6 Best Sights in Seoul, South Korea

Situated in Bangi-dong between the Lotte World Tower and Olympic Park, this several-block concourse is home to scores of eateries and watering holes. At lunchtime, office workers line up at the most popular spots, and at night, the place comes alive with Jamsil residents eating and imbibing beer, soju, and more.

Sitting just two blocks behind Gangnam Station's Exit 10, this narrow concourse is home to scores of barbecue restaurants as well as pocha, the Korean drinking-establishments serving up side dishes known as anju. In the warmer months the outdoor patios are packed with a young crowd eating and drinking and living it up. The atmosphere is lively and infectious, and while you may have to wait for a table on the weekends, the opportunity to sit outside, nibble on grilled meat, and wash it all down with a bottle or two of soju should not be missed.

While the neighborhoods north of the Han River are home to most of the tourist sights in Seoul, the much newer areas to the south offer a glimpse of Seoul's trendier side. Easily the best place to see this would be Garosu-gil, Seoul's aptly named "Street of Trees." The number of trees lining this shady 700 meter-long (2,297 feet) street is challenged only by the number of its boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. While other neighborhoods in Gangnam are packed with international brands, Garosu-gil is still dominated by locally produced goods and cafes. While not necessarily the place for traditional souvenirs, Garosu-gil is a good stop for some relaxing boutique shopping and watching the world go by from one of its many cool cafés.

Located along the strip of high-end designer shops near Apgujeong Rodeo Station, this attraction features a series of cute bear statues inspired by K-pop acts such as BTS, Psy, Blackpink, and more. While not necessarily a mind-blowing experience, the photo ops are a must for any hardcore K-pop aficionado. 

More of a shopping district than a shopping street, Myeongdong has dozens of small boutiques selling everything from skincare to women's wear and more. These shops often have a small selection of cheaper items set up outside that invite you to come in. While bargaining used to take place years ago, most shops stick strictly to the tag price since a crackdown on price gouging took place around 2014. Unlike similar shopping districts in the city, the vendors in Myeongdong are more likely to speak English (and Chinese and Japanese for that matter) and understand a tourist's shopping needs such as tax-free shopping and bulk purchases for souvenirs.

This once mainly residential area behind Seokchon East Lake has been transformed into a neighborhood of cool restaurants and funky cafes, drawing young people from across the city to delve into its photo-worthy deliciousness. While the main strip offers the most choices, make sure to wander into some of the quieter side alleys, where you just may stumble upon some hidden gems. Be prepared to wait for a table at the more popular places on the weekends, as the Songridan-gil can attract crowds.