Our next destination was the place that needs no introduction, a place that very related to South Korea and your visit to Korea will not be completed if u miss this place!
I think most of you guess it right, the place that become worldwide recognition after the Korean series Winter Sonata became hit, NAMI ISLAND.
iii) NAMI Island
Nami or Namiseom Island is a half moon-shaped isle which was formed as a result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam. History stated that the seasonal rain used to transform the land into island. During construction of Cheongpyeong dam, rising water of North Han River inundated the land, building Nami Island which is now an all-year-long isle. In 1965, founder of Nami Island, Mr Byeong-Do Minn, initiated the planting of flowers and trees on the island, cultivating it to a better place while preserving the nature. From map, it looks like a leaf floating gracefully on top of Cheongpyeong Lake, in the middle of Han River.
Nami Island is 63 km away from Seoul, about an hour away from the suburbs of Seoul which made many couples and families come to visit as it is not very far. A special feature of Namiseom Island is that there are no telephone poles. This is because all electric wires were built underground to keep the natural feeling of the landscape. The island is 553,560 square yards with chestnut trees and poplar trees throughout. No mountains, a place mostly made up with pebbles and sand and is famous for its beautiful tree lined roads. Tall trees, grassy gardens, animals add beauty to the island in all four seasons.
Today, Nami Island is a popular attraction for locals and foreign visitors. Most people who are fans of the K-drama Winter Sonata would remember Nami Island as it consists of several of the filming locations for this drama. The tomb of General Nami, King Sejo (reign 1455-1468) who led a great victory against the rebels in the King Joseon Dynasty also located there.
How to get there :
Basically, there are 2 ways to get to Nami Island :
1. Ferry
2. Zipwire
And for both ways, you needed to start from Gapyeong Wharf. So regardless you take a subway+bus, subway+taxi, or by tour bus like us, you will ended up at Immigration centre of Gapyeong to proceed to the island.
Ferry Schedule between Gapyeong Wharf – Nami Wharf:
7.30AM – 9AM (Every 30 minutes)
9AM – 6PM (Every 10-20 minutes)
6PM – 9.40PM (Every 30 minutes)
Admission Fees
General Rate: Adults 10,000 won
Discounted Rate: 8,000 won
* Discount is applicable with proper identification to:
- Middle/High school students
- Persons with a disability (Level 1-3)
- Seniors ages 70 years and older
- Foreigners (passport or alien registration card)
Special Rates: 4,000 won
* Special rate is applicable to:
- Children (infant - elementary school student)
- People purchasing late admission (Dec-Mar: after 18:10 / Apr-Nov: after 19:10)
We reached Gapyeong Wharf around 11.30am. As ussual, Vincent asked us to gather at one place while he made an arrangement of our tickets. Do remember to show your passport. Once done, he handed to us the Entry Visa, a fairly fancy name for a piece of paper. Then, we were able to pass the immigration and waited to board the ferry.
The ferry comes every 30 minutes, and the journey is about 10-15 minutes away. So yeah, they're gonna be going back and forth. For those who are a lot wealthier and too lazy to wait, you can opt for the flying fox zipline. It travels really quickly but it costs a massive 33,000 won per person. The duration of which you'll be spending on air is less than a minute - I heard. But from the looks of things, everyone seemed to enjoy it very much. If you have such cash to spare, then do it!
Once the ferry arrived, it didn’t take us long to board the ferry. Two-floors, mostly standing place. There were lots of flag of every countries here.
Touchdown, with plenty of tourists. OMG, I have to slap my face. It was like a fairy tales, been in the wonderland. No wonder it has been chosen as a shooting place for Winter Sonata as the place is so wonderfull, with a romantic atmosphere hanging in the air. It was our luck also as we came here right at the peak of autumn season, where it is one of the best place to enjoy beautiful fall foliage in South Korea.
The first thing I should mention is the fact that Nami Island is huge. It may not look like it in the map provided but yes, it is indeed huge. There are so many spots where one can take photos of, at the same time, enjoy the freshness of the air. I personally enjoyed this place very much, without the need of the Korea drama's influence.
Frankly, for those who aren't a fan of taking photos, then there might be nothing much for you. But for those who do, this place is simply amazing. My aunt visited here during summer time, and basically she told me nothing extravagant in Nami Island . So I think the right season to visit also gave an impact to this place. Best is definitely during autumn and secondly winter. If you came here during summer, it just rewards you a view of normal park, nothing more than that.
So now, I already stepped my foot to this Island. What or where to start?? Ya, Vincent won't let us explore without filling our stomach first. Because as ussual he would let us to explore on our own later, so before he did that, he directed us to one restaurant where we had a very delicious and my first timer on Bibimbap, a signature Korean dish.
The word Bibimbap literally means "mixed rice". Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with seasoned vegetables, chilli pepper paste, soy sauce / fermented soybean paste. A raw or fried egg added to the dish. Here, the Bibimbap is served inside a small tin container to preserve the heat. As it is hot, a glove was provided for us to hold the container to prevent our hands from burn.
This hot dish has to be stirred together thoroughly just before eating.
The island has lots of food options, from sit-down restaurants to food tents and stalls, selling everything you could want.
Next after lunch, we performed solat inside this library located just next to the restaurant.. As a library, it has one room that very suitable to be used as a prayer room.
So once completed our pray and already freshen up, we started to plan our route.
As this island is almost round shape, we set off to wander the circle started with attraction nearby us, the Baekpungmilwon Maple Garden.
You may lay a mat under a maple tree and start your picnic. We were surrounded by hundreds (maybe thousands) of red and oranges maples. The scenery is so beautifull. This post is definitely more image-heavy than my other post (as you've probably already noticed), but I just couldn't stop taking pictures. Its all were so beautifull that made me guilty not to post it :=) So heads up, and also, sorry as I'm not sorry :=D
Next, we strolled along Metasequoia Lane. Metasequoia path turns famous since 2002 when it showed up as one of the filming scenes in Korean drama Winter Sonata, starring Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo.
A beautiful and exotic boulevard that looks like it is came straight out of a fairytale. Metasequoia trees were planted along this lane and rewards you with splendid view no matter in what season you visit. During spring / summer when the trees’ lush green leaves are at their height of beauty, autumn when the green leaves turned all yellow or during winter when the trees are fully covered with white snow like a scene in Winter Sonata.
Here, we reached Maple Lane of True Love. If you find the Maple Garden too crowded with people, you can switch to Maple Lane of True Love for your photography with maple trees. More quiet, calm.
The maple trees here are quite small so it was easy for us to pluck the leaves :=D
Next, was a Ginkgo Tree Lane. The all yellow Ginkgo Walking Path, from the fan-shaped leaves that change to golden yellow in fall.
There was a bit of green area in autumn at Central Korean Pine Tree Lane.
Bicycle riding is fun too. You can rent it at 3000won per person for 30minutes, 5000won per person for 1 hour. Couple bicycle rental fee is 6000won for 30minutes, 10000won for 1 hour.
Besides the famous attractions in Nami like mentioned above, there are lots of mini garden such as Sujaewon Garden, Changpyeongwon Garden, Hwaseokwon Garden, Sequoia Family Garden, Namipungwon Garden, Baekpungmilwon Garden, Dew Garden, Unchi Garden, Nakusong Royal Garden, Cheongpungwon Garden, Pitowon Garden, YMCA LiPia Garden, Hampyeong Garden and many more. We just went on walking aimlessly completing the loop. Hence, here is a compilation of photos around the area.
Finally, we completed our tour nearly at 3pm. We walked back to the Nami Wharf to gather with other members.
People going back to mainland (Gapyeong) were more compared to coming in to Nami Island. Probably because it was already late in the evening. Nevertheless still managed to squeeze ourselves inside the ferry. Goodbye Nami Island. What a great moment we had!!! If you asked me whether I would return to this place or not. My answer will definitely be YES!! But perhaps in different season. In winter to be exact so I could relate with the romantic-ness of Winter Sonata and, perhaps also......... with different partner. Someone called husband??
Perhaps....
perhaps....
perhaps....
So this is the end of my Nami post. Next we returned back to Seoul City for another program arranged by our tour agency.
Continue in my next post ok. Till then :D
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