Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Gangnam Library

Library · Gangnam-gu Office Stn. (Line 7, Suin-Bundang Line)

Public library in Gangnam-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Historic site · Seolleung Stn. (Line 2, Suin-Bundang Line)

▷ The story of Seolleung: Seolleung holds the tombs of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, and his third queen, Queen Jeonghyeon of the Yun clan. It is a dongwon igangneung, with one T-shaped shrine serving burial mounds set on two separate hills

Historic site · Seolleung Stn. (Line 2, Suin-Bundang Line)

A favourite walking spot among Joseon royal tombs in the middle of the high-rises. A lunchtime stroll for office workers, with a photogenic pine tree path.

Park · Samseongjungang Stn. (Line 9)

Home to Bongeunsa Temple, the park offers plenty of Buddhist experience programmes, and as a historic-site park it holds designated cultural properties including the commentary woodblocks of the Avatamsaka Sutra, the 'Panjeon' plaque written by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui in his later years, and the Seonbuldang hall.

Library · Gangnam-gu Office Stn. (Line 7, Suin-Bundang Line)

Public library in Gangnam-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Park · Cheongdam Stn. (Line 7)

Cheongdam Park is a hillside park in Cheongdam-dong, an area packed with high-rise apartments, detached houses and shops, making it an important piece of nature in the city. Step inside and the sound of the brook and of mountain birds makes it feel like deep forest

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.