumb sculpture.
Yangjae Flower Market
The Yangjae Flower Market is a unique place to visit and has four greenhouses filled with flowers. The colorful rows and rows of plants and flowers are a unique sight to behold. Don’t forget about the smells too. It is a massive gardening center that green fingers will enjoy visiting.
Yangjaecheon Walk
For a bit of the outdoors and nature, take a walk along the Yangjae stream or yangjaecheon. The walk will take you through Gangnam before connecting to the Han River.
There are also many cafes in the Gangnam area. If you enjoyed this story, you may also be interested to find out about these interesting Seoul facts about South Korea’s capital.
