JS Old & New: Gapyeong - Namiseom Island

The complex is 553,560 square yards with chestnut trees and poplar trees around the isle. When spring comes, Namiseom is covered with flowers. In summer time, the river winds blow through the shady woods. In autumn, the fallen leaves carpet the earth. While in winter the island is tranformed into a wrold of icicles and snow.

Namiseom Island is 63 km away from Seoul in the direction of Chuncheon, and is famous for its beautiful tree lined roads. The island is an hour away from Yongsan Station.

* To Gapyeong
   - Subway Line 6 to Digital Media City(DMC) Station (5 minutes)
   - Transfer Subway Gyeongui Jungang at DMC (Platform no. 3) to Yongsan
     Station (15 minutes)
   - Transfer Train of ITX Cheongchun at Yongsan (Platform no.1 -> same
     platform,  touch T-money card first, and just change the line after checking
    the train and cabin no)

* From Gapyeong
   - Inverse order to Gapyeong
   - Get off ITX at Yongsan (platform no. 2 and take Gyeongui Jungang Line
      at the same platform)
   - Touch T-money card
   - Get off the line and transfer to Line 6 to Eungam Station

* Public Transportation at Gapyeong Station to Namiseom

- Take a bus (5 minutes away from the station): bus fare KRW1,250 per person

- Or take a taxi (it is cheaper than a bus if there are more than 2 persons):

taxi fare KRW3,000 ~KRW3,500

* Shuttle Bus from Seoul to Namiseom

- To go Namiseom at 9:30am at Insadong or Namdaemun

- To Seoul at 4:00pm at parking lot

- Fare: KRW15,000 (more expensive than train)

- For a reservation of shuttle bus, please refer to the site address of

https://namisum.com/en/location/

The name of Nami comes from General Nami (seom means island) , who led a great victory against the rebels in the 13th year of King Sejo (reign 1455 ~ 1468) of the Joseon Dynasty. He was sentenced to death due to a false accusation. Even though the King ordered not to put him to death, it was late. There is his grave.

There is two ways to enter the Namiseom (called Naminara Republic). One is to take a ferry at wharf. The fare is included in the Namiseom ticket (KRW10,000 per person).

The other is to take Zip-wire (Fare is KRW38,000 including entrance fee of Namiseom).

Landing on the island. There is a big stone written as Namiseom in Korean and mermaid statue on the riverside.

Passing through the entrance gate, you can see sculptures welcoming to this island.

You may hang on a colored paper writing your wishes after you get a paper from information center.

Bonfires, which are seen here and there, let the tourists be warm from coldness.

Walking through pine trees, you may see ice scultures and snowmen in winter.

Sometimes animals such as ostriches, squirrels, and deers may welcome to you.

There are snowmen of some asian countries and paintings of animals.

There are lots of sculptures along the way of pine trees. You can see the butterfly park which symbolizes live butterfly park in Hampeong (southern part of Korea).

You may drink Korean traditional rice wine, and see exhibition in galleries.

Some restraurants gather for visitors. You may eat halal food there at Dongmoon which sells asian-inspired menu. Nearby there are some restraurants and cafes.

We can see strange and funny toilets there.

Next to the Dongmoon restrautrant, there is a Picture Book Libray for kids. You can see a pillar made by books.

You may walk down through metasequoia wood road. It starts with exhibition of mother and kids and ends to liverside. Due to cold temperature, the river is frozen.

For asian countries, Namiseom is famous for filming Korean drama of 'Winter Sonanta'.

In middle of this isalnd, there is the Song Museum. In the basement 1, Korean traditional musical instruments and other instrucments are exhibited. In addition, special exhibition of Lee Mi Ja, one of best Korean singers in 1960~1980, is being held.