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Gapyeong Town or Cheongpyeong?

Both bases sit on the Bukhangang River, and they suit different trips. Gapyeong town puts you by Gapyeong Station, 1.5 km from the Nami Island ferry, with Jarasum in the same town; Cheongpyeong puts you by the lake, Homyeonghosu Lake Park and the two theme villages. Here is how to choose.

The verdict

For Nami Island, a first visit, Jarasum or a trip without a car, choose Gapyeong town: Gapyeong Station has the ITX-Cheongchun and the Gyeongchun Line, the wharf is 20 minutes on foot or 5 by bus 10-4 on Nami Island's figures, and the 07:30 first ferry of the 2026 autumn season is an easy start. For water sports, Petite France and the Italian Village, or a quieter night, choose Cheongpyeong: Cheongpyeong Lake and Homyeonghosu Lake Park are on hand and bus 30-5 runs to the villages, though only some ITX trains stop. Two nights? Take one of each.

Side by side

Gapyeong Town & the Nami Island Wharf and Cheongpyeong, side by side
Gapyeong Town & the Nami Island WharfCheongpyeong
Getting thereITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong Station, about 42 min from Cheongnyangni or 60 from Yongsan; Gyeongchun Line, about 50 min from Sangbong (Nami Island official site).Gyeongchun Line to Cheongpyeong Station; some ITX-Cheongchun trains stop depending on the time of day (VisitKorea Korean guide, 2019).
BusesDong Seoul to Gapyeong Bus Terminal, about 1 h 10 min, 10 departures a day (VisitKorea, 2024); bus 10-4 to the Nami Island wharf, about 5 min (Nami Island official site).Dong Seoul to Cheongpyeong, about 1 h, about nine a day (VisitKorea Korean guide, December 2024); bus 30-5 to the theme villages.
Airport accessAREX to Seoul Station, then the subway to Cheongnyangni or Yongsan for the ITX; no Gapyeong route on Incheon Airport's late-night bus list.AREX to Seoul Station, then the subway to Sangbong for the Gyeongchun Line; no Gapyeong route on Incheon Airport's late-night bus list.
Best forNami Island, Jarasum, first visits, travelling by train.Water sports, Petite France and the Italian Village, a quiet lakeside night.
NatureThe river and its islands: Nami Island across the water and Jarasum's four isles, free and open all year.Cheongpyeong Lake, formed by Cheongpyeong Dam, and Homyeonghosu Lake Park's trails on Homyeongsan Mountain.
EveningsNami Island's late autumn ferries: the last to the island at 21:30 on Fridays, weekends and holidays until 22 November 2026.Homyeonghosu Lake Park, open 24 hours, and a quiet night by the lake.
Sightseeing within reachNami Island, Jarasum, the Gapyeong Rail Park railbikes and the General Lee Bang-sil Tomb.Petite France, the Italian Village, Cheongpyeong Lake's 30 boating areas and Homyeonghosu Lake Park.
Day trips and onward travelThe Garden of Morning Calm on the county loop bus; back to Cheongnyangni in about 42 min by ITX-Cheongchun (Nami Island official site).Gapyeong town and Nami Island up the Gyeongchun Line; the Garden of Morning Calm on the county loop bus.
FeelA river town built around the station, the wharf and the islands.A quieter lakeside base with fewer sights at the door and thinner transport.

Choose Gapyeong Town & the Nami Island Wharf if

  • Nami Island is the point of the trip
  • You want the first ferry of the morning
  • You are travelling by train without a car
  • You are coming for Jarasum or the jazz festival

Choose Cheongpyeong if

  • You want water sports on Cheongpyeong Lake
  • Petite France and the Italian Village are on your list
  • You want a quieter night by the water
  • You are happy to rely on bus 30-5, the loop bus and taxis

Questions visitors ask

Which is better for Nami Island?

Gapyeong town. The Nami Island Entry Wharf is in Gapyeong-eup, 1.5 km from Gapyeong Station: 20 minutes on foot on Nami Island's figure, about 30 on VisitKorea's (2024), or 5 minutes by bus 10-4 or taxi. In the 2026 autumn season the first ferry leaves at 07:30 every day, an easy walk from a night in town.

Which is better without a car?

Gapyeong town. Gapyeong Station has both the ITX-Cheongchun and the Gyeongchun Line, the terminal has 10 daily buses from Dong Seoul (VisitKorea, 2024), and bus 10-4 runs to the wharf in about 5 minutes (Nami Island official site). In Cheongpyeong, only some ITX trains stop, and the villages need bus 30-5 with walks of about 15 minutes at both ends (VisitKorea Korean guide, December 2024).

Where should I stay for Petite France?

In Cheongpyeong. Petite France and the Italian Village share an address, 1063 Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, and bus 30-5 runs from Cheongpyeong Terminal and the Cheongpyeong NH stop to the Petite France stop (VisitKorea Korean guide, December 2024). Both villages are open 09:00–18:00, all year.

Read both in full.

Gapyeong Town & the Nami Island Wharf guideCheongpyeong guide

Sources & review

Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time