Winter Sonata

Nami Island is outside Seoul and you can reach there by taking train to Gapyeong Station for almost 2 hours and the Gapyeong Wharf is about 2km walk from Gapyeong Station. Then you need to buy a passport/entry Visa + Ferry to Nami Island which costs 8000 KRW for the whole day.


Here is the video of our last day trip:



Here is cost breakdown.

Item	Cost (KRW)
Steam cake	1000
Train from Jonggak to Gapyeong	2050
Admission to Nami Island	8000
Snacks at Nami island	5000
Train from Gapyeong to Jonggak	2050
Late lunch at 2nd flr of hostel bldg	15000
Train from Jonggak to Incheon	3950
Hamburger at Lotteria	4400
Total	41450

On this cold early day, we left our hostel with anticipation on the magic that Everland may give. We take train from Jonggak to Jamsil Station for about 45 mins, and take bus#5700 which is almost an hour to reach Everland bus stop. From there the resort shuttle will bring you to the theme park.

Everland Resort is the largest theme park located outside Seoul in Yongin and is considered "Disney of Korea". It is a 3-in-1 park consisting of Festival World, Caribbean Bay and Speedway. If i'm not wrong, entrance to Everland also entitles one to visit Carribean Bay for free. However, time flies when you are in Everland, and the park is huge. Festival World has thrilling rides, jungle safari, zoo, shows and seasonal festivals. Caribbean Bay is a huge water park with wave pools and water slides. Speedway is where you can enjoy car racing.  

Each season there is a theme, and when we were there it was the Halloween, and the entire park was decorated. It really was quite spectacular and great for picture taking. Be sure to get the free tickets to watch the Madagascar Circus Show before heading for rides as they are limited. If you are into adrenaline rush, you must queue for T-Express, which is a wooden roller coaster with the steepest decline of any wooden roller coaster in the world. There are many restaurants and many events going on throughout the park, so be sure to read the electronic monitors. Also visit the Safari World as soon as possible as the lines are longer than for any other attractions. You will board a closed in bus and it drives thru fence enclosed areas with live tigers, lions, bears and LIGER. The bus stops to feed the animals and it is a great picture taking opportunity.

TIP: For tourist, remember to bring your passport to avail 8000 krw discount

Here is cost breakdown.

I was having second thoughts on whether to book for DMZ tour or not as it is expensive. In the end, we book the half-day DMZ Tour which costs 38000 KRW / pax and the itinerary is as follows: 

Hotel pick up -> Imjingak Park -> The Bridge of Freedom -> The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel -> DMZ Theater/Exhibition Hall -> Dora Observatory -> Dorasan Station -> Unification Village (pass by) -> Amethyst/Ginseng Center -> Arrive at City Hall/Itaewon

It wasn't complete though as we didn't go for the JSA.  They say the JSA is the divide between North and South Korea where they stand like statues and stare at each other..hehe... and being with them will give anyone "the chills".  Nevertheless, it was a valuable experience for a person residing in a peaceful country. It is a great reminder of the status of South Korea with its relation to its neighbour to the North. I was amazed to learn about how far the North Koreans had come in their attempts to create infiltration tunnels into the South. The tour is something that every visitor to Korea should experience to further understand the reality of the relationship between North and South Korea and the desire of the people to see the Nation reunited one day.

Cheonggyecheon stream (청계천) is located in downtown Seoul. The stream has a path on both sides and decorated with art, statues or special themes for events. At night-time parts of the river light up and you can enjoy a laser show. It is recommended to start at the stream near Gwanghwamun station where special events and concerts are held. There was lantern display at the time of our visit.

Here is cost breakdown.