Today, our destination is Namiseom / Nami Island. Located near Gapyeong City, Gyeonggi-do. We rode Kyungchun Line subway from Seoul to Gapyeong.
From Achasan Subway to Gunja Subway, transfer to line 7, then go to Sangbong Subway transfer to Kyungchun Line to Gapyeong.
It took almost 2 hours, so don’t forget to calculate your time. It’s better if you start earlier.
Along the journey, we can see mountain with their beautiful autumn.
Arrive at Gapyeong, we have to wait for bus shuttle. It only cost 5000 won for 1 day trip. You can hop-off whenever you want to go to some interesting place in there.
Our fisst destination is Nami Island. While waiting for the bust, we take photos around the station. There’s a small garden in front of the station.
Actually, we can ride public bus. But we don’t know the route. We can also ride taxi. But, the shuttle bus cost 5000 won for 1 day. If you still want to go to petite france and other place, I suggest you rode the shuttle bus. But if you only go to Namiseom, you can ride taxi.
Here if you want to wait for public bus or taxi.
A lot of people go to Nami Island. You have to queue to ride the bus. First come first ride. The shuttle bus stop is in front of Tourism Information Centre right in front of the station. Make sure you queue in the front, because you can get a seat inside the bus. It’s hard to stand while ride bus, especially the road to Nami Island full of turn. You can either bus-sick or feel awful looking how the bus driver drove the bus.
It took 15 minutes.
We arrive at Namiseom Shuttle Bus Stop then walk to the Namiseom Parking Lot. Buy the entrance ticket in there. The ticket also used as visa. It cost 10.000 won, but for foreigner, there’s a discount so we only paid for 8.000 won.
Website: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264244
After bought the ticket, we queue to ride a ferry to Nami Island. We passed Imigration.
Then we ride a ferry. The scene is beautiful. It’s so many people because Nami Island is one of top tourism in Korea. Just make sure you got a place in the side of the ferry boat. So you can enjoy the scene.
Address:
1024, Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (Naminara Republic Immigration Control Office)
경기도 가평군 가평읍 북한강변로 1024 (출입국관리사무소)
Namiseom Island was formed as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam. It is a half moon shaped (462,809㎡) isle, and on it is the grave of General Nami, who led a great victory against the rebels in the 13th year of the 7th king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejo (reign 1455 ~ 1468).
Namiseom Island is 63 km away from Seoul in the direction of Chuncheon, and is famous for its beautiful tree lined roads. The island is 30 minutes away from Chuncheon and an hour away from suburbs of Seoul. Since it is not far from Seoul, many couples and families come to visit.
A special feature of Namiseom Island is that there are no telephone poles. This is because all electric wires were built underground to keep the natural feeling of the landscape. The complex is 553,560 square yards with chestnut trees and poplar trees around the isle.
In the middle of the isle, there is a grass field about 316,320 square yards. It is composed of education and training facilities, camping sites, swimming pools and water-sports facilities for motorboats and water skiing. There is also a theme park with merry-go-rounds, a shooting range, roller skating rink, and there are lodging facilities such as resort villas and bungalows.
Nami Island is the filming site of Winter Sonata, and it’s very famous. I went there on autumn, and the autumn scene is very beautiful. And I regret to just spend time only a while. I thought it’s better to stay here if you want to enjoy the island.
From Nami Island, we rode shuttle bus to Petite France.
Address:
1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063
After travelling 10 km along the lakeside road from Cheongpyeong Dam, in the direction of Namiseom Island, you will come across a cluster of white, exotic buildings on the left-hand hillside. From its outward appearance, it would appear to be a village that belongs on the Mediterranean coast or in a pastoral area of the Piedmont Alps. This is Petite France, a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside! Petite France serves as both a French cultural village and a youth training facility (Goseong Youth Training Center), and consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture.
The concept of Petite France encapsulates ‘flowers, stars, and the Little Prince.’ The village contains a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943) and as such it is called the Little Prince theme park. It also has a gallery displaying sculptures and paintings of le coq gaulois (the Gallic rooster), the national symbol of France; Orgel House where a 200-year-old music box plays a sweet melody; a shop that sells herbal and aromatic products; a souvenir shop; and many other locales where you can experience French culture. The village can accommodate up to 200 visitors with 34 guest rooms that hold four to ten people each.
Enjoy the marionette experience and hear percussion instruments from around the world, and also enjoy soap bubble experience.
Credit: Petite France Visit Korea
Admission Fee: 8.000 won for adults
Activity Information:
1. Saint-Exupery Memorial Hall: Displays the life of Saint-Exupery, who was a noted author in France, and the writing process of The Little Prince novel.
2. Orgel House: View the orgels (musicbox) collected from all over European countries and enjoy the sound.
3. France Traditional House Exhibition Hall: Experience the 19 century’s French culture inside France Traditional House.
4. Antique Exhibit Hall: Enjoy and purchase antique items, puppets and porcelain from Europe, including France.
5. Marionette Dance Performance: Shows the dance show of marionette of the Czech Republic.
6. Puppet play: A European play for children, comprised of a Guignol and marionette, French and Czech traditional puppets respectively.
7. Appreciating an orgel: Offer an explanation regarding the history of orgels.
8. Plaster art exhibition: Visitors can create plaster arts, painted by themselves with shapes such as the Little Prince or the Eiffel Tower.
I thought that the place is large, but it’s only a small. Not until 1 hour, you have already walk around it. Except if you visit every house. But not all the house is open. And there’s a guesthouse in there, if you want to stay here. If you love France Classics things, then you will love this place.
After walk around, we back to the subway by shuttle bus. This time, we go to Cheongpyeong Station because it’s the nearest from Petite France. We didn’t get a seat, so we standing, and it’s a wrong choice. There’s so many turn on the way, and it’s hard to keep steady inside the bus. One of my friend got sick.
Then we go back to Seoul by Subway.
Cheerful Traveller's Diary 