Practical Travel Guide to Gangnam, Seoul: Popular Attractions in Gangnam Recommended by Study Abroad Students

During the pandemic, I've been staying home for safety and health, nearly going stir-crazy. Having studied abroad in Korea for so many years, I've been all over the streets of Seoul, especially Gangnam District, where I've been the most often. Taking advantage of this free time, I'd like to recommend a few tourist attractions in Gangnam that I personally think are worth visiting when traveling to Seoul. I hope this personal travel guide to Gangnam, Seoul is helpful to everyone.

COEX Starfield, which belongs to the Shinsae Group, is a comprehensive venue combining shopping, leisure, and healing, and is an excellent choice for a day trip. It has a variety of shops and cuisines from around the world. Every time friends or family come to Korea, I take them to COEX for a good time. Among them, the most iconic place is the Starfield Library located in the center of COEX.

I heard that the library was originally built to solve the problem of COEX's large interior space making it easy for customers to get lost, so the Starfield Library also serves as a landmark. The open, spacious area allows customers to rest, pause, or stumble upon a book by chance—finding tranquility within the hustle and bustle, which has its own unique charm. The Starfield Library has many seats and desks on both floors, which is very user-friendly. I've even encountered writers holding events here, interacting with readers in a very pleasant atmosphere. Whether day or night, the twinkling library, together with the sky outside the window, creates a beautiful picture. Whether you love books or taking photos, this is a must-visit spot in COEX. Also, the Starfield Library is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., so be sure to plan your time accordingly.

Another reason I like COEX is that it's a venue for all kinds of expos. I love drinking beer. Last time there was a beer festival here, it was amazing! Sitting on the grass with friends, savoring authentic beer, enjoying the sunshine and breeze—it was delightful. That's why, whenever friends come to Seoul to visit me and ask for a Gangnam attraction recommendation route, I just send them these pictures to give them a taste.

For fashion shopping, go to Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam

After talking about eating, drinking, and having fun, let's move on to shopping, which many friends care about. My top recommendation is Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam, located near Express Bus Terminal on Subway Line 3. It's easily accessible, so tourists can find it easily. This is also a department store frequented by wealthy Koreans. Not only can you shop here, but you can also enjoy fine food, coffee, and wine. That's why I often come here with friends on weekends and holidays.

Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam has floors 1 to 10 above ground, offering a wide range of categories including luxury goods, beauty and skincare, men's and women's clothing, shoes and hats, sports products, furniture, and home appliances—very comprehensive. Before you go, you can check the location of target stores on the Shinsegae Department Store Chinese official website to save time. If you have enough time, strolling around the bright and spacious Shinsegae Department Store is also nice.

Basement floor 1 is Famille Street, where CHICOR is my favorite store. CHICOR is a Korean beauty editing store under Shinsegae Department Store. First of all, the brands available in the store are completely different in level and scale from ordinary beauty concept stores, including over 200 domestic and international beauty brands. The decoration style is also high-end and elegant. All kinds of testers and tools are very clean, so you can try them with confidence and avoid buying something you don't like. Plus, there are staff who speak Chinese, so no need to worry about language issues.

Besides Famille Street on basement floor 1, there is also Factory Store, an area for discounted goods. If you're interested, you can hunt for bargains here—they're very cost-effective.

An important reason I often visit Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam is the rich variety of cosmetics brands. Besides the beauty editing store CHICOR on the basement floor, the first floor, like many department stores, has a dedicated cosmetics area with famous brands like Dior, Chanel, Guerlain, Sulwhasoo, Bobbi Brown, and many other domestic and international luxury brands easily found here. However, Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam also has many cosmetics brands on the second floor, such as DARPHIN, Serge Lutens, Kylian, etc. This gives customers a wider selection compared to other department stores, allowing them to get everything they need in one place, which is why it's so popular among tourists.

After all that shopping, you're bound to get tired. So every time I shop, I go to the S-GARDEN on the 11th floor to sit and rest. The 11th floor also has chain restaurants, where you can eat or get some fresh air. The views at S-GARDEN are beautiful, perfect for beauty-loving girls to take photos and leave a memory. In the midst of a noisy city, having such a little space that preserves the natural atmosphere is truly refreshing. Don't forget this hidden gem.

These are the places I usually love to go. The facilities and functions are relatively concentrated, so you don't have to run around. What do you think? Don't you think these Gangnam attractions in Seoul are pretty nice? If you have a chance, you should check them out!