Seoul’s subway line three, also known as the orange line, is another popular subway line with one end in the city of Goyang, northwest of Seoul and then more or less cutting diagonally to southeast Seoul.

From the northwest portion of line three, you’ll find yourself on the northwestern edges of Seoul. From Gupabal, you can hop onto a bus to get to the start of hiking trails to Bukhansan, which is not only a national park but also Seoul’s highest mountain and famous for its views.

Dongnimmun Station is where Dongnimmun or the Independence Gate is located but it’s also close to the historic yet painful Seodamun Prison History Hall where many prominent Korean independence fighters were detained and tortured. Heading southwards you’ll come across Gyeongbokgung Station which, as the name implies, is the stop you’ll want to get off to access Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s also the easiest way to get to popular neighborhoods like Seochon and Tongin Market or to catch a bus north to head to quaint neighborhoods like Buamdong. Anguk Station is the access point to the north end of the popular shopping street of Insadong but you can also get to the popular area of Samcheongdong and the Bukchon Hanok Village from here.

From Jongno 3-ga Station, you’ll be close to places like the Nakwon Music Arcade, Tapgol Park, and the rising trendy neighborhood of Ikseondong. Or you can walk just a few hundred meters to get to the important Jongmyo Shrine of past royals. Dongguk University Station brings you right to the Dongguk University campus grounds and located nearby is the National Theater of Korea which puts on a dazzling array of traditional, modern, and fusion performances throughout the year.

A few stops later, you’ll get to Apgujeong Station which is known as an affluent neighborhood. A few of Seoul’s top department stores are found here along with the flagship stores of many global luxury brands. One stop away is Sinsa Station which is located close to the trendy street of Garosugil. Known for its shopping and eating, Garosugil is a popular hangout and dating spot and it’s worthwhile to explore the many side streets off the main Garosugil to find the local boutique shops and brands.

The Express Bus Terminal Station is home to a major transportation hub as it’s home to the city main bus terminal that shuttles thousands of passengers to all corners of Korea on a daily basis. The terminal links with an underground shopping mall, department store, book store, and many restaurants so if you’ve got some time to kill before catching a bus, it’s worth exploring. This is the stop you’ll want to get off to either walk or take a taxi to the Floating Islands of Some Sevit and the Banpo Bridge which is known for its Banpo Rainbow Bridge Fountain in warmer seasons. The Banpo Hangang Park is also popular for picnickers, joggers, and bikers of all ages.

The Nambu Bus Terminal Station is also home to a major bus station but it’s also where you’ll want to get off to get to the Seoul Arts Center, the National Center for the Traditional Performing Arts, or the National Gugak Center. These venues are all some of the city’s top places for performing arts so check their homepages for more information on current shows and times. The next stop is Yangjae Station which you can get off and walk to the Yangjae Citizens’ Forest which is popular year-round but is particularly beautiful in the spring when the many cherry blossoms here are in bloom.

A few stops away is Suseo Station which has become a new transportation hub with its new SRT bullet trains that services the southern portion of Seoul to other major cities. Finally, at the second-to-last stop of Garak Market Station, the enormous Garak Market is one of the best in the city for wholesale shopping as evidenced by the many restaurants and shops that purchases goods here in bulk, but is more than fun to simply explore as well!