* Some attractions subject to closure or limited entrance due to COVID-19. Please check before visiting.
Korea Tour by Seoul Subway Line 8
【 Photo: Seokchonhosu Lake & Lotte World Tower 】
Connecting the southeastern part of Seoul from Amsa-dong in Seoul to Seongnam in Gyeonggi-do, subway line 8 has a plethora of tourist destinations from a UNESCO World Heritage Site to other cultural, artistic and historical attractions. The area around Lotte World and Songpa Naru Park (Seokchonhosu Lake) has been designated as a special tourism district in Seoul for being a one-stop destination for shopping, leisure and entertainment.
Take a relaxing stroll through Olympic Park and then stop by Soma Museum of Art to appreciate masterpieces by world renowned artists. Try haggling with the merchants at Garak Market, Seoul's biggest farmers market. Namhansanseong Provincial Park is definitely the hidden attraction of line 8, offering a spectacular night view of the city.
Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong features houses and relics from the Neolithic Age. The site offers an exhibition hall, where visitors can see and learn about primitive lifestyles, as well as outdoor dugout huts and an experience village. The walk from the entrance to the exhibition hall is particularly beautiful, passing through a forest of dense pine trees and elegant zelkovas, where people can spread out mats and have picnics.
Mongchontoseong Station, Exit 1, approx. 5-min walk
Olympic Park features themed gardens such as Rose Garden, 88 Green Pasture and Sculpture Forest. You will be pleasantly surprised when stumbling upon art sculptures by international artists throughout the park. The park also offers many opportunities to enjoy culture and history through Soma Museum of Art, Seoul Baekje Museum, Mongchon Museum of History and the many concerts held at Olympic Park Stadium. The park is large, so be sure to stop by the information desk to pick up a map. You can add fun to your trip and visit all nine of the park’s main attractions by participating in the stamp tour. If you don’t have the time to look around all nine attractions, at least stop by the popular One Tree Hill for an amazing photo opportunity!
Lotte World is an entertainment complex with an amusement park, shopping mall, various dining options, a folk museum and more. Lotte World Magic Island features European-style buildings and is beautiful even at night, when the lights reflect off the waters of Seokchonhosu Lake. The indoor ice skating rink is a popular attraction, open all year round. Located next to Lotte World is Lotte World Tower & Lotte World Mall, attracting many visitors with its large-scale shopping mall, which includes an aquarium, movie theaters, restaurants, and other shops.
Seokchon Station, Exit 1 or 8, approx. 20-min walk
People flock to Songpa Naru Park in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom for the annual Seokchonhosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival.Outside the cherry blossom period, many citizens enjoy taking leisure walks or jogging around the lake. The lakeside promenade is also well sought by couples for its beautiful night view. The Songpa Tourist Information Center near the lake offers information on nearby attractions in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.
Garak Market Station, Exit 1 or 2, approx. 3-min walk
Garak Market offers fruits, vegetables, and seafood products shipped directly from the producers and sells them through auction overnight. Watching the items sell at a thrilling pace will leave even spectators breathless. The seafood section in Garak Mall is a good place to buy seafood at an affordable price.
Namhansanseong Station, Exit 1, approx. 30-min by bus (No. 9)
Line 8 is connected to Gwangju in Gyeonggi-do, the site of Namhansanseong Fortress. Registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2014, Namhansanseong Fortress is one of Korea’s representative fortresses, along with Bukhansanseong Fortress.The fortress’ walking course, Dulle-gil Trail, is divided into five sections that run through the park. The trail provides fantastic vistas of the city, with a stunning view from Seomun Gate in the evening. Stop by the Visitors Center near the Temporary Palace at Namhansanseong Fortress for information in English, Japanese and Chinese, and enjoy some of Korea’s traditional foods at Traditional Food Town around Namhansanseong Fortress.
This page was last updated on August 24, 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.
【 Photo: Seokchonhosu Lake & Lotte World Tower 】 
