TravelTips24 : Asia : East Asia : South Korea : Gangwon : Chuncheon
Chuncheon
Chuncheon City is the capital Gangwon (강원, 江原), the northeasternmost province of South Korea. For travelers weary of Seoul's crowds and big city atmosphere, Chuncheon can be an ideal place to spend several days. The area, surrounded by rivers and hills, offers a variety of relaxing outdoor activities and small town pace.
The city is now a popular destination for East Asian tourists as it was featured in the popular Korean drama serial, Winter Sonata.
Travel to Chuncheon & Visa Requirements
- From Incheon International Airport
Reach the city from Seoul's Incheon Internation Airport (ICN) via intercity bus. Tickets available at the bus booth in the arrivals hall at ICN. The approximately length of the bus ride is 2.5 hours (assuming no traffic).
- From Seoul
If traveling from Seoul, buses depart from the Dong Seoul Bus Station. Buses leave regularly every fifteen minutes, between 6 AM and 9:20 PM, and charge a fare of approximately 10,000 Won. To reach the Dong Seoul Bus Station, take the Seoul subway system to Gangbyeon Station and leave through exit number 4. The bus station will be visible across the street. These buses take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours or more depending on traffic.
Buses to Chuncheon also depart from Seoul's Sangbong Bus Terminal once every forty minutes, between 5:40 AM and 9:30 PM.
Regular Train service is also available from Seoul to Chuncheon along the Gyeongchun Line. The train leaves Seoul, from Cheongnyangni Station (Line 1, Cheongnyangni subway stop, Exit 4), every hour and takes just under two hours to reach Chuncheon. There are 21 trains daily departing as early as 5:25am. It is a beautiful trip which winds through the mountains, alongside the rivers and lakes for which the Gangwon region is famous. Arrive early at the station in Seoul if you are unsure of the scheduled time of departure. The price of a one way ticket from Seoul to Chuncheon is 5,600 won ($5.60 USD).
Tours & Getting around Chuncheon
- Taxis
Taxis are the most efficient way of getting around Chuncheon. Taxis are plentiful and you can easily find one within a few minutes if you wait on the sidewalk of most busier streets in the city. You may have trouble catching one if you are on the outskirts of Chuncheon or during rush hour when most are in use. The English word "Taxi" is used in Korean, so it's easy to ask someone where one might wait to find a taxi.
The taxis are identified by a sign mounted on top of the car, but also have a red LED sign with Hangul lettering inside their windshield. If this sign is lit, it signifies that the taxi is available for hire. They turn this sign off when they are already transporting a customer. Stick your arm out to the street as a taxi approaches and they will stop.
Taxis are the best option for short trips through town and are nice when you need door to door service. They are especially helpful when shopping and you have goods to carry with you as you can put them in the trunk or the back seat. Another benefit is when you have multiple people in your group as the fee is the same no matter how many people ride.
- Buses
Though bus numbers are clearly marked and always run the same routes, most are not on any kind of schedule and you could wait 5 minutes or over an hour at a bus stop. They can also become very crowded and you may have to wait for people to get off after several stops before you can acquire a seat. Bus stops are placed throughout the city, but may be a little walk from where you are staying or from your destination. However, buses are more economical when traveling alone or going very far outside the city. Bus fare is typically 1100 won per person. Most Koreans who ride the bus regularly have a chipped card they scan when they board. As a visitor, you will need to put the exact cash into a slot in the front when boarding.
When you approach the stop you need to get off at, press the red button to the right of the exit door located on the passenger side of the bus half way back. This signals the driver to stop and the side doors will open. Exit quickly as it seems they are often off and running again before you can hit the ground.
Chuncheon attractions and sightseeing
- Animation Museum [1]
Korea's only Animation Museum is located in Chuncheon and is worth a visit of a few hours or more. The museum sits directly next to an animation studio. Patrons may also purchase tickets to view a screening of animated Korean short films for 4,000 won. The subject matter mainly pertains to the history of Korean animation, but also highlights animation from other parts of the world, including North Korea, Europe, Japan, and the United States. Although most of the displays are in Korean only, English speakers will still enjoy the variety of media presented. The sculptures outside of the museum, created with used car parts, are a popular photo opportunity.
- Chuncheon city hall [2]
Chuncheon city tours
- Jungdo Island
- Soyang Dam
- Bong Ui Mountain
- Statue Park
Chuncheon souvenirs & shopping
Like past times in America, Koreans rely heavily on small, individual stores to provide goods and services for specific things. The idea of a mega store that sells everything is more recent, but growing in popularity. There are a few of these type of "mega" stores in Chuncheon, making it easy for a foreigner to find most of the grocery and general household items they need.
- Emart
The closest thing to a Walmart equivalent, Emart is a large shopping center with most everything you might need. The lower level is a food court, the second level a department store and additional levels for parking. Emart is located on the south-west side of Chuncheon.
- GS Mart
A bit smaller than Emart, GS mart provides much of the same in terms of product and pricing. GS Mart also has a food court upstairs that includes a McDonalds, making it easy to shop then stop in for lunch or dinner. Many local Koreans seem to prefer GS Mart due to it's "cleaner" and less crowded nature. GS Mart can be found in Myongdong on the east side of Chuncheon.
Chuncheon Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive
- Dakgalbi Street
Chuncheon is known for its Dakgalbi Street, featuring a large number of restaurants that specialize in the dish. Dakgalbi (Hangul: 닭갈비) is a delicious grilled chicken dish with vegetables and topped off with a spicy Gochujang Sauce. Most restaurants will offer both tables with chairs and tables with floor seating. Chicken and vegetables are grilled before you on the table's skillet.
- Other Options
If you are interested in trying other Korean foods, try walking or driving around Chuncheon as there are many restaurants to be found. Note that many restaurants specialize in just one type of food. For example, some restaurants serve only pork, others only chicken, and so on.
The budget traveler can easily purchase instant noodles and other snacks cheaply from convenience stores.
Chuncheon nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs
Chuncheon cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging
Get out
Buses depart regularly to most major cities, including Seoul, from Chuncheon's Bus Station. It may be worthwhile to inquire in advance at the station if unsure of the bus schedules.
Some travelers prefer to use Chuncheon's train station to depart the city. Regular train service is available from Chuncheon to Seoul along the Gyeongchun Line. The train leaves every hour from Nam Chuncheon (Chuncheon Train Station) and takes just under two hours to reach Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul. Cheongnyangni Station connects to Line 1 of the Seoul subway system. The price of a one-way ticket to Seoul from Chuncheon is 5,600 won ($5.60 USD). The train departs at 45 minutes past the hour.
A popular place for locals and other East Asian tourists is Nam-i Island, which consists of tree-lined boulevards that are among the set locations for the popular Korean drama serial, Winter Sonata. Particularly romantic when it snows in the winter, and popular among couples.
Ask for help at the Chuncheon travel forum
This page was last edited at 04:33, on 16 December 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by David Moore and Stacy Hall, Wikitravel user(s) Shaund and Huttite and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.
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