Although the bustling metropolitan Seoul offers limitless shopping opportunities and amazing food, the serene Nami Island (남이섬) and Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원) located just outside of Seoul are perfect destinations for a short getaway from the busy streets and spend a tranquil day enjoying the spectacular scenery.
If you are a Korean drama fans, Nami Island would not be a first times stranger for you. It was one of the main filming spot of Korean drama, Winter Sonata, especially the Metasequoia path. Nami Island also being boasted as the beautiful moon shape Island with plenty of picturesque spots, while Garden of Morning Calm showcases its charm differently according to session.
After spending 5 days in Seoul, we had a tour to Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm, thanks to the arrangement of Trazy.com. The perks of booking with Trazy.com are a hassle free trip, with the transportation arranged from pick up points at either Hongik University station or Myeondong station (Nami Island is located at Chuncheon, about 1 hour 45 minutes driving from Seoul). Besides, the tour also provides convenience as below:
- English speaking tour guide; during our trip, Scott speaks perfect English and share with us how to make the most in the trip, including charting out the path, attentions to pay etc.
- Entrance tickets included
- Can use Nami Island Zipline at 30,000 won on site to arrive in style at Nami Island
- Free & easy activities on our own at the respective destination; no time constrain!
Arrival at Nami Island
Before arrival at Nami Island, the friendly tour guide from Trazy.com made sure we are prepared for the trip by addressing our queries. Upon arrival at the jetty, the tour guide went to purchase the tickets on behalf for us, while we took this opportunity to roam around and take some pictures.
For your info, Nami Island is also known as Naminara Republic, a self-declared own governing micronation. There are stamps and "visa" issued by the "country", and the visa allows you to enter multiple times within a stipulated period of time.
And no, we did not take the zipline, the height freaked us out.
Picturesque spots at Nami Island
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| The famous Winter Sonata statue |
There are many, many picturesque spots in Nami Island. Slow down your food steps while strolling across the small Island, as it offers a very relaxation way of holidays. It is a free and easy trip; thus you can walk in which directions you prefer. Our best advice, stay out from the main track to avoid the big flock of tourists in group as very likely you will be photobombed! You can always come back to the main track after the big groups have left.
On top of that, the scenery in Nami Island changes according to session. Unfortunately we were not able to witness of the golden colour leaves autumn, and we reckon winter will offer an amazing scenery to replicate the Winter Sonata scenes. Should definitely come back again!
Accommodation at Nami Island
There are a few resorts in Nami Island that you can book. We are unsure whether it is true or not, but Wikipedia says all the lights are turned off on the island at night so that visitors can enjoy the nature under the light of moon and stars. This is one of the strong reason to stay there right?
Food at Nami Island
Food is never a concern in Nami Island. There are various restaurants here, offering Asian cuisine, Korean BBQ, western style cuisine, pizza and etc available. Even Muslims can have an ease of mind dining in the Asian Food Restaurant Dongmoon which is certified halal.
Price wise, it will be relatively expensive compared to the town but still within reasonable range.
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| Pine Nut Cream Pasta (12,900 Won) |
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| Ham & Cheese Sandwich (8,800 Won) |
We had our lunch at Gomok, a casual dining restaurant in the woods that serves brunch and refreshments.
If you are looking for a light food or running a tight budget trip, just grab a few pieces of steamed bun from one of the stall that sells it from 1,000 Won each. Very popular among the visitors as a queue was piling up
Others
Other than walking in Nami Island, you can opt for cycling across the Island in a designated path to mimic the scene in Winter Sonata. There are also various interesting spots such as the waterfall, pond, goblin village, the lonely tree and etc for you to enjoy. Just take your own time to enjoy. A trip by Trazy.com let us enjoy the Island till 2:00pm before we depart to Garden of Morning Calm
Garden of Morning Calm
We depart to Garden of Morning Calm at 2:15pm and arrived there about 2:50pm. Thanks to the skillful driving by our tour guide, Scott, we managed to took a short nap in the car.
Garden of Morning Calm is all about different gardens with beautiful flowers! Walk through the themed gardens and enjoy the scented place to unwind yourself from the city stress. We took many, many nice pictures here and believe the places will be even more wonderful during winter and autumn. How wish to come back here again!
Itinerary of the Tour
The itinerary by Trazy.com by the tour as below. It is carefully crafted to allow us to have a free and easy time in both the destination without rushing.
7:30am - Depart from Hongik University station (Line 2, Gyeongui Jungang Line, Airport Railroad)
8:10am - Depart from Myeondong station (Line 4)
9:40am - Arrive at Nami Island (free time on our own)
2:00pm - Depart from Nami Island
3:00pm - Arrive at Garden of Morning Calm (free time on our own)
5:00pm - Depart from Garden of Morning Calm
7:00pm - Arrive at Myeondong station
7:40pm - Arrive at Hongik University station
Remarks: Itinerary may change due to local situations. Lighting Festival at Garden of Morning Calm (8 Dec 217 - 25 March 2018). During this time, departure time will be changed as below:
Hongik University Station: 10:30am; Myeongdong station: 11:10pm
Nami Island
1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Operation time :7:30am - 9:45pm
Website clicks here
Garden of Morning Calm
432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Operation time :7:30am - 9:45pm
Website clicks here
Garden of Morning Calm
432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
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