In this post, I would like to share my actual visit to the Seocho Tourist Information Center, located right in front of Gangnam Station.
If you visit Korea, Gangnam—made famous worldwide by Psy’s “Gangnam Style”—is a must-visit spot! While exploring the area, I discovered a hidden gem where you can get all kinds of useful Korean tourism information. Let me take you inside with me!
Seocho Tourist Infomation Center – Google Maps
Location and Operating Hours
How to Get There & Opening Times
Finding it was a breeze. The center is located right in front of Exit 9 of Gangnam Station (Line 2).
It is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
If you ever visit outside these hours, you can still get friendly multilingual tourist assistance by calling the tourist interpretation hotline at 1330.
What’s Inside: Brochures, Coupons, and Guides
Free Multilingual Brochures and Discount Coupons
As soon as I stepped inside, I was impressed by the wide variety of tourist pamphlets for Seoul and other parts of Korea, as well as duty-free shopping guides. I even picked up several discount coupons tucked inside the brochures, which will definitely come in handy for my trip!
There are also guidebooks available in multiple languages that visitors can take freely.
I noticed they recently added promotional materials for national park hiking courses, which are becoming super popular among foreign tourists these days.
Handy Digital Services & Conveniences
Free Tablets and Mobile Phone Charging
One of my favorite discoveries was the free tablet station. If you ever need to adjust your travel plans on the go or find yourself in a pinch, having free access to tablets is a lifesaver. Korea truly is a digital powerhouse!
And we all know how fast phone batteries drain when traveling. Luckily, they offer free mobile phone charging! In many other countries, you have to pay for charging services or hunt down a cafe like Starbucks, but in Korea, most tourist information centers provide this for free. If your battery ever dies while exploring, don’t panic—just look for an information center.
Exceptional Hospitality and Free Rentals
Friendly Multilingual Staff and Free Rental Services
Right next to the charging station, I noticed hand sanitizer as well. Korea’s public service quality never ceases to amaze me. The staff members were not only fluent in English and other languages, but they were also incredibly welcoming and helpful when I asked a few questions.
They also offer some amazing free rental services:
- Wheelchair rentals for accessibility.
- Picnic mat rentals for free, which is perfect if you are heading to Banpo Hangang Park to relax and watch the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. I definitely recommend taking advantage of this!
Final Tips for Travelers in Seoul
Why You Should Visit Local Tourist Information Centers
There are tourist information centers scattered all over Seoul. Whenever you face an emergency, run out of battery, or need to escape the scorching heat or freezing cold, I highly recommend stepping inside one and asking for help!
1. Major Tourist Attractions & Districts
- Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center
- Location: 1st floor, Hana Financial Group Myeong-dong Annex, 66 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu (Near Euljiro 1-ga Station, Exit 5 & 6)
- Features: Located in Seoul’s ultimate shopping district, offering multilingual assistance and travel guides.
- Gwanghwamun Tourist Information Center
- Location: 145-2 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu (In front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop)
- Hongik University (Hongdae) Tourist Information Center
- Location: Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu (Walking Street)
- Itaewon Tourist Information Center
- Location: Inside Itaewon Station (Line 6)
- Dongdaemun Tourist Information Center
- Location: 247 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu (In front of Goodmorning City Plaza)
- Namdaemun Market Tourist Information Center
- Location: 21 Namdaemunmarket 4-gil, Jung-gu (Near Hoehyeon Station, Exit 5)
- DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) Tourist Information Center
- Location: B2, Design Lab, 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu
- Seocho Tourist Information Center
- Location: Right in front of Gangnam Station (Line 2 & Shinbundang Line, Exit 9)
2. Transportation Hubs (Airports & Train Stations)
- Seoul Station Tourist Information Center
- Location: 2nd floor, Seoul Station, 405 Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu
- Yongsan Station Tourist Information Center
- Location: 3rd floor, Yongsan Station, 55 Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu
- Incheon International Airport Tourist Information Centers (Terminals 1 & 2)
- Location: 1st floor arrival halls (Terminal 1 near Gates 5 & 10; Terminal 2 opposite Gate 3)
- Gimpo International Airport Tourist Information Center
- Location: 1st floor international arrival hall, 38 Haneul-gil, Gangseo-gu