A Foreigner’s Guide to Seoul’s Most Beautiful Contrast
Most travelers know the big names—Gangnam, Itaewon, Hongdae.
But very few realize that right in the middle of Seoul’s busiest business district,
there is a place where forest trails, ancient royal tombs, skyscrapers, cafés, and quiet streets blend into one of the most unique neighborhoods in the city.
That place is Seolleung Station.
If Yeoksam is the “business nightlife hub,”
and Samsung Station is the “mega-mall + COEX zone,”
Seolleung is the breathing space between them.
A place where:
- office workers eat lunch under 500-year-old trees,
- runners jog past royal tombs at sunrise,
- travelers find calm in the middle of chaos,
- cafés hide between glass towers,
- and foreigners discover a version of Seoul that most tourists completely miss.
This is the heart of Teheran-ro—
but also a doorway into Korea’s deep history.
Let’s walk through it together.
🏛️ 1. What Makes Seolleung Station Special?
Seolleung Station (Line 2 / Bundang Line) is located in the Gangnam business belt.
But unlike Gangnam Station or Samsung Station, Seolleung has a dual identity:
✦ A historical landmark (Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs)
✦ A modern financial district (Teheran-ro corporate zone)
This mix makes it one of the only places in Seoul where you can go from:
- pine forests →
- ancient kings’ tombs →
- global tech headquarters →
- cafés and rooftop bars
in less than five minutes.
Foreigners often say:
“This doesn’t feel like Gangnam…
It feels like a calm city-within-a-city.”
Exactly.
🗺️ 2. Where Is Seolleung? (And Why It Matters)
Seolleung is between Gangnam, Yeoksam, and Samsung, making it a perfect center point.
✔ Walkable distances:
- To Yeoksam Station: 10–12 minutes
- To Gangnam Station: 15–18 minutes
- To Samsung Station/COEX: 12–15 minutes
- To Samseong Jungang: 15–20 minutes
✔ The area is known for:
- skyscrapers
- foreign corporate offices
- financial companies
- calm streets
- green walking paths
- hidden cafés
- easy safety and navigation
This is why many expats choose Seolleung for living or working.
🌲 3. The Seolleung Royal Tombs: A Forest Escape in the Middle of Gangnam
This is the soul of the neighborhood.
Seolleung (宣陵) and Jeongneung (靖陵) are UNESCO-recognized Joseon Dynasty royal tombs—
home to King Seongjong, Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong.
Foreigners love this area because:
✔ It’s peaceful
✔ It feels ancient and spiritual
✔ It’s shockingly quiet compared to Gangnam
✔ It’s affordable (1,000–2,000 KRW entrance)
✔ It’s perfect for walking, running, photography
✔ It’s a “secret escape” for locals
Imagine this:
You walk through the glass towers of Teheran-ro,
turn a corner,
and suddenly the city disappears.
Tall pine trees surround you.
The air cools.
The sound of traffic melts away.
Only birds, wind, and wide-open green fields remain.
Foreign travelers often say:
“This is the calmest place in Gangnam.”
“I had no idea this existed.”
“Walking here feels like time travel.”
It’s the perfect spot to reset your mind
after navigating the busy streets of Seoul.
☕ 4. Café Culture in Seolleung: Quiet, Stylish, and Very Local
Seolleung is full of hidden cafés tucked between tall buildings—
a paradise for digital nomads, remote workers, and travelers seeking a calm vibe.
Here are foreigner-approved spots:
① Café Layered (선릉 레이어드)
British-style bakery + antique interior.
Scones, cakes, tea, and afternoon calm.
② Coffee Libre (커피리브레)
One of Korea’s top specialty coffee brands.
Minimalist, professional, excellent beans.
③ Mega Coffee / Compose Coffee (budget-friendly)
If you want something quick and cheap, these chains are everywhere.
④ The famous “office tower cafés”
Inside the lobby of corporate buildings around Seolleung,
there are surprisingly great cafés with:
- quiet seating
- good lighting
- strong Wi-Fi
- fewer crowds
Perfect for working.
🍽️ 5. What to Eat Around Seolleung: Real Local Lunch Culture
Seolleung is a lunchtime battlefield—
in a good way.
Thousands of office workers fill the streets between 11:30–1:30,
meaning the restaurants here are fast, fresh, and extremely good.
Here are the spots foreigners usually enjoy:
🍜 1. Myeongdong Kyoja Seolleung Branch
Knife-cut noodles, dumplings, simple, iconic.
🥩 2. Seolleung Gogi Alley (BBQ cluster)
A small area packed with:
- beef BBQ
- pork belly
- cold noodles
- kimchi stew
Many foreign workers eat here after work.
🍱 3. Deungchon Kalguksu (등촌칼국수)
Spicy clam hotpot + noodles.
Perfect for cold days.
🍛 4. Japanese lunch spots
Tonkatsu, curry, udon.
Fast service, English menus commonly available.
🍜 5. Local Korean stews
Kimchi stew
Doenjang stew
Soft tofu stew
Spicy pork
Typical office-worker meals.
Healthy, simple, and cheap(ish).
🍸 6. Nightlife: Seolleung Is Quiet, But Classy
This is not a clubbing area.
This is not Hongdae.
This is not Itaewon.
Seolleung nightlife is calm, refined, and perfect for conversation.
Foreign-friendly picks:
🍷 1. Wine Works
Small wine shop + bar atmosphere.
Great for couples or solo travelers.
🍶 2. Izakaya Kogane
Japanese-style pub.
Grilled skewers, sake, good music.
🍺 3. Brew Guru (nearby)
Craft beer, relaxed vibe, foreigner-friendly.
🍹 4. Lounge bars near Teheran-ro
Low lighting, modern design, mellow beats.
If Yeoksam is the “after-work drinks” area,
Seolleung is the “let’s talk properly” area.
🏨 7. Hotels Near Seolleung (Perfect for Business Travelers)
Seolleung is a favorite among:
- business travelers
- expats
- long-term visitors
Because it’s quiet, safe, and well-connected.
Top choices:
🏩 1. Shilla Stay Seolleung
Clean, modern, polished.
Excellent location.
🏩 2. L7 Gangnam
Trendy, younger vibe, stylish rooms.
🏩 3. GLAD Gangnam COEX Center
Close to COEX but easily reachable from Seolleung.
🏩 4. Urban Place Gangnam
Budget-friendly, safe, comfortable.
🚶 8. Best Walking Routes from Seolleung
✔ Route A — “Forest Path + Tech City” (45 min)
- Start: Seolleung Station Exit 8
- Walk the Royal Tombs trail
- Exit toward Teheran-ro
- Walk west toward Gangnam Station
→ Perfect contrast: nature → skyscrapers
✔ Route B — “Seolleung → Samsung → COEX” (30–40 min)
- Cross toward Samseong-ro
- Head straight to COEX
- Finish at Starfield Library
Foreigners love this because it feels like a smooth transition from calm → busy.
👮 9. Safety, Night Lighting, and Foreign Friendliness
Seolleung is one of the safest areas in Seoul.
✔ Night lighting bright
✔ CCTV everywhere
✔ High foot traffic due to office workers
✔ English menus common
✔ Taxis very available
✔ Streets wide and clean
For solo travelers—especially women—Seolleung is one of the most comfortable districts in the city.
💬 10. Common Questions from Foreigners
❓ Is Seolleung worth visiting?
Yes—if you want calm beauty, history, and modern Seoul together.
❓ Is the royal tomb area safe at night?
It closes at sunset, but surrounding streets are safe and well-lit.
❓ Is it better than Gangnam Station?
For cafés, calm walks, hotels, and food → yes.
For shopping or nightlife → go to Gangnam/Samsung.
❓ Is it foreigner-friendly?
Very. Many workers here speak basic English.
🌆 11. Why Seolleung Feels Different From the Rest of Gangnam
Gangnam is loud.
Gangnam is stylish.
Gangnam is fun.
But Seolleung is where Gangnam breathes.
The forests, the royal tombs, the soft green hills, the calm sidewalks—
they create a balance you won’t find anywhere else.
It’s where you feel the history of Korea…
while being surrounded by the most modern part of the city.
A perfect contradiction.
A beautiful harmony.
And one of the places foreigners fall in love with
after they’ve seen the tourist spots.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Seolleung Is the Seoul You Don’t Expect—But Need to See
If you want the version of Seoul that locals secretly enjoy—
the quiet paths, the calm cafés, the balanced nightlife,
the green spaces hidden between skyscrapers—
Seolleung is your place.
It’s not famous.
It’s not loud.
It’s not crowded.
But it is deeply, quietly, unmistakably Seoul.
A blend of Korea’s past and its future.
And a neighborhood you’ll remember long after you leave.
