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Thursday, November 8, 2012

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."

foliage peak korea
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.

Chuncheon bus airport
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!

Chuncheon

Chuncheon

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 chuncheon
Dakgalbi
Dakgalbi chuncheon korea

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!

Dakgalbi
Dwaeji galbi

Dakgalbi
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

autumn korea

autumn korea

autumn korea martens

autumn korea chuncheon

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.

Nami Island
The "Immigration" to Nami Island
Nami Island

Nami Island ticket
Nami Island Ticket Prices
Nami Island

Nami Island
The ferry to the island
Ferry ride took about ten minutes.

Nami Island

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!

Nami Island autumn

Nami Island

Nami Island travel

Nami Island
Can't help but to take a picture of this couple, looks like a K-Pop poster or something
Nami Island winter sonata
Winter Sonata memorabilias
Nami Island autumn

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.




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

5 comments:

  1. Thumbs up! Very informative and nice autumn pictures!Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi do you still have contacts on where u stayed in Chuncheon? And how much approx is it? Thank u...

    ReplyDelete