Namiseom Island Park

Nami Island Park's welcome gate

Introduction

Namiseom Island Park (or Nami Island Park) is located in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is a popular tourist destination and the subject of many cultural references. The island was made famous by its appearance in the Korean drama Winter Sonata.

Namiseom Island Park offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking trails and the chance to experience a variety of wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy shopping, restaurants, and cafes along the park’s main street. There are even art galleries and sculptures scattered around the island for visitors to explore.

Furthermore, there is an amusement park with rides for children and adults alike. From its beautiful scenery to its abundant activities, Namiseom Island Park is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the best of South Korea.

Namiseom Island Park also offers several cultural experiences, such as performances of traditional Korean music and dance. Visitors can explore traditional buildings like Confucian shrines and folk villages, as well as temples and pagodas.

For a more active experience, visitors can try exploring the island's hiking trails and mountain biking routes. After a day in the park, visitors can enjoy a relaxing evening at one of the nearby hot springs. The tranquil atmosphere of Namiseom Island Park is perfect for anyone looking to escape the bustle of modern life and experience nature at its finest.

Overall, Namiseom Island Park offers something for everyone. From beautiful natural scenery and cultural experiences to outdoor activities and relaxing hot springs, it is a must-visit destination for those looking to get the most out of their trip to South Korea.

Nami Island Floating Railbike

Namiseom Island Park

Namiseom Island Park is a popular destination in South Korea due to its unique and beautiful features. This island park came into being as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong water reservoir.

Namiseom, a half-moon-shaped islet, is named after the general (Nami), who led great victories against rebels during his time. You can find the grave of General Nami, who existed during the 7th year of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty (reign 1455-1468).

I came for the first time with my colleagues. Our purpose was to have our "workshop" in this place. Yes, we did our unconventional workshop by discussing things while visiting a museum, riding the bike, and while having our lunch.

Beautiful autumn sight by the banks of Nami Island Park

Very briefly, I remember that we came to Namiseom Island Park by train from Seoul. We all got off at Gapyeong Station and walked towards the entrance area where you need your identification card or passport to get the entrance ticket.

It felt like in a foreign land or another country. I saw international visitors and noticed flags from various nations waving with the wind.

There were kindergarten children wearing uniforms and being guided by their watchful teachers. Above the water, I saw boats crisscrossing with excited visitors looking forward to their day's adventure.

I also got excited when I saw brave souls hanging onto cable lines holding on safely to their zipline hangers and belts. The cross-over from the mainland's parking area to Nami Island is much faster than our boat!

My second trip to Nami Island was last Friday (5th, 2021). So, you will find more pictures with colorful leaves of Fall.

Fiery autumn leaves of maple trees on Nami Island Park (2021)

Nami Island's exciting Features

Namiseom Island Park (남이섬 공원) is just 63 kilometers from Seoul on the way to Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province.

One of the prominent features of Namiseom is the array of trees that change their colors depending on the season--more incredible during the Autumn.

You won't see telephone poles and electric wires as they are all buried underground to keep the landscape more natural.

You will enjoy the various tree species, aside from flowering plants, including pine trees, chestnut trees, and poplar trees throughout the over five hundred thousand square meters land area.

Around this grassy area are education, training facilities, and campsites. You could easily find tables and benches where you could unwind and enjoy your snacks while breathing the refreshing air around.

Main Facilities & Services

Exciting water-skiing on the waters of Namiseom Island Park

Nami Island offers various exciting, fun, and relaxing facilities. So, be sure that when you decide to travel to this island, you have at least a full day to spare. But, of course, you can stay longer if you rent a hotel, bungalow, villa, or cottage on the island itself!

The island offers and has...

Tree Lanes, gardens, giant trees, museums, cafes, art shops and stores, filming locations, restaurants/eateries, bike center, fountains, animals, ATM, tourism information center, and personal care facilities (e.g., toilets, nursing room, first aid, infirmary, money exchange, smoking areas).

Please, check out the details below...

Tree Lanes

The island is filled with beautiful and towering trees. Such lanes include White Birch Lane, Korean Pine Tree Lane, Cherry Lane, Maple Lane of True Love, Chinese Platycarya Lane, Metasequoia Lane, Gingko Tree Lane, Cornel Tree Lane, Tulip Tree Lane, Weeping Willow Lane, Redwoods Lane, and more lanes.

A colorful sight of Metasequoia Lane on Naminara Island

Gingko Lane

Pinetree Lane

Gardens & Ponds

Tomb of General Nami, Choensatap Garden, Choengyeongwon Garden, The Song Garden (museum), Baekpungmilwon Maple Garden, Cheollipo Magnolia Garden, Pitowon Garden, Forest of the Elves, White Birch Grove, Unchi Garden, Namipungwon Maple Garden, Sequoia Family Garden, Changpyeongwon Garden, Sujaewon Garden (founder's memorial garden), Langkami Garden, Lover's Woods, Hyeonhorim White Birch Grove, Changgyeongwon Garden, Gangneung Gyeongpo Garden

A view of General Nami's tomb on Nami Island. It is located close to the island's port.

Minn Byeong-do was the founder of Nami Island. He loves nature and was motivated to plant trees and flowering plants which earned him the title "the grandfather of trees." Mr Minn spent the remaining time of his life supporting culture and arts after Korea's liberation from the Japanese occupation in 1945.

Watermill and pond

Giant trees (Gingko Tree)
Winter Sonata Statue

Museums and Galleries

Song Museum, Liuseum (museum), Nami Concours Gallery, Yu Qing Cheng's Happy Garden Sculpture Gallery, Nami Island Handicraft Studio, Pyeonghwarang Gallery

Bipa musical instruments on exhibition in Liuseum, Song Museum

Gayageum instrument in Song Museum's Liuceum

Yu Qing Cheng's Happy Garden Sculpture Gallery

Ponds and Waterfalls

Elysian Waterfall, Sonata Garden (watermill), Eco Farm Yeonryeonji Pond, Water Garden Swimming Pool, Jeonggwan Baekryeongji Pond, Yuyeongji Pond

Elysian Waterfall

Watermill and pond garden

Restaurants, Cafes & Food

Swing Cafe, Book Pond Cafe, Forest Cafe, Arshop Snowman Cafe, Comok Restaurant, Seomhyanggi Restaurant, Nammoon Korean Restaurant, Sonata Cafe, Dongmoon (Asian family Halal restaurant), Yeonggajiga (lunch box), Ddanji Pub (pizza and pasta), etc.

A grill and steak restaurant on Nami Island

Swing Cafe

Asian Restaurants offer Asian cuisines including Halal food menus

Art Shops, Book Centers & Stores

Nami Island Handicraft Studio, Nami Sonata Store, Sonata Cafe/Drama Gallery, Pyeonghwarang Gallery, Artshop Imagine Nami, Andersen Picture Book Center, Picture Book Lounge

Artshop & Post Office

ATM, artshop, and souvenirs

Filming locations

Nami Island is a popular place among filmmakers for movies and dramas. One of the most famous is Winter Sonata First Kiss. Photographers, both professionals and newbies, come to take photos all year round.

The colorful leaves during the Fall, the white snow in the Winter, and the flowers in the Summer attract more visitors.

A memorial spot for the film 'Winter Sonata First Kiss'

Activities Rental Center

Bike center, central train station, zip-wire, speed boat, pedal duck boat, water-skiing, boating, Forest Adventure TreeGo TreeCoaster, etc.

Single and tamdem bicycles are available at Nami Island's Bike Center

Four-rider bike at Nami Island's Bike Center

Floating Bikes

Ostrich Village & Animals

Ostriches, rabbits, geese, peacocks, dogs, squirrels, birds, etc. These animals are quite friendly to visitors. I love the ostriches most, but don't get too close!

Ostrich Village

Hotels

Hut Villa, Gangbyeon Villa, 2+2 Cottages, bungalows (Anemone, Begonia, Cosmos, Dahlia, Edelweiss), Hotel Jeonggwanru Jeonggwanjae. I am thinking of staying for a couple of nights in one of them with my family, soon!

A row of bungalows by the riverside of Nami Island

Bungalow by the riverside

Banquet Halls

Gongsimwon Banquet Hall Guest House, The Song Museum Magic Hall, etc.

Magic Hall - Song Museum & Liuseum

Platforms, Stages, Bridges, Walkways

Hut Bridge, Riverside Walking Course, Bungalow Row Riverside Path, Changgyeongdae Platform, Hello Stage, Moon Hill, Free Stage, Naminara Republic Weather Station

Changgyeongdae Platform Walkway

Riverside Walking Course

ATM, tourism information center, prayer room (Musolla), and personal care facilities

Getting to Namiseom Island Park

This international boat ferries international travelers to Nami Island in less than 10 minutes.

If you found this page in search of more guides, you will find below the more accessible and better mode of transport to get there.

You can get a Shuttle Bus from Insadong, Namdaemun, and Myeongdong to Nami island from Monday to Sunday, except during special holidays.

Here we go for the shuttle bus...

Departure Points, Time, Location
Seoul Insa-dong: 9:30 AM nearby the West Gate of Tapgol Park
Seoul Namdaemun: 9:30 AM at Sungnyemun Square Bus Stop in front of Namdaemun Market

Seoul Myeongdong: 9:45 AM at the back alley of Shinsegae Department Store (Main). Then, returning to Seoul from Nami Island...

Take the bus from the Parking Lot in front of the Ticket Office in Nami Island. The bus leaves at 4 PM for Insadong (Seoul) and Namdaemun and Myeongdong areas.

Gapyeong Train/Subway Station. Get off and exit from here then either take a bus (#10-4) or a taxi from Nami Island's Information/Ticketing Office, which takes only 5 minutes.

Via Subway
Take the Subway Gyeongchun Line at Sangbong from Gapyeong Station. The trip takes about 50 minutes.

From Chuncheon City to Gapyeong Station could take 28 minutes.
Chuncheon → Gapyeong Station
ITX-Cheongchun Yongsan → Gapyeong Station (about 60 min.)
Cheongnyangni → Gapyeong Station takes about 40 minutes.

Then from Gapyeong Train Station to the Ticket Office area will take around 20 minutes on foot. It is 1 kilometer and 900 meters only.

Shuttle Bus Fare
The following rates, which could change over time, are the fares from Seoul to the Namiseom Island area.
Adult: 18,000 KRW (round-trip) / 9,000(one-way)
Child: 13,000 KRW (round-trip) / 6,500 (one-way) ※ Child: aged between 24 months and 12 years old

Ticketing and Information Office of Nami Island Park. This is where guests can purchase tickets, wait, and take the ferry to the island, which is only less than 10-minute ride.

Package Ticket (Round Trip & Entrance Ticket)
Regular: 31,000 KRW
Discount Offers: 28,000 KRW for Seniors (70+ yrs.) / Students (Middle ~ High School Age)
Special Rates: 20,000 KRW for Children (from 36months to Elementary School Children)

For Reservation Reminders
You are allowed to reserve your entrance ticket as early as two months or the day before the shuttle bus departure if still available.

If you plan to take a different route to and from Nami Island, you need to make a separate reservation ticket.

You can also purchase your ticket on-site, but it depends on the availability of seat(s). For reservation inquiry, you may use the following information:

Phone: +82-02-753-1247;
Email: bus@naminara.com

Or, see further details at this homepage.

Now, if you have any questions for me, please email me, and I'll do my best to respond as much as possible.

I wish you an enjoyable and safe trip!