It would be a shame to come to South Korea for plastic surgery and skin treatments and not get to see the sights. Today, we're going to introduce you to some of the best neighborhoods in Gangnam, where fashion, culture, shopping, beauty, and healthcare are some of the most advanced in Korea.
Sightseeing Tip 1. Copy Gangnam Style
Gangnam is a fashion mecca. Gangnam is the Beverly Hills of California and the Champs-Élysées of Paris, thanks to the dance music sensation Gangnam Style, which has become a global phenomenon and has sparked international interest in the neighborhood. However, there are several shopping centers in Gangnam, including Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam Station, and Garosu-gil. Let's summarize what each area has to offer.
Apgujeong-dong, the center of fashionistas
A favorite neighborhood of celebrities and fashionistas, it's also a popular destination for expats for a week-long shopping and makeover course. It's home to luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Chanel, as well as two of Korea's leading department stores, Galleria Department Store and Hyundai Department Store. You'll also find unique independent designer brands on every corner. Bonded shops are also dotted around. It's a harmonious mix of shops that cater to a wide range of tastes, preferences, and price points.
The neighborhood is also home to a high concentration of plastic surgeries and dermatology clinics, so it's not uncommon to see foreign tourists staying in Apgujeong-dong and shopping while they get their makeovers and follow-ups. And while you're browsing, chances are you'll see some of the singers and actors you've seen on TV and screens in the streets and cafes.
Gangnam Station, a playground for 20-somethings
Gangnam Station is a favorite neighborhood for 20-somethings. Because it's a young people's neighborhood, hair salons, shopping, and food are cheaper than in other parts of Gangnam. You can also find Korean street food such as tteokbokki, hot dogs, and shaved ice, as well as desserts. Another notable feature is the high concentration of dermatology clinics, both large and small, where young people on a tight budget can book in advance to get a few petite skin treatments at an affordable price.
Sightseeing Tip 2: Try a Korean Jjimjilbang
Shinsa-dong, Garosu-gil, where you can go shopping and visit jjimjilbangs
It's no secret that Garosu-gil is a fashion and cafe district, but did you know that it's also home to some of the best jjimjilbangs in Korea? You may remember watching Korean dramas and seeing a group of people huddled together with towels on their heads. Foreigners visiting Gangnam for business or pleasure often visit the area's many jjimjilbangs, making it a popular place to relax and experience something different.
In an interview, model Miranda Kerr mentioned that she regularly goes to an LA jjimjilbang to get a Korean body scrub called jamil, which she says makes her skin feel like porcelain and is incomparably smoother than a regular scrub. You can get this experience at jjimjilbangs if you book in advance.
A jjimjilbang is basically a large space with several types of saunas, including steam saunas, dry saunas, and saunas with special stones or pine needles for health benefits. In addition, there are massage, meridian treatment, and beauty facilities such as skincare, nail salon, and beauty salon. There are also restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat. After a long day of traveling or shopping, it's a great way to relax and take care of your skin in the evening.
Sightseeing Tip 3: Explore Seoul's most iconic cultural spaces
Samseong-dong COEX with its own yard
Samseongdong COEX is a complex cultural facility. A movie theater, aquarium, shopping mall, and modern department store are all connected. One of the most Instagrammed places by foreigners visiting Korea these days is inside COEX: the Byeolmadang, an open library with books lining the walls of the high-ceilinged building. You can also check out exhibitions and fairs if you know the schedule in advance. In front of COEX is Bongunsa Temple, one of the three major temples in Seoul. In spring, the temple is filled with colorful spring flowers, and in fall, the yellow and red leaves are spectacular. It's a great place to take a break from shopping and enjoy the beautiful nature and temples in the city center.
Jamsil Lotte World, a family-friendly attraction
Located 10-15 minutes by public transportation from Gangnam, Jamsil is home to Lotte World. It is an indoor-outdoor cultural complex centered around Seokchon Lake. It is a representative cultural facility in the Gangnam area of Seoul where you can enjoy various cultural benefits such as a theme park, shopping mall, ice rink, movie theater, aquarium, and observatory in one place. It is convenient to have all the facilities in one area, so you can walk to all of them without the hassle of moving around, which is why it is the most popular place for foreigners visiting Korea with families.
If Gangbuk has Namsan Tower, Gangnam has Seoul Sky Tower, which is connected to Lotte World in Jamsil. The sight of Korea's tallest building piercing through the clouds is impressive even from the outside, but the observation deck offers another attraction: a bird's eye view of Seoul.
Not to be missed is Lotte World, a large theme park with indoor and outdoor attractions. If you buy a one-day pass, you can ride unlimited rides. There are so many different rides and it's so big that if you plan to go to Lotte World, you should expect to spend a full day there. On weekends, the crowds are huge and the lines are long, so I recommend going during the week.
As a tip, many foreigners come to Jamsil for sightseeing and to get state-of-the-art vision correction procedures like Smile LASIK and health checkups, as there are many top-notch eye clinics and health checkup centers in Jamsil, making it a great place to get medical procedures and checkups, and to enjoy a variety of leisure activities at the same time.
With Gangnam as a tourist destination, you can experience the latest in Korean fashion and beauty culture, visit jjimjilbangs, theme parks, aquariums, and observatories, and take advantage of cutting-edge medical culture, such as vision correction and health checkups, all in one trip.
