Seocho-gu Naegok Library

Museum · Cheonggyesan Ipgu Stn. (Sinbundang Line)

The world's first audio museum, from Edison's phonograph to 20th-century vintage audio, seen on a 90-minute docent tour that includes actual listening sessions. The building was designed by Kengo Kuma. Free, but all seats must be booked in advance and competition is fierce.

Mountain & trail · Cheonggyesan Ipgu Stn. (Sinbundang Line)

The mountain is named for Inreung, the tomb of King Sunjo lying to the north, of which it is recorded as the ancestral mountain. Stretching east to west across Seocho-gu in Seoul and Seongnam in Gyeonggi-do, it rises 327 m and remains much as nature made it

Sports facility · 양재2동

Public indoor pool in Seocho-gu with a six-lane 25m adult pool and a toddler pool. Open swim costs 5,500 won per session, and there is a gym on site. Open-swim time slots change monthly, so check before you go.

Museum · 내곡동

Mountain & trail · 내곡동

Guryongsan shares a single ridge with Daemosan and straddles the boundary of Seocho-gu and Gangnam-gu; since 1971 the two have been designated and managed as Daemosan Urban Nature Park. At 306 m, it is neither high nor rugged, so

Sports facility · Yangjae Citizen's Forest Stn. (Sinbundang Line)

Public indoor pool in Seocho-gu with a six-lane adult pool and a children's pool. Open swim costs 6,000 won per session. Open-swim time slots change monthly, so check before you go.

Jung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2)

A landmark right in front of Seoul Plaza. Known for its stepped bookshelves and glass-walled plaza views, with a rooftop and cafe for a break.

Gangnam-gu · Samseong Stn. (Line 2), Bongeunsa Stn. (Line 9)

Famous for its 13m-high shelves, this is a photo hotspot inside COEX Mall. Ideal escape from summer heat and winter cold, with plenty of seating.

Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

A campus-style library on the Bukchon hillside. A healing spot where you can picnic on garden benches among spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

Yongsan-gu · Myeongdong Stn. / Hoehyeon Stn. (Line 4)

A library atop a stairway on the slopes of Namsan. Read a book, then walk straight on to Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower on a free route.

Jongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3)

On the edge of Sajik Park and Inwangsan. Read, then stroll the park; pair it with Gyeongbokgung for a full day.