[Harumanbo] Seoul Gangnam Famous Course Path Capturing Young Sensibility and Nature at Once

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides walking course recommendations for subscribers of the ‘One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day One Thousand Characters’ newsletter. The One Day Ten Thousand Steps content is organized daily and monthly by themes, featuring courses recommended by Asia Economy, the government, local governments, experts, and subscribers.

Seoul Garosugil

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Today's ten-thousand-step course is the so-called ‘Famous Street Path’ where you can see notable spots in Gangnam, Seoul. Starting from Exit 6 of Hakdong Station, the route goes through Nonhyeon-dong Furniture Street → Hakdong-ro 11-gil → Hakdong Neighborhood Park → Dosan-daero → Garosu-gil → passing by the Kwanglim Art Center and arriving at Nonhyeon-ro. This course allows you to experience trendy places where young generations gather and enjoy natural scenery all at once.

Coming out of Exit 6 of Hakdong Station, you can see Nonhyeon-dong Furniture Street lined with large furniture stores. It is a street stretching about 500 meters toward Nonhyeon Station. The stores have become larger and more upscale, offering visual attractions through their show windows. In August last year, the Italian ultra-luxury furniture brand 'Giorgetti' opened a flagship store here. In every corner of the furniture stores, you can also enjoy the ‘ArtPrize Gangnam Selected Works,’ a nationwide participatory art competition, adding to the viewing pleasure.

Entering the alley Hakdong-ro 11-gil and following the path with military protection facility barbed wire, you arrive at Hakdong Neighborhood Park. Established in 1992, Hakdong Neighborhood Park is named after the old village name ‘Hakdong,’ which means ‘crane village’ because the village shape resembled a crane. The park features two pavilions, about 20 benches, and a 400㎡ playground, attracting about 150,000 visitors annually. The park’s walking trails are lined with large trees such as ginkgo and strobe pine, enhancing the lush atmosphere.

Passing Dosan-daero, you reach Garosu-gil. Garosu-gil is a leading famous alley nationwide, gathering cafes, restaurants, and boutiques that appeal to the tastes of the 20s and 30s generation. ‘Syarosu-gil’ near Seoul National University Station was named by combining ‘Sya,’ meaning Seoul National University, and ‘Garosu-gil’ in Sinsa-dong.

The next destination is the Kwanglim Art Center. The center is a musical theater located on the 6th to 9th floors of the Kwanglim Church Social Service Building. Passing through here and arriving at Nonhyeon-ro in the direction of Apgujeong Station marks the end of the journey. There are many places around the main roads and alleys where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, so it’s nice to take a short break while walking.