Chuncheon
Discover Chuncheon
Chuncheon (춘천, 春川) is the capital of Gangwon (강원, 江原), the northeasternmost province of South Korea. For travelers weary of Seoul's crowds and big city atmosphere, Chuncheon can be an enjoyable place to spend several days. The area, surrounded by rivers and hills, offers a variety of relaxing outdoor activities and a small-town pace. It was featured in the popular Korean drama, Winter Sonata, so it is now a popular destination for tourists from around East Asia. It is home to about 282,000 people (2015)
What to Experience in Chuncheon
Taste of Chuncheon...
Chuncheon has various districts that are rich in restaurants. One such area is Dakgalbi Street, which is packed with restaurants that specialize in the dish. Dakgalbi (Hangul: 닭갈비) is a delicious grilled chicken dish with vegetables and topped off with a spicy Gochujang sauce. Most restaurants will offer both tables with chairs and tables with floor seating. Chicken, rice cakes vegetables are grilled before you on the table's skillet. Near Kangwon National University's back gate there are a number of places for both Korean and foreign cuisines. Starting a block east of the bus terminal, you will find dozens of restaurants serving a wide variety of Korean dishes. The downtown market has a number of inexpensive food stalls serving all kinds of Korean food. Also get fresh fruits here, sweets, rice cake, meat as well as gaegogi (dogmeat) in season. A five-day market near the main post office also has tasty dishes as well as produce, fish, etc. Chuncheon has plenty of bars and small, local establishments that serve beer and coffee and a limited selection of food. These small establishments are called "Hof's". Motels can be found in many places throughout Chuncheon. While they vary in price, they tend to be around ₩40,000. Buses depart regularly to most major cities, including Seoul, from Chuncheon's Bus Station, on the south side of town. It may be worthwhile to inquire in advance at the station if unsure of the bus schedules.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsIntercity buses from each airport run hourly to Chuncheon Intercity Bus Terminal (춘천시외버스터미널). About half of these are non-stop, while others stop at Gapyeong and Cheongpyeong. Tickets are available at the bus booth in the arrivals hall at the airport. An alternative is to take the AREX and then the metro to Chuncheon Station. This option is much more tiresome but also about half the price. Wonju airport only serves one daily flight from Jeju. The airport terminal is basically a bus station, where you check in and then take the bus across a highway to the military runway 1.6 km away. Intercity buses to and from Chuncheon are usually timed to match the flight schedule. The Express Bus Terminal (춘천고속버스터미널) and Intercity Bus Terminal (춘천시외버스터미널) are next to each other. Only two bus routes operate from the Express Bus Teriminal: Daegu (3½ hr) and Gwangju (4½ hr). From Seoul and most other cities in the country, buses use the Intercity Bus Terminal....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Taxis are the most efficient way of getting around Chuncheon. Taxis are plentiful and you can easily find one within a few minutes if you wait on the sidewalk of most busier streets in the city. You may have trouble catching one if you are on the outskirts of Chuncheon or during rush hour when most are in use. The English word "taxi" is used in Korean, so it's easy to ask someone where one might wait to find a taxi. The taxis are identified by a sign mounted on top of the car, but also have a red LED sign with Hangul lettering inside their windshield. If this sign is lit, it signifies that the taxi is available for hire. They turn this sign off when they are already transporting a customer. Stick your arm out to the street as a taxi approaches and they will stop. Taxis are the best option for short trips through town and are nice when you need door-to-door service.
Where to Stay
Motels can be found in many places throughout Chuncheon. While they vary in price, they tend to be around ₩40,000. Buses depart regularly to most major cities, including Seoul, from Chuncheon's Bus Station, on the south side of town. It may be worthwhile to inquire in advance at the station if unsure of the bus schedules. A popular place for locals and other East Asian tourists is Nam-i Island, which consists of tree-lined boulevards that are among the set locations for the popular Korean drama serial, Winter Sonata. Particularly romantic when it snows in the winter, and is popular among couples.
Money & Budget
Koreans rely heavily on small, individual stores to provide goods and services for specific things. The idea of a mega store that sells everything is more recent, but growing in popularity. There are a few of these type of "mega" stores in Chuncheon, making it easy for a foreigner to find most of the grocery and general household items they need. Chuncheon has various districts that are rich in restaurants. One such area is Dakgalbi Street, which is packed with restaurants that specialize in the dish. Dakgalbi (Hangul: 닭갈비) is a delicious grilled chicken dish with vegetables and topped off with a spicy Gochujang sauce. Most restaurants will offer both tables with chairs and tables with floor seating. Chicken, rice cakes vegetables are grilled before you on the table's skillet.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Chuncheon
A body of water with mountains in the background
black and brown rabbit on brown wooden fence
a bus stop sitting on the side of a road
a view of a mountain range with trees and clouds
feel in maple leaves
a person in a orange jacket and a purple scarf
Strolling in Nami Island
a large boat with a lot of people on it in the water
brown wooden boat on body of water during daytime
A person walking down a sidewalk next to a fence
A body of water with mountains in the background
black and brown rabbit on brown wooden fence
a bus stop sitting on the side of a road