"Gangnam" means "south of the river", and for most visitors it means one thing: the song. But the district is far more than a punchline. It's Seoul's modern business and shopping centre, with some of the city's most striking spaces — and a thousand-year-old temple sitting right in the middle of it.
COEX and the Starfield Library
COEX is a huge convention centre and underground mall at Samseong Station. Its most famous space is the Starfield Library — an open, public library in the middle of the mall, with towering bookshelves reaching up toward the ceiling. It's free, and one of the most photographed interiors in Seoul.
Also in COEX:
- COEX Aquarium — good for families and rainy days
- Hundreds of shops and restaurants in the underground mall
- Easy subway access — Samseong (Line 2) and Bongeunsa (Line 9) stations connect directly
Bongeunsa Temple
Directly across the road from COEX, Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple whose origins go back to the late 8th century. Walk through its gates and the traffic noise fades: wooden halls, a giant standing Maitreya Buddha statue, and skyscrapers peeking over the trees.
- Free to enter, open daily
- Templestay programs let visitors join short temple experiences — meditation, a tea ceremony, lantern making — book in advance
- Beautiful with lanterns around Buddha's Birthday in spring
Please be respectful: speak quietly, don't walk through the centre of prayer halls, and ask before photographing people praying.
Shopping streets
- Garosu-gil (Sinsa) — a tree-lined street of boutiques, cafés and K-beauty stores, with quieter side streets ("Serosu-gil") worth exploring
- Apgujeong Rodeo Street — upscale fashion, cafés and the famous K-pop bears of K-Star Road (K-pop guide)
- Cheongdam — luxury flagships and high-end restaurants
- Gangnam Station — busy underground shopping arcades and big chain stores; one of the busiest areas in Seoul for young locals
Royal tombs in the city
Near Seolleung Station, Seolleung and Jeongneung are royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. The grassy burial mounds sit in a quiet wooded park surrounded by office towers — a peaceful hour away from the crowds.
Jamsil: Lotte World Tower and Seokchon Lake
A few stops east on Line 2, Jamsil is home to Lotte World Tower — one of the tallest buildings in the world — with the Seoul Sky observation deck near the top. At its feet, Seokchon Lake has a walking loop, and next door is Lotte World.
Sunset from Seoul Sky, then a walk around the lake as the tower lights up, is a great end to a Gangnam day.
A Gangnam day
- 10:00 — COEX and the Starfield Library
- 11:00 — Bongeunsa Temple
- 12:30 — lunch in COEX or nearby
- 14:00 — Garosu-gil or Apgujeong (taxi or subway)
- 17:00 — Lotte World Tower: Seoul Sky for sunset
- 19:00 — Seokchon Lake walk and dinner in Jamsil
It's day 2 of our 2-day cafés, shopping & trends plan — or build your own with the trip planner.
Getting around
- Line 2 connects Gangnam Station, Samseong (COEX) and Jamsil (Lotte World)
- Line 9 stops at Bongeunsa and Sinnonhyeon; its express trains are fast
- Gangnam is spread out — a short taxi between areas is often worth it (Kakao T)
Where to eat in Gangnam
Gangnam is expensive in places, but it's also full of office workers who need a good lunch:
- Lunch sets around Gangnam and Samseong stations offer excellent value on weekdays
- COEX's food courts are easy and varied, especially on a rainy day (rainy-day guide)
- Korean BBQ and late-night restaurants cluster around Gangnam Station (BBQ guide)
- Garosu-gil and Apgujeong are brunch and dessert territory — stylish, and pricier
Gangnam at night
After dark, the area around Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon fills with restaurants, bars and karaoke rooms, and Cheongdam and Apgujeong have upscale clubs and cocktail bars. It's glossier and more expensive than Hongdae, with a smarter dress code at many clubs. The subway stops around midnight, so plan your ride home.
K-beauty and skin clinics
Gangnam — especially the area around Sinsa and Apgujeong — is the centre of Korea's cosmetic and dermatology industry. Many foreign visitors book facials or skin treatments here. Choose licensed clinics with clear prices and good recent reviews, and avoid heavy treatments right before a flight (more in our Myeongdong guide). For shopping, big Olive Young branches around Gangnam Station stock the full K-beauty range.
Getting to Gangnam from the airport
Airport limousine buses run directly to many Gangnam and Jamsil hotels, which is usually easier than the train with luggage. By rail, take the AREX to Seoul Station or Gimpo Airport and change to the subway (airport guide).
Our honest take
Gangnam won't give you old Seoul, but it shows the modern city at its most polished — and Starfield Library and Bongeunsa together are a genuinely memorable combination.
Go if:
- You want modern architecture, shopping and cafés
- You're staying south of the river
- It's a rainy day — much of it is indoors and connected underground
Skip if:
- You're short on time and prefer historic neighbourhoods
- You're on a tight budget — many shops and restaurants here are pricier
Our tip: combine COEX, Bongeunsa and Lotte World Tower in one day on Line 2 — you'll see Gangnam's best side without spending hours in traffic.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Starfield Library free?
Yes. It's a public space inside the COEX mall.
Can I visit Bongeunsa if I'm not Buddhist?
Yes. Everyone is welcome — just be quiet and respectful around the halls.
Is Gangnam worth staying in?
It's great for nightlife, shopping and business travel. For first-timers focused on palaces and markets, Myeongdong or Jongno is more central.
How do I get from Gangnam to Myeongdong?
By subway in about 30–40 minutes, usually with one transfer.
Is Gangnam safe at night?
Yes. It's busy late into the night, well lit and full of people. Normal big-city precautions apply.
