Nami Island is a must-go when in South Korea — right here’s the best way to totally maximise your journey!
Final up to date: 8 Feb 2022
Situated in Gapyeong (가평), Nami Island (남이섬) is lower than two hours from Seoul. It’s filled with beautiful points of interest, like the Backyard of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원). There’s additionally the colorful, European-style buildings of Petite France (쁘띠프랑스). No marvel Okay-dramas have used these spots as filming areas!
Right here’s a sneak peek of what you possibly can uncover on a day journey to Gapyeong:
Learn additionally: 8D Singapore-South Korea VTL Itinerary Underneath S$2.9k incl. Covid Bills
You’ll be able to cowl this common day journey by yourself with some cautious planning. That mentioned, there are additionally all-inclusive excursions which cowl transport from Seoul, in addition to points of interest and entrance tickets.
On this information, we’ll share how we explored Nami Island on our personal. However in case you desire a fuss-free expertise, it’s worthwhile to hop on a tour!
Additionally, bear in mind to pack loads of masks as mask-wearing is necessary indoors and outdoor. Right here’s a helpful information for important issues to notice earlier than flying to South Korea 😉
1) The way to get from Seoul to Gapyeong Station
Listed below are a few methods you will get to Gapyeong, starting from least expensive (in case you’re not quick on time) to essentially the most handy.
(1) Subway/Metro
Yongsan Station (용산역) → Sangbong Stn (상봉역)
Switch to Gyeongchun Line
Sangbong Stn (상봉역) → Gapyeong Stn (가평역)
Time: 95mins
Value: ~₩2,350/pax (~S$3)
(2) ITX-Cheongchun
Yongsan Stn (용산역) → Gapyeong Stn (가평역)
Examine the schedule from the Korail reserving web page by typing Yongsan and Gapyeong below the ‘Departure/Arrive’ fields.
Time: 60 minutes
*Free for Korail Cross holders
(3) Shuttle Bus
For individuals who desire a easy, fuss-free approach of attending to Gapyeong from Seoul, this all-inclusive tour could be your greatest wager!
Get picked up from a central location (Hongdae, Myeongdong or Dongdaemun), and shuttle to Gapyeong. The non-public bus that can convey you to points of interest you’d prefer to cowl. Entrance tickets are additionally included, so you possibly can head straight inside!
2) Travelling inside Gapyeong
In the event you’re exploring Nami by yourself, there’s a Gapyeong Metropolis Bus that runs hourly from 9AM – 7PM. It begins at Gapyeong Station and covers Nami Island’s common points of interest.
For a flat fee of ₩8,000 (~S$9), buy the Gapyeong Bus Cross from the bus captain for limitless rides inside a day. Maintain this ticket and present it to the bus captain at each pickup level.
The bus comes at intervals of half-hour to an hour. It’s often packed from 10AM – 2PM, so attempt to attain the bus cease sooner than scheduled. Miss a bus, and also you may not have the ability to go to an attraction (or two) as the following bus will arrive in an hour.
We made a mistake and took a bus within the WRONG path whereas at Nami Island. That price us two-and-a-half hours of ready and discovering our approach again. Because of this, we missed our rail bike reserving at 5PM!
I’ll go into particulars later, however right here’s the Gapyeong intercity bus route. Do familiarise your self with it — it’ll prevent from making our mistake!
Intercity Bus course A
Schedule of Gapyeong Intercity bus:
3) The perfect DIY itinerary
In the event you’re planning to cowl Nami by yourself, you possibly can comply with what we tried. To be able to cowl all 4 areas, we began our day at 5AM and spent a most of two hours at every spot.
To be sincere, our schedule is fairly bold. So in case you’d quite take it simple, you would possibly need to take away one exercise or join an all-inclusive tour.
6:00AM – 6:55AM: Take ITX from Yongsan, Seoul to Gapyeong
7:00AM: Take the Intra-city (Inexperienced) bus* for Gapyeong Wharf at ₩1,100 (~S$1) or take a taxi for ~₩4,000 (~S$4)
7:35AM: Take the primary ferry to Nami Island (from Gapyeong Wharf)
7:45AM – 9:50AM: Discover Nami Island
10:00AM: Take the ferry again to Gapyeong Wharf
10:25AM – 10:50AM: Take Gapyeong Metropolis Bus (Reverse GS25) to Petit France
11AM – 12:45PM: Discover Petit France
12:50PM – 1:35PM: Take Gapyeong Metropolis Bus to the Backyard Of Morning Calm
1:40PM – 3PM: Discover Backyard of Morning Calm
3:05PM – 4:22PM: Take Gapyeong Metropolis Bus to Gapyeong Rail Bike Park
5:00PM: Gapyeong Rail Bike
7:28PM – 8:24PM: Take ITX again to Seoul (reserve seats for this practice within the morning)
First cease: Nami Island (남이섬)
There are two methods to get to Nami Island: A ferry from Gapyeong Wharf, or zip-lining. Do be aware that the zip-line is simply one-way, and also you’ll have to depart the island by ferry. Ferries go away each half-hour from 8AM – 9AM, and each 10-20 minutes between 9AM – 6PM.
Nami Island has been attracting many Okay-drama lovers for the reason that early 2000s. It was popularised by Winter Sonata 겨울연가 (2002), an iconic Okay-drama that actually ignited the Korean Wave worldwide.
Strike a pose with auntie-killer Bae Yong-Joon’s life-sized copper statue!
Nami Island is an hour’s drive from Seoul metropolis. It’s the proper place for anybody who needs to flee from the fast metropolis tempo and simply loosen up inside nature.
A preferred website for marriage ceremony shoots
Spot free-roaming bunnies and squirrels whilst you’re at Nami Island too!
Right here’s a squirrel chilling between two kimchi huts.
Do cease by the outdated rail tracks to take images with ostriches on the island!
The redwood timber of Metasequoia Highway and Central Korean Pine Tree Lane are a few common picture spots. The tall, majestic timber simply appear to go on and on endlessly.
Nami is exceptionally lovely throughout Autumn. Rows of pine and maple timber flip purple and remodel the island into an enormous pumpkin spice latte. We had been there in early Autumn and the foliages had been nonetheless inexperienced. However in Nov, Nami Island comes alive in a sea of purple and gold!
Nami Island in Autumn. Picture credit score: @guide5111 by way of Instagram
Feeling peckish? Attempt the hotteok (호떡) — a preferred Korean purple bean pancake — from the Nami Island Sonata Cafe at ₩1,500/computer (~S$2). The hotteoks are freshly ready, and make an incredible deal with after the lengthy walks round Nami Island!
Enjoyable truth: Nami Island declared its “cultural independence” on 1 Mar 2006. This imaginary “nation” has invented its personal passport, forex, stamp, and even phone card!
Picture credit score: Klook
Whereas Nami Island could be explored on foot, there are different modes of transport that may prevent some strolling and time. There’s the Story Tour Bus, UNICEF Charity Practice, Sky-bike and Electrical Tri-way bikes. Adventurous souls may even get on an exhilarating forest zip-line in Nami Island!
Value: ₩13,000/pax (~S$15), inclusive of ferry and entrance
Opening Hours: 7:30AM – 9:40PM
Lunch at Arisu (아리수)
There are a few meals stalls across the ferry terminal. Nonetheless, in case you’re searching for a full meal, there’s a dakgalbi restaurant close to the bus cease. It’s a blue constructing with two massive chimpanzees on it, therefore it’s laborious to overlook.
Whereas we didn’t have our lunch there, we learn that the dakgalbi (닭갈비), or spicy stir-fried hen, is scrumptious and fairly priced.
Picture credit score: 정실짱
Do take your meals earlier than heading to Petite France and Backyard of Morning Calm, as there are restricted meals choices round these areas.
Second Cease: Petite France (쁘띠프랑스)
Petite France is a French cultural village. It showcases classic European trinkets, equivalent to century-old dolls and puppets, antiquities, furnishings and orgels (musical instrument). Getting into Petite France, you’ll really feel transported to a distinct time interval.
Whereas Petite France can be essentially the most touristy, it’s undoubtedly value a go to as the colorful buildings’ facade make an incredible backdrop for images.
There are a number of free performances such because the Orgel Demonstration, Guignol French Hand Puppet present, Marionette Czech String Puppet present, and accordion performances by the road musician.
Eagle-eyed Okay-drama followers will in all probability recognise Petite France from sequence equivalent to My Love From the Star 별에서 온 그대 (2014), Secret Backyard 시크릿 가든 (2010), and Beethoven Virus 베토벤 바이러스 (2008).
Moreover the enduring vibrant buildings, one other nice picture spot is the Butterfly Park.
Entrance price: ₩10,000/pax (~S$11)
Opening hours: 9AM – 6:00PM (Final entry 5PM)
Third Cease: Backyard of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원)
With 26 themed gardens, the Backyard of Morning Calm is each botanists’ / horticulturists’ / photographers’ dreamland. Whereas we had been there, the chrysanthemums had been in full bloom, which mesmerised us all.
It’s an incredible place for folks to decelerate. Stroll round, and admire the gorgeous flowers and landscapes inside South Korea’s oldest non-public backyard.
Many older of us could be seen brisk strolling, whereas the youthful ones take selfies amongst vibrant beds of flowers round Pond Backyard and Sunken Backyard.
The Backyard of Morning Calm is open all 12 months spherical. Displays are seasonal, so there’s all the time a cause to go to. In Spring, Magnolia, Azalea, and Cherry Blossoms paint the gardens pink. In the meantime, in Summer season, the backyard bursts right into a myriad of colors when Roses, Iris, and Blue Hydrangea bloom.
Our go to in Autumn confirmed us how Chrysanthemums and Maples add a way of heat with their purple fiery petals and leaves. In Winter, synthetic lights make the snow-covered backyard appear to be a magical winter wonderland.
Picture credit score: visitkorea.or.kr
The plain charms of Backyard of Morning Calm have made it a sizzling spot for Okay-dramas and selection reveals. Standard reveals like Love within the Moonlight 구르미 그린 달빛 (2016), You’re Stunning 미남이시네요 (2009), and TVN Taxi 현장토크쇼 택시 (SHINee) had been filmed right here.
Entrance price: ₩9,500/pax (~S$11)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 6PM (closing varies throughout festive interval)
Final Cease: Rail Bike Park (레일파크)
Picture credit score: seoulkorea-tour
There are two rail parks, Gapyeong Rail Park (가평 레일파크) and Gangchon Rail Park (강촌 레일파크). We suggest the one in Gapyeong. It’s extra handy and accessible, because it’s one of many Gapyeong Metropolis Bus stops.
Nonetheless, the views in Gangchon are nicer. The rail goes by three tunnels, whereas Gapyeong solely goes by one.
As talked about, we missed our 5PM reserving for Gapyeong rail bike, and needed to return one other day for it. Do be there no less than 20 minutes earlier than your reserving — they’ll be forfeited if missed (non-refundable nor exchangeable).
Gangchon Rail Park
The way to get to Gangchon Rail Park:
– From Backyard of Morning Calm: Gapyeong Metropolis Bus to Cheongpyeong Terminal, adopted by Subway/Metro to Gimyujeong Stn
– From Seoul, by way of Subway/Metro (by way of Gyeongchun Line): Gapyeong Stn (P134) → Gimyujeong Stn (P138)
Since we returned on a separate day, we headed straight for the Gangchon Rail Park and it didn’t disappoint. Selection reveals like Working Man (런닝맨) and We Received Married (우리 결혼했어요) had been filmed there!
Picture credit score: Klook
There are four-seater and two-seater choices. In the event you’re stepping into a bunch of six, we suggest getting three two-seaters (as a substitute of a four-seater and two-seater) because the bikes exit in batches of sort.
Do be aware that the trip stops at Previous Gangchon Station, which not capabilities. It’s not the one the place you possibly can take the ITX from. A free shuttle bus will convey you again to Gimyujeong station, the place you’ll have to take one cease right down to Gangchon for the ITX.
*Professional-tip: If seat reservations have run out, take the practice from Chun Cheon. It will enhance your probabilities of getting non-reserved seats on the ITX practice.
Value: ₩35,000 (~S$39) for two-seater bike; ₩48,000 (~S$54) for four-seater bike
Opening hours: Begins at 9AM, operates at 1hr intervals.
Gapyeong Rail Park
Picture credit score: Cleeswanders
The complete pedalling course is about 8km, and ends the place you began. Scenes of the film The Letter 편지 (1997) was shot right here.
Value: ₩30,000 (~S$34) for two-seater bike; ₩40,000 (~S$45) for four-seater bike
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM, operates at 1.5hr intervals
The way to get there: Take the subway or ITX to Gapyeong Station, then stroll 30min stroll or take a 5min taxi trip to Gapyeong Rail Park. Alternatively, take the Gapyeong/Chuncheon Bus at Sangbong-dong/Guui-dong to Gapyeong Bus Station (~1.5hr), then stroll 5min to Gapyeong Rail Park
Must you DIY or go on a tour?
For FOMO folks like us who need to cowl every part, our DIY plan would have labored if we caught to all of the bus timings. Sadly, the detour price us one exercise regardless of beginning our day tremendous early.
Right here’s how that will help you determine:
| Professionals | Cons | |
| DIY | – Take pleasure in a comparatively empty Nami Island (in case you go to earlier than 9AM) | – Be conscious about bus timings – Could really feel a bit rushed when overlaying all 4 websites |
| Tour | – Minimal planning required – Skip the queues for entrance tickets! |
– Nami Island could be crowded, as you arrive similtaneously different tour teams – Nonetheless, locations just like the Backyard of Morning Calm is large, so the crowds gained’t spoil your expertise |
We hope you discovered this information useful in planning your excellent day journey from Seoul to Nami island, in addition to all the opposite beautiful sights throughout the Gapyeong space!
Learn additionally: 7D Korea Itinerary for below S$800 — Seoul, Jeonju, Busan
This text was dropped at you by Klook.
