Once the soon-to-drench-us monsoon season is over, summer heatwaves are expected to hit us long and hard. Of course, many of you might be making summer vacation plans to get away from the awful heat already. However, I think there are many people who haven’t even thought about making plans because they’re simply too busy dealing with everyday life.

With this in mind, today we will look at a few travel destinations in Gyeonggi Province that you can reach using public transportation so that you don’t need an elaborate plan, just a little bit of time. Well then, where should we go?

Daytrip to ‘Imjingak Pavilion’

Imjingak Pavilion is only venue in the world where interaction between North Korea and South Korea happens. It’s one of the most popular security-related tourist destinations and visitors can see into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as well as other regions in North Korea. Originally built as a halfway house for people displaced from the Korean War, Imjingak is now used as a venue for events involving North and South Korea. In particular, it doesn’t require complicated approval procedures like Panmunjeom, which makes it the place most often frequented by foreigners in Gyeonggi Province.

Attractions including a Viking pirate ship and a mini-train have been built at Imjingak recently for children, making it a very popular destination for family trips. In addition, the pinwheel hill – the pride of Imjingak Pavilion – as well as the beautiful Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park featuring sculptures and lakes are more than enough to win over the hearts of visitors to Imjingak.

Not only is Imjingak an excellent travel destination, it’s also a great place at which to teach children a few lessons. It offers good options when planning your trip since you can go see the Bridge of Freedom together and the Pavilion is close to Heyri and the English Village.

1. Location of Imjingak Pavilion: 1325-1, Majeong-ri, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province

2. How to reach Imjingak by public transportation: Myeongdong Station in Seoul (line no. 4) à Transfer to Gyeongui line at Seoul Sstation à Get off at Munsan Station (Gyeongui line) à Transfer to the DMZ train (tourist train) and get off at Imjingang Station à Walk approximately 10 minutes from Imjingang Station

3. Total time taken to Imjingak: Approximately 1 hour 43 minutes

4. Recommended route at Imjingak: Imjingak à Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park à Bridge of Freedom à Dora Observation Deck

‘Suwon Hwaseong Fortress’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

King Jeongjo, the 22nd King of the Joseon Dynasty, built Suwon Hwaseong Fortress when he relocated the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado, who fell victim to fierce factional strife at the age of 27, to Suwon which was regarded as the most auspicious region throughout the kingdom.

With walls stretching 5.7km, Hwaseong Fortress was built between 1794 and 1796. By taking advantage of Western technology and using advanced devices like cranes and potter’s wheels devised by Jeong Yak-yong, King Jeongjo was able to complete more than 40 structures in just two short years.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is the culmination of Eastern and Western fortress building technology. In 1997, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Banghwasuryujeong was selected as one of the 50 most beautiful places in Korea. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of activities if they visit Hwaseong Fortress at the right time, and so it would be a great idea to keep that in mind.

1. Location: 190, Yeonmu-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province

2. How to reach Suwon Hwaseong by public transportation: Myeongdong Station in Seoul (line no. 4) à Transfer to line no. 1 at Geumjeong Station à Exit through exit no. 10 at Suwon Station and walk 2 minutes to the bus station in front of the market à Take bus no. 35 at the bus stop and travel for 6 stops à Get off at Hwaseong Haenggung Temporary Palace, Suwonseongji 

3. Total time taken to Suwon Hwaseong: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

4. Recommended route at Suwon Hwaseong: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress à Hwaseong Haenggung Temporary Palace à Gongbanggeori (Handicraft street) à Traditional Market

‘The Garden of Morning Calm’ and ‘Petite France’ are famous as filming locations for dramas

Featuring more than 5,000 species of plants over an area of roughly 330,000m², the Garden of Morning Calm is one of the most beloved and valued arboretums in Korea. Since it features a wide range of plants under differing themes, visitors return home with new experiences each time they come. In particular, more than six million LED lights illuminate the entire garden with various colors to make it even more romantic. The Starlight Garden is popular during the winter, making it a popular venue for couples. How would you like to become an actor or actress yourself in this very place where several TV dramas have been filmed?

Known as the production site for TV drama hit Secret Garden and My Love from the Star, Petite France represents a small and beautiful French village. It’s a fairy tale village where visitors can meet the Little Prince, making it a popular destination for numerous tourists including families, couples, and friends. The most distinct feature of Petite France is the Little Prince. The Saint-Exupery Memorial Hall exhibits artifacts donated by Saint-Exupery’s family, the famous writer of The Little Prince. The French traditional architecture hall exhibits French houses that are more than 200 years old, imported directly from France, as well as rare music boxes collected from Europe. The houses and music boxes add a little more fun to Petite France.

1. Location: San 255, Haenghyeon-ri, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province

2. How to reach the Garden of Morning Calm by public transportation: Myeongdong Station in Seoul (line no. 4) à transfer to line no. 2 at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station à transfer to the central line at Wangshimni Station à transfer to gyeongchun line at Sangbong Station à get off at Cheongpyeong Station à take the Gapyeong City tour bus at Cheongpyeong Station and travel 2 stops

3. Total time taken to the Garden of Morning Calm: Approximately two hours

4. Recommended route: The Garden of Morning Calm à Petite France

The Korea Manhwa Museum: Gather here if you love cartoons and comics books!

Source: Gyeonggi Tourism web portal, Author: ANNDAM

Do you remember reading comic books in front of an electric fan on a hot summer day while eating watermelon slices? I think it might be one of the happiest memories you could have in summer. In Bucheon, there’s a museum built just for cartoons and comic books.

At the museum, visitors can learn the history of Korean comics which spans a century, and they can also take a look at some of the more popular works done by several authors. If you first head up to the third floor which has the planned exhibit hall, and learn the history of Korean comics and cartoons before you head down to the other sections of the museum, you’ll have a more informative and enjoyable visiting experience.

The museum also features a comic book library full of comic books you might have wanted to read, so I think it may be the perfect place to visit using public transportation on a midsummer day.

1. Location: 529-2, Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi Province

2. How to reach the Korea Manhwa Museum by public transportation: Myeongdong Station in Seoul (line no. 4) à transfer to line no. 7 at Chongshin University Station à get off at Samsan Gymnasium Station, use exit no. 4 and walk 5 minutes

3. Total time taken to the Korea Manhwa Museum: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes

4. Recommended route: Korea Manhwa Museum à Bucheon Hanok Village à Woongjin Play Doci

Try ‘Yangpyeong Rail Bike’ for a unique experience

Rail bikes running along railway tracks are no longer exclusive to Gangwon Province. Now you can try your hand at rail bikes in Gyeonggi Province near Seoul. The Yangpyeong rail bike was developed using an abandoned railway track. A river flows along the track on one side, and Yongmunsan Mountain stands tall in the background.

So if you head over to try the Yangpyeong rail bike, it’s a great destination to heal yourself with the cool breeze in your face and Yongmunsan Mountain accompanying you during your ride. Yangpyeong is ideal if you want to travel to a quiet place or if you want to spend a great time with your family. If you’re left wanting because your trip was too short and monotonous, take a ride on the rail bike for a unique experience.   

1. Location: 126-5, Samseong-ri, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province

2. How to reach the rail bike by public transportation: Myeongdong Station in Seoul (line no. 4) à transfer to line no. 2 at the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station à transfer to the central line at Wangshimni Station à get off at Yongmun Station and use exit no. 2 à walk 5 minutes to the Yongmun Chukhyeop bus station à take bus no. 7 and travel 2 stops à get off at the Yongmun Post Office Station and walk 5 minutes

3. Total time taken to the rail bike: Approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes

4. Recommended route at the rail bike: Yangpyeong rail bike à Yangpyeong Yongmun 5-day market à Yangpyeong English Village 

http://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/220741982163