The Top Things to See and Do in Gangnam, Seoul

Gangnam literally means ‘south of the river,’ and this district in South Korea’s capital lies along the banks of the Han, one of the country’s largest bodies of water. There’s plenty to do and see in this historically rich, fast-developing neighborhood. We explore some of the best.
Sing karaoke in Seoul as part of Culture Trip’s 10-day epic adventure around South Korea – then set off to explore the rest of the country with a small group of like-minded travellers.
Dance to ‘Gangnam Style’
Right outside of Gangnam Station Exit 5 is a tribute to ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY, once the most popular song in the world. ‘Gangnam Style’ received more than three billion views on YouTube, and that number is still rising. Here, tourists and locals can get on stage and record themselves dancing to ‘Gangnam Style’ while the music plays on loop in the background. A must-visit if you’re hitting this section of the capital.
Go clubbing
Seoul’s nightlife is no joke, and in Gangnam you can find yourself partying until the sun comes up. The clubs are pretty spaced out, so club hopping isn’t as easy as in the Hongdae area. Taxi fares are relatively low in Korea, however, so it’s definitely possible to visit two or three in one evening. Most of the clubs in this area play EDM or hip-hop music and have separate rooms for different genres.
Shop until you drop

Gangnam is known as one of the richest districts in South Korea and is home to many department stores, underground shopping centers, and malls. This is where you would find Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace and other designer stores. Apgujeong and Cheongdam are the top shopping neighborhoods and there was even a television show, called Cheongdam Alice, about a poor girl wanting to get in with the wealthy elites of the area, spending time shopping and doing little else.
Visit Bongeunsa
Buddhist Temple

Samsung D'light
Museum
Visit SM, JYP, or CUBE

Gangnam is home to some of the largest Korean entertainment companies. Members of the public often go and visit the company headquarters and studios in the hopes of seeing a famous Korean idol walking or driving to and from the building. There are often large groups of fans and TV stations clustered around the entrances, which is something of a sight in itself.
Samneung Park
Park

Seoul Olympic Park
Park

COEX - Shopping and Aquarium
Aquarium, Concert Hall, Movie Theater, Museum, Shopping Mall

Browse our full collection of Epic Trips and Mini Trips to find your dream getaway, planned and prepped for you by our Travel Experts.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.