The Famous Dak galbi of Chuncheon and Nami Island Experience in Gangwon-do - Day 1 in South Korea

For the start of our 16 day trip around South Korea, I have planned that we go around Gangwondo area first, as according to the autumn foliage forecast, Seoraksan would reach its peak on October 17-19th  - and I wanted to see the mountain on its "fullest bloom."

Predicted Autumn Foliage around South Korea for 2012

It was a three hour flight from Manila to Incheon. Got no proper sleep before the flight and was hungry and exhausted as hell due to work. We arrived morning and me and my companion hurriedly got the airport bus directly to Chuncheon.We got the earliest departure time. Fare is 18,000 won and travel time around 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the traffic.

You can see more bus routes from Incheon Airport from their website. Tickets can be bought inside the airport, you may ask also the Tourist Information for better routes (subway, etc) if you are in a hurry.

Our bus ticket from Incheon Airport directly to Chuncheon Bus Terminal

We arrived Chuncheon bus terminal ten minutes before 11PM. We met our host on the mall alongside the terminal and he gave us a tip to buy a ticket in advance for a bus ride to Sokcho (as we will be going to Seoraksan the next day, more about this on my next post.) Bus fare was 12,250 Won.

It was my first time to experience autumn and I was just fascinated with the view! Such majestic sceneries everywhere!

For lunch, our host took us to eat one of Chuncheon's famous dish - Dak galbi! It is a chicken dish stir-fried with gochujang (chili pepper paste). Yum yum yum!

Dakgalbi

The taste was not that spicy for me and the chicken meat was very tender and there were no bones, even though the name of the food means chicken ribs. I could have ordered more if only I was not shy since we were with our host. I did not want him to think that I eat a lot, but I really do. :P

We also had Dwaeji galbi (pork ribs). Of course, my tummy was very happy!

Dwaeji galbi

Price list for the menu. Dwaeji Galbi priced 11,000 and same price for the Dak galbi as well

Cool "pots" outside

Afterwards, our host took us to the university where he teaches. It was pretty cool to observe Korean college students. And of course, more pictures of autumn trees! haha

We decided to go to Nami Island after. I originally planned to do a Gapyeong tour (including Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm) for that day but due to time constraints, I thought Nami Island would be enough.

We went back to Chuncheon bus terminal and took a bus to Gapyeonng bus terminal. It took us 30 minutes to get there and fare was 900 won. From Gapyeong,you have to take another bus to Nami Island. I don't think there was a bus number, but you can ask the personnel around there which bus would be going to Namiseom/Nami Island.

The "Immigration" to Nami Island

Nami Island Ticket Prices

The ferry to the island

Ferry ride took about ten minutes.

I was amazed when I saw the autumn colors of Nami Island. Of course, I was still very fascinated with the colors of the trees by this time!

Can't help but to take a picture of this couple, looks like a K-Pop poster or something

Winter Sonata memorabilias

We stayed until night time but we got to the nice line of Ginko trees around 7PM, and it was pretty dark. There was a band playing around this time near the restaurants. Overall, Nami Island was quite a relaxing experience. It's very pretty during autumn, I am not just sure how it would during summer though. Also, it can get very crowded during weekends so plan your itinerary smartly.

The train back to Gapyeong terminal run every forty minutes but due to heavy traffic, it arrived pretty late. We should have taken the subway to Chuncheon. Anyway, the bus to Sokcho the next day is scheduled 9AM so no need to hurry.

More of Sokcho and Seoraksan on my next post.

Follow my footsteps in South Korea!

Day 1: Gangwon-do Chuncheon and Nami Island	Day 2: Gangwon-do Mt.Seorak (Seoraksan)	Day 3: Gyeonggi-do Yongin and Food Tour	Day 4: Gyeonggi-do Suwon: Hwaseong Fortress, Korean Folk Village	Day 5: Gyeonggi-do Everland	Day 6: Gyeongju Food Tour	Day 7: Gyeongju Seokguram Grotto Bulguksa Temple Cheomseongdae and Anapji Pond
Day 8: Busan Railway Train in Korea	Day 9: Busan Igidae Coast Busan Fireworks Festival	Day 10: Busan Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Flying with Jeju Air	Day 11: Jeju (E) Food Tour- Altang Dragon Rock Jusangjeolli Cliff Teddy Bear Museum The Seaes Resort	Day 12: Jeju (W) Sunrise Peak Seopjikoji Trick Art Folk Village Sangamburi Crater, Mt.Halla Manjanggul Cave, Maze Park Jjimjilbang	Day 13: Seoul Flying with T'way Airlines Couchsurfing in Korea	Day 14: Seoul Palaces and Bukchon Village
Day 15&16: Seoul Myeongdong and Ewha University N Seoul Tower	Booking Flights via T'way Airlines	Travel Report for South Korea 16 days travel itinerary and tips