I have officially been in Korea for over two years now! Time has certainly flown over these past two years. When I first moved to Korea, I did not imagine I would be here for more than a year or so, let alone two. In an effort to explore more of Korea, I recently went to 남이섬 (Namiseom) a small island/tourist attraction known for being the filming location of Winter Sonata (a famous Korean drama).
Namiseom is quite far from Seoul via public transportation but is generally easy to locate. The closest subway system stop is Gapyeong station. From there you can take a bus or walk to the port area where you take a ferry to the island. The entrance fee to Namiseom is KRW 10,000. Surrounding the port area are a ton of 닭갈비 restaurants as the local area 춘천 (Chuncheon) is known for their spicy stir-fried chicken dish.
Arriving on the island after a short 5 minute ferry ride, you are greeted with the lush, wooded landscape of Namiseom. The small half-moon shaped island has many different walking trails, bike & scooter rentals, and a small train. There are a few perfectly straight tree lined paths as well as many places to just sit, relax, and enjoy nature. Chipmunks, squirrels, peacocks, and even ostriches call the island home. I also saw row boat and paddle boat rentals off one side of the island.
While Namiseom is a popular tourist attraction, I was able to find some secluded spaces perfect for a nap or just enjoying the scenery. The weather was perfect for being outdoors that day. It was slightly overcast so the weather was not too hot or cold. Besides spring time, other popular times to visit Namiseom are autumn and winter.
Here are some pictures I took:
Korea tourism page
The closest subway stop is Gapyeong station. Here is a map of the location:
