Chuncheon's Nami Island, Gongjicheon and Deungseon Falls: How to Plan Lake Walks Around Makguksu and Dakgalbi
A complete rundown of the western Nami Island and Gangchon area, reached by ITX-Cheongchun, and the downtown area of Gongjicheon Sculpture Park and Uiamho Lake
Comparison table at a glance
| Chuncheon area | Key sights | Train station hub | Scenery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Bukhangang island area | Nami Island, Gyeonggang Makguksu | Gapyeong and Gulbongsan stations | Metasequoia and ginkgo-lined avenues |
| Gangchon and Samaksan valley area | Deungseon Falls (Samaksan), Elysian Gangchon | Gangchon and Baegyang-ri stations | Rock-cliff gorges and refreshing waterfalls |
| Downtown Uiamho Lake waterfront | Gongjicheon Sculpture Park, Gongjicheon Recreation Area | Chuncheon and Namchuncheon stations | Lakeside trails, duck boats, outdoor sculptures |
| Downtown rest and lodging area | The Jackson Nines Hotel, Namuhyanggi Kiln Sauna | Chuncheon and Namchuncheon stations | Lakeside downtown lodging and rest at a charcoal kiln sauna |
1. Morning Route: A Metasequoia Walk on Nami Island and Gyeonggang Makguksu Full of Buckwheat Aroma
Nami Island, the symbol of a Chuncheon trip, is a half-moon-shaped island cultivated in its entirety like one giant arboretum. Once you cross by boat from the dock, the soaring metasequoia road, the Songpa Ginkgo Road and riverside trails continue on flat ground, offering picture-perfect scenery whenever you walk, in any season.
After your Nami Island walk, we recommend Gyeonggang Makguksu in Namsan-myeon near the dock for lunch. Mix the nutty buckwheat noodles with sweet-and-spicy sauce, crumbled laver and sesame salt, or pour over cool dongchimi (radish water kimchi) broth, and the fatigue of travel melts away at once.
Nami Island · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip If you enter Nami Island between 9 and 10 a.m., before the tour groups arrive, you can take relaxed photos in the middle of the tree-lined avenue.
2. Afternoon Route: A Gorge Walk at Samaksan's Deungseon Falls and Lakeside Leisure at Gongjicheon Sculpture Park
In the afternoon, stop at Deungseon Falls at the entrance to Samaksan before heading into Chuncheon's downtown lakeside. At Deungseon Falls, a gentle valley path and steel stairs are well maintained alongside falls that pour through a gorge of massive rock cliffs, so without serious hiking gear you can enjoy the refreshing scenery.
Then move on to Gongjicheon Sculpture Park and Gongjicheon Recreation Area, where Uiamho Lake meets the Gongjicheon Stream. Flat waterside paths and bike lanes wind between contemporary sculptures set across the lawns, and at dusk, when a red sunset settles over the calm lake, you can fully savor Chuncheon's romance.
Gongjicheon Jogak Park · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip At Gongjicheon Recreation Area you can ride duck boats or other boats on the lake, and with many roastery cafés and bakeries nearby (such as Gomok), it's a perfect spot for afternoon tea.
3. Evening and One-Night Route: Lakeside Downtown Hotels and Healing in a Traditional Kiln Sauna
If you're spending 2 days, 1 night in Chuncheon, have Chuncheon dakgalbi for dinner, then settle in at The Jackson Nines Hotel near Gongjicheon or at Elysian Gangchon, the leisure base in Gangchon. Staying at a downtown hotel makes it very convenient to walk the Gongjicheon night trail after dinner.
If you're traveling with your parents or going in a chilly season, adding an unusual healing course, such as sweating out your fatigue in a pine charcoal kiln at Namuhyanggi Kiln Sauna on the outskirts of Chuncheon, makes for a different kind of fun.
Deungseon Falls (Samaksan) · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes allowed)
Yeohaenggak editor's tip ITX-Cheongchun trains often sell out 1–2 weeks in advance on weekends and holidays, so book your departure from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni and your return tickets first.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. Is Nami Island administratively part of Chuncheon or Gapyeong?
Nami Island itself is administratively in Bangha-ri, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon State, but the ferry dock and its parking lot are near Gapyeong Station in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, so it's a popular part of travel courses for both cities.
Q. How should I choose between griddle dakgalbi and charcoal dakgalbi in Chuncheon?
If you want cabbage, rice cakes and sweet potatoes stir-fried in spicy sauce, finished with udon noodles and fried rice, we recommend griddle dakgalbi downtown (such as the Myeong-dong Dakgalbi Alley); if you want clean juiciness and charcoal aroma, we recommend charcoal dakgalbi around Sinbuk-eup and the riverside.
Q. Is there parking at Gongjicheon Sculpture Park, and is there an admission fee?
Gongjicheon Sculpture Park and Gongjicheon Recreation Area are open free of charge year-round, and you can conveniently use the nearby public parking lots.
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