COEX Shopping and Aquarium
COEX Shopping Mall and Aquarium are located in the Samseong-dong area in Gangnam. CEOX Shopping Mall is the largest underground shopping mall or “underground shopping center” in Asia. The area is about 85,000 square meters with 250 stores.
For those of you who want to go shopping at CEOX Mall, all you have to do is take the 2 lane subway to Samseong station. When you have arrived at the station, take the exit 5 or 6 and follow through the COEX direction sign. The COEX Shopping Mall is connected to the Samseong underground station, so you can just walk from Samseong station to the shopping center. At the mall, you will be entertained with stores that offer branded goods, bookstores, spacious food courts, and play areas with the latest 100 gaming devices.
In this mall, you can visit the famous COEX Aquarium that contains fish and other sea dwellers. The aquarium exhibits marine biota from various continents in the world. The unique thing from COEX Aquarium is that the concept of the aquarium is unique and creative. The aquarium displays are designed as forms of home furniture, offices and other forms where the marine biotas are placed in the designed displays.
Don’t forget to top up your T-money wallet before starting your journey!
Bongeunsa Temple
Traditional temples and skyscraper buildings are two very different things, but can you imagine the two standing side by side? Come to Bongeunsa in Gangnam!
Located at a corner in Gangnam, there is Bongeunsa that attracts attention in the middle of the ongoing modernization. Also known as the Gyeongseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa is in the north of the COEX building. It was built in the 10th year of King Shilla Wongseong’s reign in the year 794. In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon added a building to the north of King Seongjong’s tomb, then changed the name of this temple to Bongeunsa. Inside this temple, there are 3,479 Buddhist scriptures, including works by Kim Jeong-hee.
The visitors have to follow the predetermined route from the temple to explore every part of the building of the temple. Starting by entering through the gates of Jinyeo – Bupwangroo – Daewoongjeon – Jijangjeon – Yeosanjeon – Bookgeukbojeon – Mireukjeon – Panjeon – Jongroo. There are also several daily activities opened to the public. They also offer a weekly temple life program or a visit of the Bongeunsa during the Lotus Lantern Festival every May. The festival is held to honor Buddha’s birthday which falls on May 28th.
To go to the temple, you can take the subway or bus. If you choose the subway, you have to take the 2nd lane and exit through door 6 at Samseung station. From the station, walk about 100 meters in the direction of Asem Tower, then turn left. There, you can see the Bongeunsa temple on the right of the street. To get there by bus, take bus number 361, 680, 2225, 2411, 2413, 3411, 3415, 4411, or 4428. You can visit Bongeunsa every day free of charge. However, if you want to join the temple’s life program, you have to pay about 70,000 won for the 2 days and 1-night package, and 20,000 won for the 1-day package.
Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Rodeo Street in Apgujeong is considered as the number 1 fashion center in South Korea. In the 90s, this area was used to be just a hangout place for upper-class citizens that like to wear fancy clothes and drive imported cars. Now, Rodeo Street has become a fashion trend among Korean youngsters. The road is filled with trendy shops that sell goods from famous brands. You can find shoes, clothes, accessories, and a lot more!
One of the leading clothing stores in the area is the Galleria Departement Store which provides various fashion items from famous brands such as Prada, Balli, Giorgio Armani, Ferragamo, Gucci, and Versace. But if the prices don’t fit with your wallet, here are some tips! Come to Rodeo Street in January, April, July, October, or December, when almost all the shops set a discount up to 20 – 30 percent for each item. Other options: you can visit shops that sell second-hand items which are also widely available in Rodeo Street. There is a store that routinely supplies used goods from Italy and sells them at discount prices of up to 70 percent. Meanwhile, there are shops that provide less expensive goods, such as for clothes with a price of about 50,000 – 100,000 won. What attracts the Korean youngsters and tourists is that the unique design and good quality of the things make them encouraged to purchase and upgrade their own style in fashion.
To get to Rodeo Street, you can take the subway line 3 to Apgujeong Station and exit through door 2. Don’t forget to set your priorities before Rodeo Street shrink your wallet!
