Few hidden places you definitely won’t see on seoul tourist maps

In Seoul, if you are willing to travel a bit through city traffic, maybe get lost, or brave the subways then you can find some hidden treasures.
Many tourists are making an effort to see a wide variety of places – both on the touristy side of things as well as off the beaten path.
Here are a few places you definitely won’t see on seoul tourist maps.


1. Woonni-dong, iksun-dong in jongno-gu seoul

Woonni-dong, iksun-dong are neighborhood where you can see from front gate of changdeokgung palace facing the direction to jongno.
It's just across the road from the Bukchon Hanok Village which is a famous tourist spot and gets too crowded especially on weekend.
Unlike busy street of Bukchon village, these places are quiet and peaceful anytime you visit, almost as if you take a time machine to return to the 70’s Seoul.

Very sporty gallery and clothes shops are hiding in the back ally of this neighborhood.  New artist and designer who once were obsessed with bukchon ,seochon are now turning their attention here.
More and more artists and designers are opening shop or private studio in this area, turning this area into very unique place where 60',70's atmosphere coexist with the latest trends in 2014.
It is where the old meets the new.
Foreign friend of mine who were disappointed with fancy yet tumultuous Insadong and Samcheongdong often say that this neighborhood feels like real look of Seoul "Seoul without make-up".

There are also hidden gem restaurant specializing in pork which only known to locals are scattered through out in the back of alley towards Jongno.


2. Go-To Mall, gang-nam gu seoul

Recently rechristened as the “Go-To Mall,” the Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade is located beneath the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul’s Seocho District. From the terminal you can take a bus basically anywhere in South Korea. Since three subway lines converge here, you can imagine it’s a busy place.

Whereas the Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade’s east end has a diverse selection of goods especially interior decoration, the west end is almost all clothing shops. And despite being located in an affluent part of Seoul, the Arcade is all about trendy fashion, priced cheaply.
Hundreds of boutiques sell bags from 10,000 won, or less than $8, I saw simple printed dresses for 6,000 won and t-shirts and skirts were on sale for just 5,000 won.
Trendy woman's clothing are usually more than 20% cheaper than Myeong-dong,Sinchon and Hongdae and the most popular items, such as T-shirts or leggings are even cheaper than Dongdaemun market in many cases.

If you need to rest your feet or wallet while at the Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade, the food court has several decent inexpensive restaurants, specializing mostly in Korean and Japanese cuisine. Also attached to the Arcade is the 9-story Shinsegae luxury department store. There’s also a multi-screen movie theatre, a bookstore, a J.W. Marriott hotel and several coffee shops. So the next time you need somewhere to go on a rainy day, and a no-frills shopping experience appeals to you, I’d recommend making a day of it at the Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade.

How to get there: Express bus terminal station (고속터미널역 / 高速巴士客运站)(lines 3, 7 and 9) - Walk towards exit 8 and you will find the mall tucked in between the exits.



3. West lake park in yangcheon-gu, Seoul


Covering over 225,000㎡ of land in the southwestern part of Seoul, Seoseoul Lake Park (also known as West Lake Park) was opened in October 2009 to resolve the regional imbalance in the city. The central lake, a fountain that projects a small airplane sound, Mondrian garden where the famous media wall fountain is situated, a large event table that seats 100 people and a recycle garden all carry the themes of ‘water’ and ‘recycling’ that were established through the park development project. Also, Neunggolsan Mountain forest, which separates Seoul and Bucheon, as well as the hiking trails have been restored and added to the park. In addition, there are playgrounds for children, sports facilities including a football field, a basketball court and badminton courts, and a cultural plaza. With its vast space and 24-hour operation, the park provides a relaxing ground for the citizens of Seoul.

I think the best time visiting this park would be nearing sunset.
I've visited many parks around asia and this one ranks high among them :)
Beautiful park indeed.