Seoul Station: What To See Nearby, Where To Eat, & So Much More!
How many times have you visited Seoul Station (서울역) in the heart of the city of Seoul, Korea? Whether you’re just passing through or heading to the KTX train to get out of the city, or just want a lively area to shop and eat, Seoul Station is a pretty good stop to make. Coming into Seoul from Incheon International Airport? You’re probably headed here.
There’s way more to do around the station that is the central hub for the Seoul subway system though and I wanted to share some of the oft missed places so the next time you’re in the area, you won’t miss all of the fun, art, architecture, and history!
Want to see the must see places near Seoul Station? Here is what you shouldn’t miss:
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How To Get To Seoul Station
Address: 405 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 한강대로 405)
It’s almost easier to talk about what does NOT go to Seoul Station. This station is the terminus for the Gyeongbu Train Line which takes people to and from Seoul and Busan as well as the Saemaul, Mugunghwa, and Nooriro Trains and this station is even connected to the Incheon International Airport. There is a giant multi-lane bus stop in the front where buses from throughout the city of Seoul pick up and drop off and the light blue and dark blue Seoul subway lines also have stations here.
To Get Around: Make sure you have your T-Money card purchased and topped off and you can use a variety of methods including bus, subway, or taxi to get to and from the area. If you’ll be using the train quite a bit, also look into getting the Korea Rail Pass which is the best budget friendly option if you’ll be going for multiple train trips.
Hotels Near Seoul Station
Millenium Hilton Seoul
With 680 rooms and 29 suites, the hotel features views of the city in every direction from the mountain to Seoul Station. There is a fitness center and indoor 23 meter swimming pool as well as a hotel driving range and a spa to get a massage in. Whether you’re stopping in early or late to catch a train from Seoul Station, this is one of the best places to stay in the area.
This is a good central location to stay if you’ll be traveling and want to have great and easy access to multiple modes of transportation and get amazing treatment at a high quality hotel.
Book your stay at the Millenium Hilton Seoul here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Namsan
Four Points is actually connected right to Seoul Station via an underground passage which makes travel even easier. There is a 24 hour help desk and bar so get help or help yourself while you’re staying in. The staff is extremely helpful and will guide you to the best cafes and restaurants in the area or around the city. Just ask!
Book your room at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Namsan here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
What To See Around Seoul Station
I’m limiting the spots to see to within walking distance of Seoul Station. Because Seoul Station is so central, you can get to so many places easily so the list could go on and on. Just remember that these are spots that you can walk right out of Seoul Station and see, but if you do want to go for a little more of an adventure in the area, then look into visiting Namsan Mountain and N Seoul Tower, or head south and visit the War Memorial of Korea
Culture Station Seoul 284
Did you know there is Seoul Station and there is the original old Seoul Station too? Thirteen some years ago when I first moved to Seoul and was taking my first ride on the KTX, I headed to Seoul Station. I came out of some exit from the Seoul Subway Station that didn’t lead directly into the Seoul Train Station somehow and was right in front of the entrance to the old station and walked right in.
At the time, the old station was refuge to numerous homeless Seoul residents. My friend and I walked into the dark station to find lots of people sleeping or laid out on the floor and quickly realized our mistake and backed out. Oops. Looked to the left to see the new gleaming station and could not get over how we’d missed it in the first place.
Anyway, the original or old Seoul Station is now called Culture Station Seoul 284 and is now home to a pretty cool arts and culture center.
Culture Station Seoul 284 History
This station, designed by Tsukamoto Yasushi of Tokyo Imperial University, was built from 1922 until 1925 and opened September 30, 1925. Called Gyeongseong Station from 1923 when the name of the city of Seoul was changed from Hanseong to Gyeongseong, or Keiji in Japanese, the station was later renamed Seoul Station officially on November 1, 1947.
The station was expanded a bit over time with the Southern Annex being completed on December 30, 1957 and the Western Annex completed on February 14, 1969. When the KTX terminal was opened in a newer building next to it, this site lost much of its functionality as a train station and in 2007 the Cultural Heritage Administration to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to remodel the space and open it as a multidisciplinary cultural facility. The former train station was officially reopened and relaunched as Culture Station Seoul 284 on April 2, 2012.
K Drama Filming Site
This station has been featured in the background of numerous dramas including Abyss (어비스), Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter/Gyeryong Fairy Tale/Tale of Fairy (계룡선녀전) , Smile Again (스마일 어게인), The Fifth Republic/5th Republic (제5공화국), Stairway to Heaven (천국의 계단), We Are Dating Now (지금은 연애중). It was also the setting for Korean films like Will You Be There? (당신, 거기 있어줄래요?)
What You Can See
The space is now home to numerous FREE exhibitions. Any time you’re headed to Seoul Station to take the KTX, give yourself an extra hour and just see what’s going on in Culture Station Seoul 284. You really never know what you might find. The architecture of the building itself is rather regal and beautiful anyway, so stopping in just to gaze at the beautiful and colorful windows and archways is a must.
- Address: 1 Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 통일로 1)
- Hours: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; Last Wednesday of the month: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
- Days: Open Tuesdays – Sundays; Closed Mondays, New Year, Lunar Year, and Chuseok
- Website: You can check out what exhibition is on here: https://www.seoul284.org/
Seoullo 7017
Seoullo 7017 which means “Seoul Road” and the combination of 1970 when the road was originally built and 2017 when it was reopened as a pedestrian walkway, is a must visit when you’re near Seoul Station. Now a public park, this walkway was a road that was set to be demolished in 2015 but Mayor Park Won Soon suggested turning it into an urban park similar to New York City’s High Line Park and the seed was planted.
The path has 17 exits that lead into the nearby districts and along the way are planters that provide an industrial forest to walk through. There are also bouncy spots for kids and water holes to stick your feet into to cool off in the summer. There are cafes with views and a couple eateries too.
There are 645 giant concrete pots that have trees, flowers, and other plants that overflow in the summer and at one end is a gallery and souvenir shop. It’s a great spot for visitors to visit to get views of the trains coming and going, to let kids run around away from traffic, and there is a great view of both old and new Seoul Station from there too.
If you visit in the evening, the Seoullo pathway is also lit with neon lights and there are light installations on buildings in the area too check out as well.
For more information on Seoullo 7017, check out this guide to Seoullo 7017 and find out what else you can find there.
Docking Seoul
Docking Seoul is the newest addition to the area and is housed in a spiral ramp that was once a conduit for cars from the road into Seoul Station. Today, you can find this urban and artistic space from Seoullo 7017 or from the rooftop garden of Lotte Mart.
As you walk along the spiral ramp, you’re drawn into a world of immersive art experiences spread across five distinct sections. These sections house seven installations make this a fun quick spot for an exploration.
- Address: Seoul Private Railway Station, 405 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 한강대로 405 경부고속철도서울민자역사)
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 8:00pm
- Admission: Free
Malli-dong Plaza
At the end of one branch of Seoullo 7017 sits Malli-dong Plaza and wanted to emphasize this area because a lot people walk right by not realizing what can be found there. The Installation seen from inside above and from above down below (yeah read that again and it’ll make sense) is a hidden gem for photographers. The steps and mirrors provide a fun and intriguing respite from the busy streets above.
Once you walk in, it’s like the surrounding traffic doesn’t even exist anymore. From time to time there are also events held inside. Watch where you step because the steps are uneven, but have some fun and take a rest inside the next time you visit Seoul Station. This plaza can be found just across the street from the back exit of Seoul Station.
- Address: 22-1 Malli-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (중구 만리동1가 22-1)
Royyal Dog Mural
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that one of my favorite mural artists has a mural in the area. It is just up the road headed south from the station so take a walk to check it out. Royyal Dog has murals around the world and quite a few right here in Korea.
Royyal Dog is a Korean graffiti artist who is best known for murals that feature multicultural women in traditional Korean Hanboks. He has some epic murals all around the world so if you can find more, definitely try to… but start with this one. It’s an easy walk south from the front entrance of Seoul Station toward Sookmyung Women’s University subway station.
- Address: 328 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Once an execution ground for state prisoners, the park is now home to a beautiful museum that is a must-see for any architecture lover. From the mid-Joseon period for 4oo years, the park was an area no one wanted to visit and the executions ended after the Catholic persecutions in 1866. Because of the history and the connection to Catholicism, this museum is an ode to the gruesome history and ther eare some staggering beautiful corridors and spaces to walk through. There are art exhibits and history inside to peruse as well. You could spend quite a bit of time here if you wanted to.
Where To Eat In The Area
There are quite a few fast food restaurants and cafes inside of Seoul Station including McDonalds, Paris Baguette and others but if you want something a bit more delicious and better for you, here are a couple spots we quite enjoy before or after returning from a trip to through Seoul Station.
Very Street Kitchen
This trendy restaurant has an interesting menu that features popular street food items from around the world in an upscale way.
- Address: 205 Mallijae-ro, Jungnim-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (중구 만리재로 205)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00pm ~ 12:00am; Saturday: 12:00pm ~ 3:00pm; 5:00pm ~ 11:00pm; Sundays: CLOSED
Tokkijung Project
Just outside of the main Seoul Station building, but on the corner of the Seoul Station Lotte Department Building is Tokkijung Project. This restaurant has something for everyone and is an easy spot to eat. Their signature dish is a cream curry udon noodle which looks like it has some frosting on top but it’s not sweet at all so don’t be confused by the pictures on Instagram. It’s actually quite delicious. They have other rice and meat dishes as well as hamburg steak sets. Like I said, something for everyone here and it’s delicious.
- Address: 405 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 11:00am ~ 10:00pm
The downtown area of Seoul is a lovely place to take a walk and there is so much to see. After visiting old and new Seoul Station, head down to Jongno and find Sewoon Market were old is becoming new again. Then, get dinner at Gwangjang Traditional Market. It’s time to adventure. Are you ready?
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