Seoul/Songpa

Olympic ParkBuilt for the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. A lake, a large field covered with the grass, and a square with sculptures are very popular among visitors. It is frequently visited by brides and grooms to take their wedding pictures. There are a couple of courses that are ideal for jogging or walking. In addition, the outdoor stage and the six stadiums are often used for concerts and other special events. Also a well known modern art museum named SOMA Museum is in the park. It features modern artworks by both Korean and international artists.

Jamsil Sports ComplexThis large sports complex centered around Jamsil Olympic Stadium was built in 1976 and played host to most of the competitions in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Though its heady Olympic heydays are long past, this sports complex is still very much active and frequently hosts various cultural and sporting events, most frequently concerts and baseball games. At Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Doosan Bears and LG Twins are home to this arena. Baseball here is very popular. It is, in fact, probably the most popular team sport in the entire country. You can feel the craze during the match. Booking tickets is tricky for non-Korean speakers. It's probably best to book tickets through an agency or third party instead of directly online.

Lotte WorldThis complex has a Lotte Department Store, a theatre which hosts the show Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy, a Lotte luxury hotel, a large indoor ice skating rick, and a traditional Korean folk museum. However, what it is most famous for is one of the world's largest indoor theme park. Lots of rides, and reopened in the summer of 2007 after a massive reconstruction. Though it may seem attractive on a rainy day, remember that others will have the same idea. Especially on the weekends and on holidays, if it's raining, watch out for mind-numbing lines.

Garak Market

Garden5This is a large, very new mall and shopping complex that is part of the district government's efforts to make Songpa more of a center of culture and commerce. This complex is somewhat of a hybrid, selling both consumer goods and acting as a distribution center for manufacturers and wholesalers.

Lotte Department StorePart of the above-mentioned complex that includes Lotte World, the Lotte Department Store here is your standard Korean Department Store - except, of course, all the other attractions attached to it.

Olympic-roThe stretch of road from the sports complex to Lotte World has a fair number of stores and cafes here, and they're open quite late because of the nearby Sincheon nightlife area (see below). Nothing special, you'll find the typical clothing and gadget stores you find everywhere else.

SincheonSongpa is home to Sincheon (신천), a large nightlife district one street back from Olympic-ro. Note that this is not Sinchon (신촌), another nightlife district that is frequently mixed up because of the name - Sinchon is located in Seodaemun/Mapo, which is the opposite side of the city and mainly caters to university students. Sincheon, on the other hand, is populated more by local businessmen, as in Korea, getting drunk together with co-workers is seen as essential to building working relationships, which is one of the reasons why Korea has such a high rate of drinking. If you are a foreigner working in a Korean office or visiting Korea for a business trip, you may find yourself visiting this neighbourhood.