11 Best Sights in Gangnam, Seoul

Situated just north of COEX Mall, this beautiful Buddhist complex is an oasis of tranquility in the amped up concrete and steel environs of modern Gangnam. Built in 794, the temple is home to 3,479 Buddhist scriptures, making it much more than a tourist attraction in the heart of one of Seoul's most modern and hectic districts. Bongeunsa is also part of South Korea's temple stay program, so it's possible to sleep overnight and experience life from a monk's perspective. 

This sprawling complex is more than just a shopping destination: it's the mothership of trendsetting fashion, food, culture, and entertainment in Seoul. The largest underground mall in Asia, COEX is home to shops carrying national and international brands, as well as restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, plus a movie theater, an aquarium, and the Starfield Library, where you can browse through thousands of books or just relax under the skylight roof. It's a great place to lose yourself for a couple of hours, and when you feel like coming up for air, make sure to stroll along the grounds outside and check out the giant golden sculpture of Psy's hands as he does the "Gangnam Style" horse dance.

Both a much-welcomed swath of nature as well as one of the city's greatest historical treasures, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the burial mounds of two kings and one queen from Korea's Joseon era. King Seongjong—widely considered to be one of Korea's great leaders—is buried with his wife, Queen Jeonghyeon, in the park's west side, while the east side contains the tomb of King Jeongneung, their second son. While the history is impressive, the park also offers visitors a chance to unwind, exercise, and otherwise soak up fresh air in the midst of Gangnam's concrete jungle.

Though technically in neighboring Seocho District rather Gangnam proper, this large riverside park is close enough to warrant a visit. Lazily stroll along the river walk, check out the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (which, at 570 meters/1,870 feet long is the largest bridge fountain in the world), rent a bicycle, or picnic on the grass. In the warmer months (April through October) the park hosts the Bamdokkgaebi Moonlight Market every Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 11 pm. This popular event attracts people from all over the city to browse the artist's stalls and graze on food truck fare, featuring Korean classics such as tteokbokki (rice cakes in sweet spicy sauce), along with foreign favorites like tacos, hot dogs, and Cuban sandwiches. The trio of man-made floating islands known as Some Sebit are also not to be missed. Each features a building lit-up at night by multi-chromatic LED lights and are constructed to represent the three stages of the life of a flower. Inside you can find two restaurants, a cafe, and an outfit renting six-person "Tubester" boats.

Seoul is home to a number of entertainment companies, but Big Hit Entertainment is known as the outfit that launched the careers of global K-pop mega sensation BTS. While they've since moved into a brand new headquarters (the 19-story HYBE Building in Yongsan), this much more humble structure where it all started still stands. The building has become a pilgrimage point for diehard BTS fans known as ARMYs, where thousands have scribbled words of dedication to the group on the outside of the structure. 

Established in 1973, this cool little park is dedicated to the memory of Ahn Chang-ho (pen name "Dosan"), a key figure in Korea's independence movement against the Japanese occupation. The park contains his statue, as well as the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho Memorial Hall, a kind of mini-museum dedicated to the life and times of this man dear to the hearts of so many Koreans. The park is a perfect place to take a break from the bustle of the city while also reflecting on figures like Dosan who sacrificed it all to help pave the way for a prosperous and free Korea.

Sitting just two blocks behind Gangnam Station's Exit 10, this narrow concourse is home to scores of barbecue restaurants as well as pocha, the Korean drinking-establishments serving up side dishes known as anju. In the warmer months the outdoor patios are packed with a young crowd eating and drinking and living it up. The atmosphere is lively and infectious, and while you may have to wait for a table on the weekends, the opportunity to sit outside, nibble on grilled meat, and wash it all down with a bottle or two of soju should not be missed.

While the neighborhoods north of the Han River are home to most of the tourist sights in Seoul, the much newer areas to the south offer a glimpse of Seoul's trendier side. Easily the best place to see this would be Garosu-gil, Seoul's aptly named "Street of Trees." The number of trees lining this shady 700 meter-long (2,297 feet) street is challenged only by the number of its boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. While other neighborhoods in Gangnam are packed with international brands, Garosu-gil is still dominated by locally produced goods and cafes. While not necessarily the place for traditional souvenirs, Garosu-gil is a good stop for some relaxing boutique shopping and watching the world go by from one of its many cool cafés.

Featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, performances, and video projects by artists from both Korea and abroad, the museum emphasizes interaction between the audience and the artist, and the curators aren't afraid to put forth challenging and experimental work. Gangnam has grown into one of the country's creative hubs, and the K Museum of Contemporary Art is a great place to visit if you want to put your finger on the pulse of the currents informing and inspiring the modern Korean arts scene.

Located along the strip of high-end designer shops near Apgujeong Rodeo Station, this attraction features a series of cute bear statues inspired by K-pop acts such as BTS, Psy, Blackpink, and more. While not necessarily a mind-blowing experience, the photo ops are a must for any hardcore K-pop aficionado. 

This small gallery located in the basement of the Textile Center building next to Samseong Station features an exhibition space shop, cafe, and education zone. They tend to display foreign artists with an emphasis on modern painters.