Our summer trip began on July 21-26, 2016, flying with Thai AirAsia X. Our destination was Jeongdongjin-Taebaek-Mukho, cities located in Gangwon-do.

The morning was bright and cheerful. The flight attendant's voice, like fine sand, brought joy, smiles, and wide-awake eyes. Around 9:00 am Korean time, we arrived at Incheon International Airport. Our faces were drowsy, with a slight smile at the corners of our mouths. We passed through immigration without knowing each other. There were no greetings whatsoever. Then, we prepared to continue our journey to Jeongdongjin.

Take the subway from the airport to Cheongnyangni Station (approximately 4,250 won). Exit through Exit 4 and you will find the Cheongnyangni Railway Station (same name). Take the escalator to the upper level to purchase a Mugunghwa train ticket to Jeongdongjin Station.

We booked our train tickets in advance through letskorail. The website is available in English. We filled in our name, surname, passport number, and used a credit card to book. We then printed the booking confirmation from the website and collected our tickets at the Cheongnyangni Station ticket counter.

Embark on an exciting journey to Jeongdongjin! The train offers a captivating atmosphere with breathtaking views of lush rice fields, verdant meadows, and majestic mountains. Indulge in a delightful selection of snacks and games in the designated carriage, or belt out your favorite tunes in the karaoke room. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure!

The journey took approximately 5 hours to reach Jeongdongjin Station. We had booked accommodation at If Guesthouse, which was about a 300-meter walk from the train station. Upon arrival, we were unsure of the route to our accommodation. We decided to ask the ladies at a nearby grocery store, showing them our reservation confirmation in Korean. The ladies confirmed that it was indeed If Guesthouse and pointed us in the right direction. They were incredibly kind and helpful, despite the language barrier, and went out of their way to assist us using sign language.


"If Guesthouse"


Sunrise in Jeongdongjin

On the morning of July 22, 2016, we set our alarm clocks for 4:30 am to wake up and watch the sunrise at the beach in front of Jeongdongjin Station. This is one of the most popular places to watch the sunrise and make wishes during the New Year.

The sign at the station today indicated that the sun would rise around 5:20 AM. We strolled and took pictures until the sun finally emerged from the horizon.


Jeongdongjin Beach

In the morning, watch the sunrise together, and in the evening, when the sun is down and the wind is calm, you can go for a walk along the beach.

Along the beach, next to the train tracks, there are small coffee shops where you can stop by to have a coffee, sip some tea, and enjoy the view.


Jeongdongjin Railbike

Near Jeongdongjin Station, there is another activity: Railbike. Since the sun hasn't set yet, we won't return to our accommodation! Let's exercise our legs and ride a bike on the railroad tracks.

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth located next to Jeoungdongjin Station. There are two-person and four-person options available. We chose the four-person option, which cost 18,000 won. After purchasing tickets, a staff member will inform you of the meeting point, which is next to the ticket booth. When the time comes (the round on the ticket), a staff member will take you to the parking lot. The round trip, including parking, takes approximately 40 minutes.


Haslla Art World

Haslla Art World is located near Jeongdongjin Train Station. A shuttle bus service is available near Sun Cafe, close to the train station. The bus runs every hour from 8:50 AM to 1:50 PM.

Haslla Art World is a unique destination that combines a hotel and museum experience. The indoor museum showcases captivating light-based art installations and a Pinocchio museum, while the outdoor section invites visitors to embark on a scenic hike through a pine forest, immersing themselves in various art pieces along the way. The venue is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with an admission fee of 7,000 won per person.

We left after 2 pm, so we took a taxi. We showed the driver the name of the place in Korean or a picture, and he was okay with it. It took about ten minutes and cost 5,600 won. On the way back, we asked for the taxi driver's business card and had the staff at Haslla Art World contact a taxi to pick us up.

Inner zone


Outdoor zone



Taebaek

Taebaek gained recognition due to its appearance in a popular television series. This prompted me to visit the filming locations and explore other attractions in the city. Notably, I visited the filming sites of "Descendants of the Sun" and took a leisurely stroll amidst the wind turbines of Mt. Maebongsan.

We took the Mugunghwa train from Jeongdongjin Station to Taebaek Station, which took about an hour and a half. The fare was 5,800 won.

"Train Timetable from Jeongdongjin Station"


Passengers dozed off or admired the scenery as the train journeyed onward. Upon arrival at Taebaek Station, they checked the train schedule to determine their return time.


" Taebaek Station "


"Train timetable from Taebaek Station to Jeongdongjin Station"


KBS Drama Filming Location (Descendants of the Sun)

Exit the train station, cross the road at the roundabout, and walk straight for approximately 200 meters to find the bus station.

Enter the station and wait for bus number 4 to Tongri. The bus departs according to the schedule. To get off at your desired location, show the driver the picture of the drama poster. This will ensure you reach your destination. The fare is 1100 won.


The bus will stop at a bus stop near the entrance of the location. We walk under the bridge tunnel and walk straight until we find a sign, then turn according to the sign. Walk along the path up the hill for another 350 meters, and you will find the filming location for the series.


Construction was not fully completed during my visit in July. The foundation for further construction was still being built.


On the way back, walk out at the bus stop entrance and cross the street to the opposite side. There will be a red brick bus stop near the traffic light. We took bus number 113 back to the bus station.



Mt. Maebongsan Wind Farm

The Maebongsan Wind Turbines, featured on the GangwonDoKorea page, were a stunning addition to our itinerary. We took a taxi from the Taebaek Bus Station for 8,500 won, arriving at the entrance after a 30-minute ride. An information center and free shuttle bus service are available at the entrance, transporting visitors 3.5 kilometers up the mountain. The shuttle departs every 30 minutes and is staffed by volunteers who speak English.

Free Shuttle Bus Service



Mukho Lighthouse Village (Nongoldam-gil Street)

This trip, we had the opportunity to try the Sea Train. We did not book in advance, so we woke up early to buy tickets at Jeongdongjin Station. We got tickets for the 4th Economy class car for 13,000 won per person per trip.

For details on Sea Train, please visit http://www.seatrain.co.kr/ (Korean language). You can use Google Translate for assistance. Alternatively, you can visit http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1064143 (English language).

The Sea Train offers seats facing the windows, allowing passengers to enjoy the ocean views as the train travels.

We took a train from Jeongdongjin Station to Mukho Station to visit Mukho Lighthouse Village. After enjoying the view on the Sea Train for almost an hour, we arrived at Mukho Station. We checked the schedule for the Mugunghwa train back to Jeongdongjin Station (on the way back, we took the Mugunghwa train back to Jeongdongjin Station, which cost 2600 won and took about half an hour).


Upon arrival at Mukho Station, proceed to the rear of the station where taxis are readily available. A short taxi ride, approximately ten minutes, will take you to your destination, Mukho Lighthouse Village (Nongoldam-gil Street). The taxi fare is 2,800 won.


Take a shortcut up the hill, winding through the houses in the neighborhood. Along the way, you'll find cute street art on the walls. At the top of the hill, there are restaurants and cafes where you can relax and enjoy the view. This village was also used as a filming location for the series The Heirs.

---- Two days in Gangwon-do are over. ----

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