KR · Gangwon · 37.87°N 127.73°E

chuncheon

Lake city of spicy dakgalbi, buckwheat makguksu and the ferry to Nami Island.

Best time
April to May and October to early November are the most comfortable. Summers are hot with a rainy spell around July, and winters are properly cold.
How long
A day trip from Seoul, or 2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly from KL to Seoul (about 6.5 hours). From Seoul, the ITX-Cheongchun train takes about an hour, and the slower Gyeongchun Line commuter train about 1.5 to 2 hours. Driving takes about 1.5 hours.
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KR · Gangwonchuncheon37.87°N 127.73°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Lake city of spicy dakgalbi, buckwheat makguksu and the ferry to Nami Island.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingChuncheonKR, Gangwon
KLchuncheon
≈ 4,683 km from KL, as the crow flies
Dakgalbi, chicken galbi in Korean cuisine.

Photo: by shizu k (shezzz) at Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Gangwon's capital sits where two rivers meet, with lakes and mountains on every side. It's an easy escape from Seoul, and most people come hungry: this is the home of dakgalbi and makguksu. Legoland Korea and Nami Island are close by.

Makan

  1. DakgalbiSpicy marinated chicken stir-fried at your table with cabbage, sweet potato and rice cakes. Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street is lined with places serving it.Map ↗
  2. MakguksuCold buckwheat noodles in a chilled broth or spicy sauce, often eaten after dakgalbi.Map ↗
  3. Fried rice in the panWhen the dakgalbi is nearly gone, ask them to fry rice in the leftover sauce.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Soyang River SkywalkA glass-floored walkway out over the river. Go around sunset.Map ↗
  2. Samaksan Lake Cable CarCabins, some with glass floors, glide over Uiam Lake to a hilltop viewpoint.Map ↗
  3. CheongpyeongsaAn old temple reached by a short boat ride across Soyang Lake and a forest walk.Map ↗
  4. Rail bikes at GimyujeongPedal a rail bike along a disused railway line through the countryside.Map ↗
  5. Legoland KoreaA Lego theme park on an island in the lake, good with young kids.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Dakgalbi restaurants usually expect at least two portions per table.
  • Book ITX-Cheongchun seats ahead on weekends and holidays. They sell out.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.