Gangnam: Temple, Tombs and Towers
A 1,200-year-old temple facing the COEX towers
≈1.9 km · ≈30 min walking · Easy · Gangnam-gu · Start: Samseong station · End: Seolleung station
Gangnam's glass towers sit right next to its past. Start in the giant library inside COEX, cross to Bongeunsa temple, then walk to the wooded tombs of two Joseon kings.
Stops
- Starfield Library (별마당도서관)
A free public library in the middle of COEX Mall (2017), with bookshelves 13 m high under a glass roof. - Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사 (서울))
A Buddhist temple founded in 794 that now faces the COEX towers across the road, with a 23 m standing Maitreya Buddha. Templestay programmes are offered in English. - Seolleung & Jeongneung (서울 선릉과정릉) [유네스코 세계유산)
Tombs of King Seongjong, his queen and King Jungjong of Joseon, part of the UNESCO-listed Royal Tombs. Grassy mounds and stone guardians in a pine wood.
Best time: Tuesday to Sunday (the royal tombs close on Mondays). Morning at the temple is quietest.
Tips
- Starfield Library is on the ground and first floors of COEX Mall, near the Bongeunsa-ro entrance.
Access
Starfield Library is indoors and step-free. Bongeunsa's upper halls are up stone steps, and the royal tombs are reached on gravel paths with a slope.