CITY GUIDE

Seoul – Gangnam & Samseong

Samseong-dong in Gangnam is a business district built around COEX, with large hotels, an underground mall and office towers within walking distance. SETEC, Gangnam's other exhibition venue, is a short ride south in Daechi-dong, right by Hangnyeoul Station on Line 3.

Venues: COEX

Where to stay

  • Samseong-dong (COEX) — Several large hotels connect to COEX and Samseong Station (Line 2) through underground passages, so you can reach the halls without going outside.
  • Seolleung & Yeoksam (Teheran-ro) — The office corridor one or two stops west of Samseong on Line 2, with a wide range of business hotels and the royal tombs park nearby.
  • Jamsil — A few stops east on Line 2, around Lotte World Tower; a good choice if you want shopping and an observation deck on your doorstep.

Getting around

  • COEX has direct underground access from Samseong Station (Line 2, exits 5/6) and Bongeunsa Station (Line 9, exit 7).
  • From Incheon Airport, airport limousine bus 6103 runs to Samseong Station exit 5, next to COEX.
  • For SETEC, take Line 3 to Hangnyeoul Station; its exit leads straight to the venue.
  • A rechargeable T-money card works on Seoul subways, buses and many taxis. Naver Map or KakaoMap give better local directions than global map apps.

After the show

  • Bongeunsa Temple — A Buddhist temple first founded in 794, just north of COEX, with a large stone Buddha statue and a calm evening atmosphere. Entry is free and it is open until 10pm; templestay programs are available. (Across the road from COEX (Bongeunsa Station, Line 9))
  • Starfield Library — A free public library in the middle of COEX Mall, known for its 13-metre-tall bookshelves in a central atrium. Open during mall hours. (Inside COEX Mall)
  • Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs — UNESCO-listed tombs of Joseon Dynasty kings in a wooded park with walking paths; a quiet break between meetings. Closed on Mondays. (Near COEX; Seolleung Station or Samseong Station (Line 2))
  • Seoul Sky, Lotte World Tower — Observation deck near the top of Korea's tallest building (123 floors, 555 m), open into the evening, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. (Jamsil Station, a few stops east of Samseong on Line 2)
  • Samseong Food & Culture Street — The restaurant and bar street behind COEX, between Samseong Jungang and Bongeunsa stations on Line 9, where local office workers go for lunch and dinner. (Walking distance from COEX)

Where to eat

  • Samseong Food & Culture Street — Korean set meals, dim sum, bakeries and pubs, aimed at the local office crowd.
  • COEX Mall — Korean, Asian and Western restaurants under one roof, handy for a quick lunch between sessions.
  • Galbi (grilled marinated ribs) near Samseong Station — A standard business dinner in Korea; several established Korean barbecue restaurants sit around the station.