This is a summary of places worth visiting in the Gangnam-gu area of Seoul.
Samsung Sunrise Park in Gangnam, Seoul
“This is a park located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Originally planned for closure, the upper part of the sewage tank, which was originally a facility to supply raw water, was transformed into a park and opened to the public in 2022. Every year, a New Year’s sunrise festival is held on January 1st. Situated on the hill by the Han River, Samseong Sunrise Park offers a panoramic view of Seoul’s landmarks such as Lotte Tower, Jamsil Sports Complex, Olympic Highway, and Cheongdam Bridge, showcasing the diverse beauty of the Han River. The sunrise seen from the park is considered one of the best views you can experience.”
• Address (location): “82 Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Gangnam District ‘Neungin Seonwon’
Situated beneath Mt. Guryong, Neungin Seowon was established on the principles of wisdom and compassion taught by Buddha, with a focus on cultivating Buddhist scholars, promoting education, and enhancing social welfare. Consistently emphasizing Buddhist education and nurturing scholars, Neungin Seowon has now become the premier educational temple in South Korea. The name “Neungin” means “one who enlightens and benefits others,” another title for the Buddha. Neungin Seowon advocates for a practical approach to Buddhism, emphasizing the integration of prayer into daily life, fostering community gatherings, and engaging in various volunteering activities to modernize Korean Buddhism. Through systematic Buddhist education, it aims to showcase the scientific and ethical aspects of Buddhism, nurturing outstanding practitioners to contribute to the revitalization of Buddhism.
• Address (location): 340 Yangjae-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City (Gaepo-dong)
“Seoul Gangnam District ‘Beomnyongsa’ Temple”
Located in Suseo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Beopryongsa is a modern building in the shape of a lotus flower, with 2 underground floors and 3 above ground. It serves as a place for educating Buddhist monks and followers nationwide on various aspects of Buddhism, such as practice, teachings, and social welfare. It also trains experts in various fields of society. Beopryongsa offers specialized education for home-staying practitioners through beginner classes (day and night) and basic classes (day and night). Additionally, the cultural center provides classes on temple cuisine, traditional painting, line dancing, Buddhist craft, embroidery, yoga, flower arranging, tea ceremony, and Buddhist painting, making it easily accessible and appealing to foreign tourists.
• Address (location): The travel destination address “56 Gwangpyeong-ro 31-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City (Suseo-dong)” can be translated into English as follows to make it easier for foreign tourists to understand.
• Hours of use: “Operating Hours: Open all day”
Seoul Gangnam District ‘Buddhist Temples Tour’
“The ‘Buddhist Chongji Sect’ is a form of everyday Buddhism that emphasizes ‘Buddhism in daily life, life in Buddhism,’ embodying the spirit of self-benefit and benefiting others in daily practice. The term ‘Chongji’ in ‘Buddhist Chongji Sect’ is a combination of ‘Chongji’ and ‘Jido,’ meaning ‘guidance’ and ‘instruction,’ conveying the essence of ‘the teachings.’ In this sect, the central altar is dedicated to the Six-syllable Mantra of Avalokitesvara (Om Mani Padme Hum), with images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas on the sides. This sect aims to make Buddhism accessible and relevant to everyday life. (Source: Buddhist Chongji Sect)”
• Address (location): The address of the travel destination “35, Dogok-ro 25-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Yeoksam-dong)” can be translated into English as follows for foreign tourists to easily understand.
• Hours of use: The operating hours for the tourist attraction are “09:00~18:00.”
Seoul Gangnam District ‘Bulguksa’
“Bulguksa Temple, located on Daemosan Mountain in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is a historic temple affiliated with Korean Buddhism’s Taego Order. It was founded by the monk Jinjeungguksa in the second year of King Gongmin’s reign in Goryeo (1385). Originally named Yaksajeol, the temple was called so because a farmer from the village below the temple found a stone Buddha while plowing his field, and later the monk Jinjeungguksa built a temple at its current location to enshrine the Buddha, hence the name Yaksajeol. Later, during the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong bestowed the temple with the name Bulguksa, meaning ‘Temple of the Land of Buddha,’ and after being destroyed during the Korean War, only the stone Buddha statue remained until the temple was reconstructed in 1964. The stone Buddha statue at Yaksajeon in Bulguksa was designated as Seoul Metropolitan City Cultural Asset No. 36 in 2007. You can visit Bulguksa Temple while walking along Course 4 of the Seoul Dulle-gil, in the Daemosan section.”
• Address (location): The address of the tourist destination “30-71, Gwangpyeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City” can be translated into English for foreign tourists to easily understand.
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Gangnam District ‘Yeoksam Cathedral’
“Established on August 1, 1984, in the vibrant Gangnam district, Yangjae-dong Parish was split from the jurisdiction of the Daechi-dong Parish, honoring the inaugural priest Kim Gu-hee (Father John). They chose Saint Choi Kyunghwan (Francisco) as the patron saint and began preparing for a new church building while using a temporary structure. Construction of the new church on a site donated by the congregant Kim Dae-hwan began on December 25, 1992. In just 5 years, a magnificent and grand church with a floor area of 3,960 square meters was completed at a construction cost of approximately 12 billion won. On September 21, 1997, a dedication ceremony for the new church was held, presided over by Archbishop Kim Su-hwan. (First-half wedding mass reservations accepted online on a first-come, first-served basis)”
• Address (location): “23-11 Eonju-ro 85-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City (Yeoksam-dong)”
• Hours of use: Operating Hours for Tourist Destinations ”
– Monday 06:00 / 10:00
– Tuesday 06:00 / 10:00 / 19:00
– Wednesday 06:00 / 10:00 / 19:00
– Thursday 06:00 / 10:00 / 19:00
– Friday 06:00 / 10:00 / 19:00
– Saturday 06:00 / 19:00
– Sunday 06:30 / 09:00 / 10:00 / 11:00 / 16:00 / 18:00
※ For more details, please refer to the website”
Seoul Gangnam-gu ‘Gangnam MICE Tourist Zone’
“Located in Gangnam’s Samseong-dong, a bustling hub of international exchange with a history as a trading center, this area has long served as a gateway for showcasing Korea to top-notch global business figures. Since the 1990s, the youthful energy of Gangnam has infused the business district, transforming it into a dynamic blend of commerce and youthful culture. Designated as Gangnam MICE Tourism District in 2014 to enhance the synergy between international business exchange and Hallyu culture, this area is centered around COEX, hosting exhibitions, conventions, seminars, international expos, and conferences. With department stores, hotels, duty-free shops, and a city airport terminal seamlessly integrated, the district attracts not only domestic visitors but a constant stream of foreign tourists. A Korean version of Times Square, Gangnam MICE Tourism District offers state-of-the-art displays showcasing holograms and augmented reality, along with vibrant media art and advertisements on giant LED screens adorning building facades.”
• Address (location): “513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Samsung-dong)”
“Seoul Gangnam District ‘Daechi Water Sports Park'”
“This sports park is designed to promote physical fitness and active living for local residents by providing various sports facilities and equipment, walking paths, resting areas, musical fountains, and symbolic sculptures. The park offers facilities such as soccer fields, tennis courts, and futsal courts that can be reserved in advance up to one day before use on a first-come, first-served basis. Same-day reservations are not available, and priority is given to local residents.”
• Address (location): The address of the travel destination “43, Yeoksam-ro 90-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Daechi-dong)” can be translated into English as follows for foreign tourists to easily understand.
• Hours of use: The operating hours for the tourist destination are “07:00~21:00.”
Seoul Gangnam District ‘Yeoksam Gaenari Park’
“Located near exit 3 of Yeoksam Station, this urban neighborhood park offers a playground for children, exercise equipment for all ages, gazebos, and benches for relaxation. It is a popular spot for nearby office workers to take a stroll or a break during lunchtime. Designated as a smoke-free and alcohol-free park by Gangnam-gu Health Center.”
• Address (location): The address of the travel destination “24 Nonhyeon-ro 79-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City (Yeoksam-dong)” can be translated into English as follows to make it easier for foreign tourists to understand.
• Hours of use: all day
Seoul Gangnam-gu ‘Irwon Ecopark’
Located in the Ilwon-dong area of Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ilwon Ecopark is a neighborhood park that was newly opened in 2017 by transforming the Tancheon Water Regeneration Center. Hosting various eco-friendly festivals, this park is known for its pleasant environment thanks to the active participation of local residents. Ilwon Ecopark features shelters, botanical gardens, a butterfly garden, and exercise spaces, all designed to ensure that everyone in the community can enjoy and be satisfied.
• Address (location): “4-12 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “24-hour operation”