A train is a means of transportation that provides you a different fun of traveling. Leaning back in a chair on a running train, and looking out the window at a view, can make you feel healed. When you plan to go on a trip alone, ITX(Intercity Train eXpress) Cheongchun(literally meaning “youth”) can be a perfect choice. By the ITX from Seoul, you can reach Gapyeong in Gyeonggi-do, and Chuncheon and Gangchon in Gangwon-do in about one hour. These regions have in common in that they are all famous tourist destinations in Korea. Let’s go on a trip to the outskirts of Seoul with .

#Gapyeong for Youth
Gapyeong in Gyeonggi-do is called a spot for a retreat for college freshmen in Korea. It is such a popular region, especially among college students, that there would be no one who never visited Gapyeong back in college. In fact, there are many groups of students in Gapyeong to have fun with their friends during the vacation season every year. Gapyeong is a perfect place for college students because of its environment with clean water and air and its geographical proximity to Seoul. It is only 40 minutes away from Seoul.
It is highly popular because there are small and big festivals including one where you can catch trout by cracking ice in the winter.

What’s more, there are many places where you can have unusual experiences, including Petite France that represents a vibe of a small town in France, and the Garden of Morning Calm where various kinds of flowers and trees await visitors. That’s why Gapyeong is crowded with many visitors including couples and families who want to have fond memories in addition to students.

Namisum Island is also a representing tourist attraction in Gapyeong. It is undoubtedly one of the popular destinations at which as many as one million domestic and foreign tourists stop each year. It is a destination that can be reached by a small boat. On the island, you can be intoxicated by the verdure of Metasequoia Street, and you can take once-in-a-lifetime photos against the backdrop of the lined Metasequoia trees.

#Gangchon with Clean Nature and Leisure Sports

Gangchon is pristine and wild, whereas Gapyeong is tidy and neat. It features a combination of green nature and fun things. There are famous destinations. One of these is Gangcheon Theme Land where you can have fun riding a four-wheel bike while looking over a great view in the daytime and have a great time refreshing your body and mind with a barbecue party in the nighttime.
When you feel like walking in the woods, Gugok Falls is a perfect destination. A path to the falls is not that rough, and phytoncide from surrounding trees offers the healing power of nature. It is on the ecological park full of silver grass, and it thus gives the great combined scenery of silver grass and fall foliage in the autumn. Right around the place, there is deep and clean water where you can enjoy various water sports including water skiing, canoeing, and jetboating.
However, there may be nothing better than bungee jumping. It is one of the thrilling sports that represent Gangchon. Giving oneself to a rope and dropping while passing through the wind may be one of the reasons why many tourists visit this region. How about looking over the natural environment and venting out the pent-up feelings with a bungee jump.

#Chuncheon with Traces of the Past

Chuncheon, which is the last stop of the ITX-Cheongchun, is where the past and the present are combined. Although it is more developed than the foregoing two regions, it also retains the traces of the past in every nook and corner. Chuncheon is also famous for food to eat. Dakgalbi(Spicy stir-fried chicken) and Makguksu(buckwheat noodles) are signature dishes of the region. The chicken dish is now well-known abroad but is originated from the 1960s when people grilled chicken ribs over a briquette fire due to their poor financial conditions. The noodle dish has also its own history. It was made by North Koreans who moved south during the Korean War.
There is another famous spot in Chuncheon. It is Nangman Market that retains the traces of the past. Although its outer appearance was transformed to look more modernized, the atmosphere of the narrow alley created in the 1950s has not been changed. Out of the market and passing through the alley with the scenery 30 years ago retained, you can reach Jukrimdong Cathedral which is designated as one of the cultural properties of modern times. These two are tourist attractions that keep their former looks intact. And, last but not least, there is Kim Yu-jeong Literature Village where the traces of a prominent figure in the Korean literature are well preserved.

*Additional Info. Check the ITX-Cheongchun Schedule!
No. of runs: from Yongsan to Chuncheon, 36 on each of weekdays, 60 on Saturday, and 54 on Sunday or holiday
Intervals: 30 min. during rush hours and 60 min. during off hours on weekdays, and 30-40 min. on weekends
Fare: KRW 5900 to Gapyeong, KRW 7000 to Gangchon, KRW 8300 to Chuncheon