Gangnam & South of the Han River - Seoul - page 249

Join in the amusement-park fun of Lotte World ( CLICK HERE ), with its thrill rides and
fairy-tale carousel and castle.
Make a lotus lantern and sip tea with monks at the venerable temple Bongeun-sa (
CLICK HERE ).
Pay your respects at Seonjeongneung ( CLICK HERE ), the tombs of past Korean kings in
Seolleung Park.
Head to Seoul Grand Park to enjoy the zoo, the amusement park and National Mu-
seum of Contemporary Art ( CLICK HERE ).
Explore Gangnam & South of the Han River
Meaning South of the River, Gangnam refers to an administrative area, Gangnam-gu, and
the parts of Seoul that lie south of the Han. Looking at the ranks of tower blocks bisected
by broad highways, it's hard to imagine that there wasn't much of the city here a few dec-
ades ago. The area saw much development for the 1988 Olympics, the legacy of which is
Olympic Park. Built in the same location as the ancient fortress city Hanseong, this is one
of the area's few bona-fide sights.
Another is the impressive Buddhist temple Bongeun-sa; and Gangnam's wide open
spaces allowed Lotte to create its giant indoor and outdoor theme park. But mainly this
newer part of Seoul is a ritzy residential address, entertainment district and business hub
with major company headquarters, such as Samsung D-Light, and the COEX complex
with its convention centre and shopping mall.
Retail is as flash as it gets in upscale Apgujeong and Cheongdam. Checking out the
eye-boggling design boutiques, with even more eye-boggling price tags on the merchand-
ise, can be fun even if you lack the credit for purchases. More affordable is the shopping
on nearby Garosu-gil.
Further south the Seoul Arts Centre promotes traditional and modern culture, Korean
and Western, while in Gwacheon (technically outside the city limits), Seoul Grand Park is
home to a huge zoo, major art gallery and a big amusement park.