Home to the world’s largest underground shopping mall, Samseong-dong is an affluent neighbourhood in Seoul’s Gangnam District. It’s here that you’ll find the 54-floor tower of the World Trade Center Seoul and the Bongeunsa temple, as well as a museum dedicated to kimchi, one of the staples of Korean cuisine.
Things to do in Samseong-dong
The south of Samseong-dong is dominated by the World Trade Center Seoul, which is home to the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center and one of South Korea’s tallest buildings, the 228-metre-high Trade Tower. You can get up close to marine species from across the globe at the COEX Aquarium or explore the hundreds of shops that cluster in the underground Starfield COEX Mall.
Fans of kimchi shouldn’t miss a visit to the Museum Kimchikan, which details the history of this fermented food and its importance to Korean cuisine. Learn about the regional variations found throughout the world and taste samples of each or attend one of the regular kimchi-making demonstrations and cooking classes held at the museum.
Nestled on the slope of Sudo Mountain is Bongeunsa, a Buddhist temple founded in the 8th century during the reign of King Wonseong. In addition to its ornate pavilions and halls, the temple is renowned for its programs that allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of the resident monks. After learning about the traditions of Korean Buddhism, you can dine at one of the vegetarian restaurants lining the adjacent street.
Getting around Samseong-dong
Samseong-dong is a 40-minute subway ride from Seoul Station, with regular trains connecting along Line 2 and Line 9 of the Seoul Subway. Buses travel throughout Samseong-dong, while most attractions are within a short walk of the neighbourhood’s subway stations.