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Myeongdong or Uiamho Lake?

Both are good bases in Chuncheon, and they suit different trips. Downtown puts you between Myeongdong and Chuncheon Station, by the dakgalbi alley, the covered market and the river skywalk; the Uiamho side puts you by the lake cable car, the glass-floored lake skywalk and LEGOLAND. Here is how to choose.

The verdict

For a first visit, a trip without a car or a food trip, choose downtown: the ITX-Cheongchun and the Gyeongchun Line end at Chuncheon Station, the 150-metre dakgalbi alley and the 1960 Jungang Market are the old centre, and the Soyang River Maiden statue, beside the Soyanggang Skywalk, is about 20 minutes' walk from the station by VisitKorea's 2019 Korean guide. For LEGOLAND, the lake and the south of the city, choose the Uiamho side: the 3.61 km Samaksan Lake Cable Car, the longest in Korea by VisitKorea's account, crosses Uiamho Lake, and LEGOLAND Korea Resort sits on Jungdo island. Two nights? Take one of each.

Side by side

Myeongdong & Chuncheon Station and Uiamho Lake & Samaksan, side by side
Myeongdong & Chuncheon StationUiamho Lake & Samaksan
Getting thereITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan to Chuncheon Station, about 1 h 13–15 min (LEGOLAND); Gyeongchun Line from Sangbong, about 1 h 25 min (VisitKorea, 2019).The same trains to Chuncheon Station, then LEGOLAND's free shuttle from Exit 1, hourly from 09:30; by car, Chuncheon IC or Gangchon IC (LEGOLAND).
Getting aroundOn foot to the Soyang River Maiden statue, beside the Soyanggang Skywalk, about 1.2 km from the station (VisitKorea, 2019); Gongjicheon about 4 min by taxi (VisitKorea, 2016).The LEGOLAND shuttle, then taxis: about 13 min from Chuncheon Station to the Uiamho Lake Skywalk (VisitKorea, 2016).
Best forFirst visits, travelling without a car, dakgalbi, rainy days.Families, LEGOLAND, lake views, canoeing.
FoodMyeongdong Dakgalbi Street, a 150-metre alley of dakgalbi restaurants, in the city VisitKorea calls dakgalbi's birthplace.Restaurants and cafés at the cable car's Uiamho Lake Stop, and a café at Samaksan Mountain Stop.
EveningsSunset from the Soyanggang Skywalk, open until 21:00 from March to October and 18:00 from November to February.The lake cable car until 20:00 from June to November, 21:00 on Saturdays.
Sightseeing within reachMyeongdong Street, Jungang Market (1960), the Soyang River Maiden statue, Gongjicheon Stream, Kangwon National University and Chuncheon National Museum.The Samaksan Lake Cable Car, the Uiamho Lake Skywalk, LEGOLAND Korea Resort and guided canoeing on the Bukhangang River.
Day tripsSoyang Dam, the boat to Cheongpyeongsa and the Makguksu Museum in Sinbuk-eup; Nami Island via Gapyeong Station, about 18 min by ITX (LEGOLAND).Kim You Jeong Literary Village and Gangchon Rail Park to the south, on VisitKorea's 16 km course with the cable car.
FestivalsThe Mime Festival (24–31 May in 2026) and the Makguksu & Dakgalbi Festival (14–18 October in 2026, between Hyojagyo and Gongjigyo bridges).Mime Festival events at LEGOLAND's outdoor car park, 29–31 May in 2026 (LEGOLAND).
FeelA downtown: a shopping street, a covered market and the river.A lakeside: cabins over the water, glass walkways and a theme park on an island.

Choose Myeongdong & Chuncheon Station if

  • It is your first time in Chuncheon
  • You are travelling without a car
  • Dakgalbi is the point of the trip
  • You want a half-day trip to Soyang Dam and Cheongpyeongsa

Choose Uiamho Lake & Samaksan if

  • LEGOLAND Korea Resort is on the plan
  • You want to ride the Samaksan Lake Cable Car
  • You want to canoe on the Bukhangang River
  • Kim You Jeong Literary Village and Gangchon Rail Park are on your list

Questions visitors ask

Is downtown or the Uiamho side better without a car?

Downtown. The ITX-Cheongchun and the Gyeongchun Line both end at Chuncheon Station, the Soyang River Maiden statue, beside the Soyanggang Skywalk, is about 20 minutes' walk away by VisitKorea's 2019 Korean guide, and the dakgalbi alley and the covered market are in the old centre. The Uiamho side works without a car for LEGOLAND, thanks to the free shuttle from Exit 1, but the cable car and the lake skywalk are taxi rides.

Which is better for LEGOLAND Korea Resort?

The Uiamho side, if the lake is part of the plan: LEGOLAND is on Jungdo island, which VisitKorea's 2026 guide places by Uiamho Lake, and the Samaksan Lake Cable Car makes a second outing. Arriving by train for the park alone, downtown by Chuncheon Station works as well, because LEGOLAND's free shuttle leaves Exit 1 every hour from 09:30.

Can I do both in one trip?

Yes, and two nights is the best way. VisitKorea's 2024 guide says half a day is not enough for Chuncheon. Spend the first night downtown for the dakgalbi alley and sunset on the Skywalk, and the second on the Uiamho side for LEGOLAND and the cable car.

Read both in full.

Myeongdong & Chuncheon Station guideUiamho Lake & Samaksan guide

Sources & review

Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time