[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Nami Island's treasures will amaze you

Beautiful throughout all seasons, entertaining for all ages, great for sightseeing and full of cultural experience. Nami Island, Gangwon, is the spot that checks off all these requirements.

The Unesco Charity Train heads to its destination on Nami Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Beautiful throughout all seasons, entertaining for all ages, great for sightseeing and full of cultural experience. Even the pickiest travelers would say yes to a place offering all of these traits. Nami Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon, is such a destination, and it's known for constantly undergoing renovations to embrace new ideas and host cool events. Groups of families, friends and lovers gather at this venue to enjoy a day trip, renting a bike to ride along the river or hopping onto electric cycles.

The following are the Korea JoongAng Daily's tried-and-true recommendations to help you plan your trip to Nami Island this summer. Getting to Nami Island

Travelers wait in line on the dock to get on a ferry that takes visitors to Nami Island. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

One of the most common transportation routes to Nami Island is taking an ITX-Cheongchun train that offers special discounts for young adults up to the age of 33. It stands for Intercity Train eXpress-Chuncheon and connects Yongsan Station, Seoul Station and Chuncheon Station. A more affordable option is taking the same Gyeongchun Line by the subway, but it takes longer. Nami Island is located in Chuncheon but can be more easily approached from Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi, so those heading there usually get off at Gapyeong Station before they reach the final destination, Chuncheon. From Gapyeong Station, you can either take a shuttle bus that circulates around the tourist spots or take a five-minute ride on a taxi to arrive at the ticket box, the dock to head to the island.

Entering Nami Island is easier than you would imagine. The first and the most common route is taking a ferry boat which is included as a package in the ticket. If you haven’t booked a ticket online in advance, you can purchase one directly at the ticketing booth. It costs 16,000 won ($12) for adults, 13,000 won for middle and high school students as well as older adults aged 70 or above, and 10,000 won for children of ages three up to students in elementary school. If you want to start the day early, get the early bird ticket that is on sale until 8 a.m. and costs 10,000 won for adults.

Hopping onto a zip wire that connects to the island is another option. The zip wire costs 49,900 won, and tourists wishing a delightful experience over the Bukhan River from 80 meters above ground sign up for the activity. Most people take the ferry boat to the island, which takes less than ten minutes. Once you enter, you will see the welcome sign that says that you have officially entered “Naminara Republic.”

Flora and Fauna

The metasequoia grove on Nami Island is the main photo zone for the visitors. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Nami Island is famous for its beauty throughout all seasons, and if you visit now, you will be gifted with the sight of endless greenery and animals you cannot easily see in cities. The pine tree grove that welcomes visitors through the center is the one attraction you cannot miss; the towering trees provide large shades and cool the heat from the intense sunlight. The metasequoia grove, however, is the most famous site, with tall trees presenting a refreshing view. This main photo zone is what Nami Island is most known for. The Gingko tree grove, maple garden, wildflowers and lotus flowers around the ponds will amuse you with their diverse colors and scents.

A peacock on Nami Island spreads its feathers. [KIM DONG-EUN]

While various displays of flora are the main reason to visit Nami Island, casual encounters with the animals in the garden also play a big role. Across more than 20 gardens with individual themes, you will spot peacocks flaunting their long tail feathers and crying aloud. Seeing the peacocks walking nonchalantly while the surrounding crowd takes pictures is entertaining, if not almost comical. Rabbits bouncing around and nibbling at the green leaves may startle you at first, but you will grow used to them as you see them occasionally. Going deeper into the island, you will see an ostrich village with giant ostriches huddled across a grass field. You will also see other animals, such as squirrels and owls, if you look closely.

Cultural attractions and activities

A band performs at a music festival on Nami Island. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Nami Island’s official name is Naminara Republic, and it embodies a fun philosophy that it is culturally independent from Korea. It invites tourists to an imaginary republic and encourages them to enjoy the cultural experience. There are multiple spaces in which these experiences can be enjoyed, such as Nari Island Handicraft Studio, Yu Qing Cheng’s Happy Garden Sculpture Gallery, UNICEF Hall and Andersen Picture Book Center, not to mention free galleries and exhibitions. In fact, the island was designated a Unicef child-friendly park in Dec. 2010, becoming the first in Korea. There is a blue Unesco Charity Train that travels from the entrance of The Song Museum to the central station in the main square. It costs 3,000 won per ride and offers a slow-paced, relaxed journey.

Nami Island features cultural activities for the children through international book festivals and parades. Not only children but adults can also enjoy the summer vibes since there is an ongoing acoustic music festival with different indie bands invited to different stages on the island. The event runs every weekend up to the last week of June. You can also frequently see couples riding a bike in tandem, which could be rented from the bike rental area. Other sports facilities such as the sky bike and water sports are also available, so check the official website for details.

Eatery in and out of Nami Island

Dakgalbi is a specialty of Chuncheon, Gangwon. [KIM DONG-EUN]

If you are seeking a hidden yet spacious place to chill with some coffee, try out Swing Cafe located inside The Song Museum, which features displays of different musical instruments. The area is less crowded since it is not easily spotted, and you can sit outdoors to enjoy the breeze.

Some restaurants serve diverse types of food that are not too overpriced. However, if you want to try the specialty of Chuncheon, try dakgalbi, stir-fried chicken with pepper marinade. Dakgalbi restaurants are located near the ticket box, a ferry ride away from the island. The price is around 15,000 won per serving, and you can order cold noodles or finish the meal with stir-fried rice.

Nami Island@ namiisland_naminara1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, GangwonHours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.Admission fee (by ferry): 16,000 won for adults, 13,000 won for middle and high school students and older adults aged 70 or above, 10,000 won for children 36 months old or older up to students in elementary schoolPhone number: 031-580-8114Website: https://namisum-en.imweb.me/?redirect=no

BY KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]