COEX & Samseong

COEX is the convention and shopping complex at Samseong Station. COEX Mall connects underground to Samseong Station (Line 2) and Bongeunsa Station (Line 9), with Starfield Library in the middle of it. Bongeunsa Temple is across the street, and both are free to enter.

The area is an office district by day and goes quiet after about 9 PM outside the mall. It works as a base for COEX, Bongeunsa and Jamsil, but the historic center around Bukchon and Insadong is an hour or more each way.

Below: the mall and library, the temple, where to eat, a one-day route, hotels and the stations you will use.

Main stations	Samseong (Line 2), Bongeunsa (Line 9)
Free to enter	Starfield Library and Bongeunsa Temple
How long	4–5 hours for Bongeunsa and the nearby COEX stops
Busiest day	Saturdays at Bongeunsa; Sundays are the quietest

Must-see

Neighborhoods

COEX Mall & Starfield Library

Starfield Library is free, with no ticket or reservation. Mornings shortly after opening and evenings near closing are the quietest times for photos, and many of the books on the upper shelves are decorative.

Station: Samseong (Line 2); Bongeunsa (Line 9)

• Starfield Library COEX: Hours, Free Entry & Photo Tips
• Samseong Station: A Guide to Seoul’s Modern Hub

Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa is reached from Samseong Station Exit 5 or 6, or Bongeunsa Station Exit 1. Hats, sunglasses and revealing clothing are not allowed inside the temple halls.

Station: Samseong (Line 2), Exit 5 or 6; Bongeunsa (Line 9), Exit 1

• Bongeunsa Temple: 7 Things to See Near Samseong Station

Eat here

Most of the COEX Mall restaurants can be reached from the subway without stepping outside. More areas are on our Where to Eat in Seoul page.

Itineraries through this area

• One Day in Gangnam: Samseong to Apgujeong Itinerary: Starfield Library and Bongeunsa in the morning, then Garosu-gil and Apgujeong Rodeo.

Where to stay in this area

Getting there

• Samseong (Line 2): COEX, Starfield Library and Bongeunsa (Exit 5 or 6)
• Bongeunsa (Line 9): Exit 1 for the temple

New to the subway or buses? Seoul Subway Guide: T-money Card, Fares & How to Ride · How to Ride Seoul Buses: Colors, Fares & T-money Guide · How to Take a Taxi in Seoul Using the Kakao T App

Next areas by subway

• Jamsil & Lotte World: Lotte World Tower, Lotte World and Seokchon Lake, east on Line 2
• Gangnam Station, Garosu-gil & Banpo: Gangnam Station, Garosu-gil and the Banpo riverside

Photos on this page: Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr), Korea Open Government License Type 1. Title graphics: Korea Visiting.