A place where the dynamic future breathes much like the excitement and hope of the first day at work. The busiest station in South Korea with a daily ridership of 200,000, symbolizing the compressed growth of the Republic of Korea and serving as its largest commercial district. (Source: Korea Railroad Corporation, ‘Railway Stations in Korea’)
© KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION – IR Studio
Access by subway
Line 2 Gangnam Station, Shinbundang Line Gangnam Station
Information
Gangnam Station on Line 2 has been selected as the ‘busiest subway station’ for 19 consecutive years, with a daily ridership exceeding 200,000. According to big data from a telecom company, it was revealed that during the 2023 Christmas season, the area near Gangnam Station was identified as the place with the highest number of people.
“Gangnam Station” is commonly used when referring to the commercial area around Gangnam Station. When people commonly say they are going to Gangnam Station, it usually means heading to the commercial area around the intersection of Teheran Road and Gangnam Boulevard, which forms the center of Gangnam Station area.
Myeongdong and Gangnam Station are regarded as representative commercial districts in Seoul.
Myeongdong has a long history as a commercial district. During the Japanese colonial period, residential areas for Japanese residents developed south of Cheonggyecheon, and around that time, modern commercial districts began to take shape in the Myeongdong and Chungmuro areas, continuing to the present day. The Myeongdong commercial district attracts a significant number of tourists due to the presence of nearby attractions.
In contrast to Myeongdong, Gangnam Station emerged as a new hub for business, commerce, and transportation due to industrialization following the Korean War, leading to the expansion of Seoul. Before its opening in 1982, Gangnam Station primarily consisted of residential areas for citizens who had migrated from the northern part of the city, along with community facilities for their convenience. However, since the opening of the Gangnam Station subway, it has transformed into a center for business and commercial facilities. With the development of new cities below Seoul, such as Bundang, it has also become a key transportation hub connecting Seoul with these suburban areas.
In the bustling area surrounding the landmark skyscraper where financial institutions and major corporations are headquartered, the streets are alive 24/7 with office workers pouring out, individuals seeking to meet them, and citizens utilizing various commercial facilities. The crowd includes commuters from new towns, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
You’ll find a diverse array of establishments, including restaurants and cafes from various nationalities, pubs, clubs, lounges, bars, pop-up stores, luxury and independent fashion boutiques, cinemas, theaters, exhibition spaces, as well as independent bookstores, used bookstores, and large bookstores selling a variety of items such as diaries, fountain pens, design stationery, interior decorations, lifestyle fancy goods, music, and books.
In this dynamic district with a high flow of people, there are even unique amenities like self-photo studios, film developing shops, indoor shooting ranges, indoor fishing spots, pottery workshops, experience studios, comic book cafes, escape rooms, tarot cafes, board game cafes, bowling alleys, and more. On a good weather day, street performances may also be enjoyed.
The representative bustling district of a nation’s capital is a place everyone wants to visit. In Seoul, the area around Gangnam Station embodies just that.
Useful tips for tourists
When considering Gangnam Station as a tourist destination, it’s recommended to explore three main areas with abundant dining and entertainment options: (1) Gangnam Station Underground Shopping Mall, (2) the surrounding area of Gangnam Station, and (3) the vicinity from Gangnam Station northwards to Sinnonhyeon Station.
Before your visit, it’s beneficial to preview these locations on NAVER Map or KaKaomap, as these platforms often provide more up-to-date information on restaurants, cafes, and various establishments compared to Google Maps. These three areas offer a plethora of attractions, making it worthwhile to check out restaurants, cafes, stores, movie theaters, and other venues marked on the map in advance for a smoother navigation experience.