This bustling café, culture and nightlife area of Seoul is a great place to mingle with Seoul’s students, artists and fashionistas.

With the students of the Ewha Women’s University keeping the local cafés, fashion shops and restaurants on trend, Sinchon is a surprisingly cool little district to explore. Come to this hidden gem if you want to see how the young and trendy live in Seoul.

Browse the area’s alleys lined with cute flower and gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants selling everything from traditional Korean bibimbap (a Korean rice dish) to American fast food and French pastries. Enjoy the local culture of ordering many small dishes with friends for lunch and do as the students do and have a sweet waffle with a coffee or bubble tea afterwards.

Make sure you don’t eat too much though, because while here you may want to try on some of the city’s latest designs in fashion. With the shops usually catering to students, you could get a whole new look here without going way over your budget.

If you feel right at home here, you could even book a hotel stay in Sinchon. The district has so many movie theaters, department stores and cafés that you’ll be entertained for days.

Sinchon is part of Seodaemun-gu, a historic neighborhood with lots of fascinating attractions that go back to the Joseon capital of Hanyang. Seodaemun Independence Park, with the Dongnimmun (Independence) Gate and the historic prison, is a good place to start. There is also the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History and the Bongwon-sa, a Buddhist Temple.

Because Sinchon is a student hub, there is always something new to see and do here, so let the locals point the way. Sinchon Railway Station, which was Seoul’s first train station, is now home to the Sinchon Tourist Information Center, where you can get English language assistance and maps.

Like with most districts in Seoul, it’s best to come here by taxi or subway. The Sinchon stop sits between Hongik University Station and Ewha Women’s University Station and is serviced by Seoul Subway Line 2.