Since the Tomb of King Sejong the Great (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) requires a bus ride from Southern Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal, why waste the rest of the day? When I travel, I find myself trying to maximize my time with things to do. While I enjoy lounging around and just relaxing as much as the next guy, traveling for me is mostly a time to explore, explore, explore! With that in mind, here are three things to do when you return from your trip to Yeoju to visit King Sejong the Great or when you find yourself in the southern side of Seoul.
1) See the Musical Fountain on the Banpo Bridge
One of the reasons I started this blog was to promote places I find incredible, as well as cry foul when I think something is overrated. The Banpo Bridge Musical Fountain touts itself as the longest musical fountain in the world, and Listverse (one of my favorite websites) even ranks it as #10 in a list of best fountains in the world. It isn’t and it is not even close to as beautiful as the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas, the Wynn Casino Fountain in Macao, or the Wild Goose Fountain I wrote about on a previous article. It is however worth a visit, especially if you are already in the area. Although I have never seen it at night, I have seen pictures that it lights up. While I normally don’t offer directions, this is a bit confusing to get to:
From the Express Bus Terminal Subway, take exit 8-1 or 8-2. Which ever one you get out off, you should see a small road directly behind you, and the Bus Terminal across the street. Walk along that small road leading away from the Bus Terminal (north, if you have a compass on your phone). You will start seeing signs for the park, but also, oddly enough, parking lots for apartment complexes that make you feel like you are in the wrong place. Walk STRAIGHT THROUGH the parking lots until you really hit a dead end wall. To the right of that wall, there is a tunnel that leads to the Han River Park. Keep walking straight and you will bump into the Han River, with the Banpo Bridge Fountain literally pouring out of the bridge on your left hand side.
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2) Google Map on how to get there
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1) Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty World Heritage Site
2) Visit Gangnam or Apgujeong
I would have recommended this long before the terrible song “Gangnam Style” by Psy was a hit. While I am not a fan of the song (and neither should you, but to each their own), you might be curious what the fuss is all about. Maybe a little geography wouldn’t hurt. Seoul City is divided into Districts, with Gangnam District being one of the wealthiest, signifying, the wealth and power of Seoul or Korea as a whole. However, the reason I recommend it is because when you see Seoul in a movie, or on a postcard as a “city of lights” or a “city that never sleeps,” you are probably seeing either Apgujeong or Gangnam (Station area). Gangnam District includes the immediate area outside of Gangman Station (Green Line 2, Exit 11) and the immediate area outside of Apgujeong Station (Orange Line 3). Both of these areas offer great shopping, fine dining, and night life.
While few can deny that nature is beautiful, the argument can be made that the polar opposite is also beautiful. Gangnam is one of the most developed areas of the mega city of Seoul, serving as a symbol of development and a reminder of how far ahead humanity is from the rest of the animal kingdom (a bit much?)
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2) Apgujeong and Gangnam Map (Despite what google maps may thing, I would stick to the subway)
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1) Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty World Heritage Site
3) Visit the Coex Underground Mall and Aquarium
While I am a bit ashamed to have suggested two predominantly shopping hubs in one post (as I am not a big shopper, especially while traveling), I hope that both are justified. The Coex is the largest underground mall in Asia and contains a pretty cool aquarium that is much bigger than it looks from the outside. While I have since seen better aquariums in Japan, this one is nonetheless especially cool because of how close you can get to penguins. Less than an inch of glass separates you from them. The Coex Mall is located 3 stops away from Gangnam Station, on Samseong Station (Green Line 2). Besides the aquarium, you can also enjoy some great fine dining, or shopping. Just outside the mall is also a large Buddhist temple, but I will cover that in the next article.
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1) Map to Coex
2) Wiki on Coex
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1) Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty World Heritage Site
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