After-school route at Hanyang Univ. | From Wangsipli eateries to Seongsu shopping and a Seoul-forest Han River walk

Hanyang University, located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, is a well-regarded engineering university in Korea and is also very conveniently located for transportation.

After your Korean classes at Hanyang University, if you want to truly enjoy study abroad life, you do not need to go all the way to somewhere far. Starting from the International Building, you can head to Wangsimni for a hearty lunch, check out the hottest streets in Seongsu-dong, then continue on to a stroll at Seoul Forest or Ttukseom Hangang River Park. It is a route that Hanyang University Korean Language Program students can enjoy on weekday evenings without any burden.

So today, we will introduce an after school route through Wangsimni, Seongsu, and Seoul Forest that Hanyang University students absolutely need to save!

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1. Hanyang University | Location and nearby area

Hanyang University is on Seoul Subway Line 2, so it is easy to head to nearby neighborhoods after class. Wangsimni is within walking distance from Hanyang University, and from Hanyang Univ. Station, Ttukseom is one stop away and Seongsu Station is two stops away, making it an easy trip even on weekdays.

If you want a filling meal, go to Wangsimni, if you want a quiet stroll, head to Seoul Forest, and if you are looking for lots of pop-ups and cafes to check out, visit Seongsu-dong. Without going far, you can enjoy dining, shopping, and walking all in one go, which makes it perfect for making the most of your time after class.

(1) Wangsimni

• On foot: about 15 to 20 minutes
• Bus: From the Hanyang Univ. Main Gate stop, take bus 2014, 2222, or 2012 toward Wangsimni Station, about 8 to 10 minutes
• Highlights: Packed with restaurants, cafes, malls, and movie theaters, the best place to meet up near campus!

Wangsimni is the most familiar day-to-day area for Hanyang University students. It is great for grabbing a meal with friends after class or going to a cafe, and it is also convenient for shopping for essentials or catching a movie.

Wangsimni Station is especially convenient because it is a major transfer hub served by Line 2, Line 5, the Gyeongui Jungang Line, and the Suin Bundang Line, so you can easily get anywhere in Seoul. It is directly connected to shopping and culture spaces like Enter-6 and Bitplex, which makes it a great spot to hang out even after a good food tour!

(2) Ttukseom / Seoul Forest

• Bus: From the Hanyang Univ. Main Gate stop, take bus 121 toward Seoul Forest, about 20 minutes
• Subway: From Hanyang Univ. Station, take Line 2 → get off at Ttukseom (1 stop) → about a 10-minute walk to Seoul Forest
• Highlights: After stopping by great restaurants and cafes around Ttukseom, you can walk to Seoul Forest, a perfect route to enjoy a meal, cafe time, and a stroll all at once.

If you want to get some fresh air after class, head to Seoul Forest. Around Ttukseom, there are plenty of great places to eat and stylish cafes, so it is an ideal route to grab a meal or coffee with a friend and then walk over to Seoul Forest.
Seoul Forest sits right in the middle of the city, but with its trees, wide lawns, and well-laid walking paths, even just sitting and taking a break feels deeply refreshing.

(3) Seongsu-dong

• Bus: From the In front of Hanyang Univ. Main Gate stop, take bus 2014 toward Seongsu-dong, Seoul Forest, about 25 to 35 minutes
• Subway: From Hanyang Univ. Station, take Line 2 → get off at Seongsu Station (2 stops)
• Highlights: One of Seoul’s top trend neighborhoods, where you can enjoy pop-up stores, brand shops, cafes, exhibitions, and workshops all in one place.

Seongsu-dong is a unique neighborhood that still holds onto the vintage vibe of its old factories and warehouse buildings. Now, it is also one of the places where trends change the fastest in Seoul!
Between red brick buildings, you will find stylish cafes, brand showrooms, exhibition spaces, and pop-up stores, so there is plenty to see even just by walking around.

2. Wangsimni | Hanyang University student area and restaurants

Wangsimni is one of the most familiar neighborhoods for Hanyang University students. Around campus, you will find everything from snack bars and home-style set meal spots that are perfect for a quick solo bite, to jjimdak, BBQ, and gopchang places that are great to visit with friends.

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⭐️ What makes Wangsimni restaurants special

Great value, just like a student area should be
Because it is a student district, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy a hearty meal at a relatively affordable price.

Lots of menu options
From lighter Korean comfort foods like gimbap, noodles, and stews, to jjimdak, BBQ, and gopchang, there is a wide variety to choose from.

⭐️ Wangsimni nearby restaurant picks

(1) Akeo Tteokbokki (악어떡볶이)

• Address: 서울 성동구 마조로 33 (Seoul Seongdong-gu Majoro 33)
• Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-21:00 (Closed every Monday)

When talking about must-visit tteokbokki spots near Hanyang University, Akeo Tteokbokki is a place you simply cannot leave out. Their tteokbokki is classic Korean-style tteokbokki with a gentle sweetness balanced with a spicy kick, and it is not overwhelmingly hot, so it is easy to enjoy.
The sauce is rich and savory, making it a great match not only with the chewy rice cakes, but also with fried sides, gimbap, and fish cake. It is also perfect for sharing a few different dishes, so it is highly recommended for a visit with friends.

(2) Idon-jip (이돈집)

• Address: 서울 성동구 마조로3길 7 ( Seoul Seongdong-gu Majoro 3-gil 7)
• Hours: Daily 11:00-22:00

On days when you are craving a filling meal, Idon-jip is a great choice. It is a Korean restaurant where you can enjoy generous portions of familiar favorites, even for locals, like kimchi jjigae, samgyeopsal, and spicy stir-fried pork.
Kimchi jjigae alone is satisfying, but if you are visiting with a group, try ordering a set that comes with samgyeopsal or spicy stir-fried pork as well. It is great for sharing, and a solid way to enjoy a proper Korean-style meal.

(3) Jeil Gopchang (제일곱창)

• Address: 서울 성동구 고산자로 281-1 (Seoul Seongdong-gu Gosanjaro 281-1)
• Hours: Tue-Sun 12:00-24:00 (Closed on Mondays)

If you are in Wangsimni, you also cannot miss the Wangsimni gopchang alley, where specialty gopchang restaurants are clustered together.
Among them, Jeil Gopchang is one of the alley’s signature spots. If you order the assorted gopchang, you can try a variety of hanwoo gopchang, daechang (large intestines), makchang (tripe), and yeomtong (beef heart). Enjoy the golden grilled gopchang with chives, then finish with fried rice for an even more satisfying meal.
There may be a wait during dinner hours, so try to stop by with some extra time.

The charm of Wangsimni is not only about hunting down famous eateries. After class, just walking through the alleys with friends and chatting, “Which place should we try today? ” can become one of the memorable parts of life in Korea.

3. Seongsu-dong | From an old factory district to Seoul’s trend hub

Seongsu-dong was once an area known for its many factories and handmade shoe workshops. Even today, you can still feel the atmosphere of red-brick buildings and workspaces, but stylish cafes, brand showrooms, exhibition spaces, and pop-up stores have moved in between them, transforming it into one of Seoul’s signature trend districts.

The unique charm of Seongsu-dong is how the texture of an old city and fresh brand experiences coexist side by side.

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🛍️ Suggested shopping route

(1) Around Seongsu Station Exits 3 and 4

You may have heard people say, “Let’s go check out Seongsu-dong,” but once you actually get there, it can be hard to know where to start. Seongsu-dong covers a larger area than you might expect, so if you have not picked specific brands to visit, it is recommended to start from Seongsu Station Exits 3 and 4.

Around these two exits, you will find everything from seasonal brand pop-up stores to designer brand showrooms and charming lifestyle shops. If you are into shopping or the latest trends, this is an area where simply wandering slowly, even without a specific goal, is plenty fun.

In the direction of Seongsu Station Exit 3, there is a cluster of fashion, accessories, and beauty brand stores, including Musinsa Kicks, NewNew House Seongsu Station Branch, Stand Oil, and Musinsa Empty Seongsu, making it a great place to kick off your shopping route.

In the direction of Seongsu Station Exit 4, you will find Olive Young N Seongsu, a large hands-on beauty store. If you walk straight from the exit toward Yeonmujang-gil, the street is lined with pop-up stores and showrooms for a wide range of beauty, clothing, and fashion brands, making it perfect for taking in Seongsu-dong’s latest trends at a glance.

(2) Yeonmujang-gil (연무장길)

Yeonmujang-gil is one of the main streets where you can best feel Seongsu-dong’s distinctive vibe. It gets lively with crowds not only on weekends but also on weekdays, so it is a great place for a walk while soaking up Seongsu’s energetic atmosphere.
Everything is here, from fragrance and beauty brands to clothing, shoes, and lifestyle labels, plus unique cafes. Even if you do not have a set destination, simply strolling through the alleys at a relaxed pace is more than enough to enjoy it.

In Seongsu-dong, there are plenty of workshops where you can do more than just shop, you can also make your own perfume, rings, or ceramics. If you want to spend some special time creating something with your hands, try adding a workshop experience to your Seongsu outing.

You will also find four-cut photo booths and self-photo studios all around, so if it feels like a shame to leave after just shopping, it is a great idea to take photos with friends or pick up a small souvenir you made yourself. Even an ordinary after-school afternoon will turn into a much more memorable moment.

💡Seongsu-dong Visit Tips

• Pop-up stores and workshops often change their operating period, reservation method, or closed days, so we recommend checking their official social media or a map app to confirm whether they are open that day before you go.
• Seongsu-dong gets very crowded on weekends, and popular cafes, restaurants, and pop-up stores often have long waits. We recommend visiting on a weekday when it is usually less busy.

🛍️ Seongsu Shopping Course Guide

4. Seoul Forest, Ttukseom Hangang River Park | A relaxing walk to unwind

If you’ve spent time shopping and café hopping in Seongsu-dong, try ending your day with a walk that continues on to Seoul Forest or Ttukseom Hangang River Park.

(1) Seoul Forest (서울숲)

• Address: 서울 성동구 뚝섬로 273 (273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul)
• Subway stations: Line 2 Ttukseom Station, Suin Bundang Line Seoul Forest Station
• From Hanyang University: Take Line 2 at Hanyang Univ. Station → Get off at Ttukseom Station (1 stop) → About a 10-minute walk
• From Seongsu-dong: From around Seongsu Station and Yeonmujang-gil, take bus 2412, 2413, 2224, or the Seongdong 13 neighborhood bus, or walk about 25 to 30 minutes

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Seoul Forest is a large park, so the vibe and walking route can feel quite different depending on which entrance you use. You can get off at Ttukseom Station and stroll in at a relaxed pace, or if you’re taking the Suin Bundang Line, you can hop off at Seoul Forest Station and head straight in.

Each season has its own charm, with cherry blossoms and tulips in spring, deep greenery in summer, ginkgo trees and autumn foliage in fall, and calm, cozy walking scenes in winter. The park is divided into different zones with their own sights and plants, so it’s worth checking the map and picking a route ahead of time to make your visit even more rewarding.

It’s a great place to stop by when you want to clear your head after class, or on days when you just want to walk and chat quietly with a friend.

(2) Ttukseom Hangang River Park (뚝섬한강공원)

• Address: 704-1 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
• Subway station: Line 7 Jayang Station
• From Hanyang University: Take Line 2 at Hanyang Univ. Station → Get off at Konkuk Univ. Station → Transfer to Line 7 → Get off at Jayang Station → About a 1-minute walk from Exit 2 or 3
• From Seongsu-dong: From around Seongsu Station and Yeonmujang-gil, take bus 2014 and get off at the Jayang 4-dong Depot stop, or take bus 2412 or 2222 and get off at the Jayang Wooseong Apartments Front stop, then head to the park

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It’s perfect for sitting back on a picnic mat while enjoying wide-open Hangang River views and the sunset, or for picking up snacks and drinks at a convenience store for something simple. On a nice day, you can also grab takeout chicken or easy-to-carry food and enjoy a picnic.

The park has a variety of facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool, a music fountain, a climbing gym, and a skateboard park. Depending on the season, the outdoor pool may run in summer, and sledding hills or ice rinks may open in winter. At night, events like the Hangang River drone light show are sometimes held, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule before you go.

Wrap up your day while taking in Seoul’s night views and the refreshing breeze off the Hangang River. Even in the middle of a busy language school routine, it’s a great way to find a little time to yourself.

5. Wrap-up

• Recommended route: Hanyang University International Hall → Lunch in Wangsimni → Shopping around Seongsu Station → Enjoy the sunset at Ttukseom Hangang River Park
• Estimated time: About 4 to 6 hours
• Best time to go: On a weekday after classes end, or Friday evening

Studying abroad at Hanyang University is about more than just Korean classes. After checking out today’s trending brands in Seongsu-dong, enjoy the delicious desserts and drinks at a cafe, then unwind and wrap up your day at Seoul Forest or along the Hangang River, it can turn into a really special memory.
Start by exploring slowly around campus and save your own favorite restaurants, cafes, and walking routes one by one. Before you know it, life in Seoul, which once felt unfamiliar, will become a comfortable and fun everyday routine.

That’s it for our after-class route guide for Hanyang University language institute students. We hope this helps make your study abroad life in Korea even more enjoyable!

Hanyang University Language School 🏫