Things to Do in Gangnam Between Dental Appointments
Between appointments at Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, gentle outings work well: walk the UNESCO-listed Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs, visit Bongeunsa Temple, or browse the free Starfield Library in COEX. All are a short ride on Line 9 from Eonju Station, where the clinic sits in front of Exit 3.
Key facts
- The Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 and are closed on Mondays.
- Admission to the royal tombs is ₩1,000 for foreign adults aged 19 to 64, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
- Bongeunsa Temple, founded in 794, is reached from Exit 1 of Bongeunsa Station on Line 9, three stops east of Eonju.
- Starfield Library in COEX is free to enter and open 10:30 to 22:00 daily, according to VisitKorea.
- Eonju Station is not an express stop on Line 9, so take a local (general) train to and from the clinic.
- Lucid Dental Clinic is open until 20:30 on Tuesdays to Thursdays, leaving daytime free for sightseeing on those days.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, Lucid Dental Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul. Last reviewed September 27, 2026.
What can you see near Lucid Dental Clinic?
Quite a lot, all within 15 minutes or so. Lucid Dental Clinic is in the COWAY Building in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station on Line 9, and three of Gangnam's calmest sights lie along the same line or just beyond it.
| Place | How to get there from Eonju | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs | One stop east to Seonjeongneung (Line 9), or use the listed entrance near Exit 10 of Seolleung Station (Line 2 / Suin-Bundang Line) | ₩1,000 (foreign adults 19 to 64) | Quiet walks under trees; closed Mondays |
| Bongeunsa Temple | Three stops east to Bongeunsa Station (Line 9), Exit 1 | Free to enter the grounds | Peaceful courtyards, lanterns, short temple programs |
| Starfield Library, COEX | Bongeunsa or Samseong stations; inside COEX mall | Free | Rainy days, air-conditioned rest, cafes |
| COEX Mall | Same as above | Free to browse | Shopping, soft food options, easy indoor walking |
One practical tip: Eonju is a local-only stop on Line 9. Express trains skip it, so board a general train, or ride an express to Sinnonhyeon or Seonjeongneung and change.
Why visit the Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs?
It is a green, quiet park in the middle of Gangnam's office towers, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. The grounds hold the tombs of Joseon-era King Seongjong, his wife Queen Jeonghyeon, and his son King Jungjong.
The paths are mostly gentle, which suits a day after treatment. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the site is closed on Mondays, and hours change by season: 6:00 to 21:00 from March to October, 6:30 to 17:30 from November to January, and 6:00 to 18:00 in February, with last entry one hour before closing. A small history center explains the Joseon royal tomb tradition in English.
What is Bongeunsa Temple like?
Bongeunsa is a working Buddhist temple founded in 794, facing the glass towers of COEX. It is known for its lanterns and calm courtyards, and entry to the grounds is free.
The temple has offered short cultural programs through the national Templestay organization. Program days and languages change, so check templestay.com or ask the temple before you plan around one. Dress modestly and keep your voice low near the halls.
Is Starfield Library worth a stop?
Yes, especially on a rainy or very hot day. The two-story library in COEX has 13-meter bookshelves, free seating and power outlets, and VisitKorea lists it as open daily from 10:30 to 22:00 with free entry.
COEX itself is a large underground mall with plenty of places to sit and many restaurants, which makes it easy to find soft food after treatment. Our guide on what to eat in Seoul after dental treatment lists dishes to look for.
How should you plan sightseeing around dental treatment?
Save active plans for before surgery or after you have healed, and keep the days right after surgery light. Your comfort and healing come first.
- Front-load the busy sightseeing. If you arrive a day before your first appointment, use it for longer walks or shopping.
- Keep surgery days free. After implants or extractions, plan to rest for the rest of the day.
- Choose gentle outings for days two and three. A slow walk at the royal tombs or a seat in Starfield Library works well.
- Avoid heat and heavy exercise at first. Saunas and jjimjilbang bathhouses, hot yoga, long hikes and heavy lifting can increase swelling or bleeding soon after surgery. Ask Dr. Park when they are fine again.
- Use the late clinic hours. On Tuesdays to Thursdays the clinic is open until 20:30, so you can sightsee by day and come in after.
- Keep your phone charged. Save the clinic's WhatsApp number, +82-10-8354-2975, in case you have a question while out.
For timing by treatment, see how many days dental treatment in Korea takes.
Where can you go for shopping and cafes?
For a relaxed afternoon, head west toward Sinsa-dong's Garosu-gil, a tree-lined street of boutiques, skincare shops and cafes. From Eonju, ride Line 9 one stop to Sinnonhyeon and change to the Shinbundang Line toward Sinsa; your map app will show the current route.
Closer to the clinic, the streets around Sinnonhyeon and Gangnam Station are packed with cosmetics stores, bookshops and dessert cafes, and they stay lively into the evening. If you have just had whitening, this is a good moment to skip the iced americano and try a milk-based drink instead. Shopping days also make easy filler days while you wait for lab work, because you can stop and rest whenever you like.
What about treatments with free days in between?
Some treatments leave natural gaps. With porcelain veneers, for example, there is usually lab time between preparation and fitting, and those are good days to explore. Our veneers service page explains the steps. If you are choosing a base for your stay, our where to stay in Gangnam guide compares nearby areas, and the dentist near COEX and Samseong page gives directions from that side of Gangnam.
Everything else, from payment to airport transfers, is on our international patients page.
Opening hours and fees for attractions can change; check official sites before you go. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required before any treatment.
Book a consultation
Tell us your travel dates and we will suggest an appointment schedule that leaves time to enjoy Seoul. Message Lucid Dental Clinic on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or book at wa.link/luciddental.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk from Lucid Dental Clinic to the royal tombs?
It is a reasonable walk for most people, or you can ride one stop east on Line 9 to Seonjeongneung Station. Use a map app such as Naver Map or KakaoMap for the current walking route.
Is it OK to go to a jjimjilbang after dental surgery?
It is safer to wait. Heat and long soaks can increase swelling and bleeding soon after surgery, so ask your dentist when it is fine for your case.
What can I do on a Monday when the royal tombs are closed?
Bongeunsa Temple and Starfield Library in COEX are both good Monday options. Lucid Dental Clinic is also open on Mondays from 10:00 to 18:00.
Is there anything to do near the clinic in the evening?
Starfield Library stays open until 22:00, and the COEX area has many restaurants and cafes. Eonju and Sinnonhyeon also have plenty of places to eat within walking distance.
Are these attractions accessible for someone recovering from treatment?
Starfield Library and COEX are indoors with elevators and seating. The royal tombs and Bongeunsa have outdoor paths and some slopes, so go at your own pace and bring water.