Seoul’s subway line 5 crosses horizontally across the city and connects the city’s western district of Gangseogu with Gangdonggu and Songpagu. Visitors from Japan, China, and other nearby regions may find themselves arriving at Gimpo International Airport, the secondary international airport for Seoul. One way to inexpensively get into the city from Gimpo Airport and vice versa is via the Gimpo Airport Station on this line. While getting into the city from Gimpo Airport, you’ll pass by a number of stations but the first major station will be Yeouido Station providing access to the important business and financial district. The IFC Mall is a popular attraction here as is the Yeouido Hangang Park for a bit of rest and leisure. The very next stop, Yeouinaru Station, gets you to the iconic 63 Building which has an observatory, shops, art gallery, among other attractions.

The neighborhood of Mapo, around Mapo Station, is where beef lovers will want to visit for the many famous marinated beef barbecue restaurants around- many which have been operating for decades. After stuffing yourself, take a pleasant stroll through Hyochang Park which can be accessed via Gongdeok Station. The park is not only beautiful to walk around but it is associated with a number of very important Korean political martyrs and figures including the Kim Koo Museum as well as his burial mound. You can also access two more food alleys near this station- the jokbal (or pig hocks) alley or the jeon (savory battered and fried dishes) alley.

Seodaemun Station will give you access to many historic sites such as Gyeonghuigung Palace or the beautiful and historic Jeongdong neighborhood where you’ll also find Deoksugung Palace. Next to Gyeonghuigung is the Seoul Museum of History which is fantastic to learn about Seoul’s centuries of rich history. Gwanghwamun Station is best known for being right next to Gwanghwamun Square and Gwanghwamun Gate. You can also easily access the boshingak bell or the Cheonggyecheon Stream from here or spend some time with some books at the massive Kyobo Bookstore. Jongno 3ga Station brings you right by attractions such as Insadong, Tapgol Park, the Jongno Avenue of Youth, and the Jongmyo Shrine. The increasingly popular neighborhood of Ikseondong is also accessible from this station.

Do some shopping at Bangsan Market for its many wholesale goods near Euljiro 4-ga Station or go one stop more to the famous Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station for the popular Dongdaemun shopping experience or a visit to the Dongademun Design Plaza. Wangshimni Station is a major transportation hub but there’s also a massive shopping and entertainment store nearby complete with movie theater and sauna. Go a few more stops and get off of Achasan Station to get to the popular Children’s Grand Park, which is popular year-round with families, or take a nice walk up Achasan or Mt. Acha which is less than 300m in height and doable for even novice hikers.

From Gwangnaru Station, you can access Gwangnaru Hangang Park which is a popular destination for biking and jogging. Another park, the Olympic Park, is easily accessed via the Olympic Park Station. This immense park hosts a number of facilities that were used for the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics and has plenty of green space to enjoy a break from urban life. The Baekje Museum, the Seoul Olympic Museum of Art, and earthen fortification of Mongchontoseon from the old Baekje Dynasty are also found within this park’s grounds. K-Pop fans will want to remember this station as some of the stadiums here are popular venues for K-Pop concerts and events.