10 Things To Do In Gapyeong, Korea

Gapyeong, an area just east of Seoul, Korea in Gyeonggi-do, is a popular daytrip spot for many Seoulites looking to get out of the city and into nature for at least a day. On top of being home to numerous hills, forests, and rivers, there are also some interesting museums, quirky cafes, and musical hot spots that visitors can enjoy.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, a last minute wander, or just a cool area to explore in Korea, get Gapyeong on your radar and mark these things to do in Gapyeong on your map before you go.

The best things to do in Gapyeong, Korea are whatever things you’ll have the most fun doing. From fun to food and the adventure in between, here are the places to go in Gapyeong, and some might surprise you:

• Enjoy contemporary art at Koo House (구하우스 미술관)
• Walk Along the Colorful Facades In Petite France (쁘띠프랑스)
• Feed sheep at the Gapyeong Sheep Farm (가평양떼목장)
• Take a Walk In Yumyeongsan Resort Forest (유명산자연휴양림)
• Eat your fill of chicken stew at Donggigan (동기간)
• Listen to music on Jarasum Island (자라섬)
• Soak in nature in Garden of the Morning Calm (아침고요수목원)
• Peddle along the Gapyeong Rail Park (가평레일파크)
• Find the unique Yellow Bridge Museum (노랑다리미술관)
• Be transported to the Alps in Edelweiss Swiss Theme Park (에델바이스 테마파크)

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Enjoy contemporary art at Koo House (구하우스 미술관)

Koo House (구하우스 미술관) is a private museum that showcases a collection of contemporary art and design works. There are paintings and sculptures from floor to ceiling. And make sure to head to the garden outside and back around because there’s more art and installations to see around the outside of the building too.

The concept of the museum is ‘Living with Art’. The galleries are separated into reinterpreted rooms in a house and the art has been curated through a personal view of “how paintings, sculptures, photography and furniture can come together to present a wholly intimate perspective into the works of world’s preeminent artist’s and designer’s work.” They have a great collection.

• Address: 49-12 Munaemi-gil, Seojong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 양평군 서종면 무내미길 49-12 (문호리 779-5))
• Admission: Adults: W15,000; Children: W6,000
• Days: CLOSED Mondays & Tuesdays
• Hours: Wednesday – Friday: 1:00pm ~ 5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday & Public Holidays: 10:30am ~ 6:00pm
• Website: www.koohouse.org

Walk Along the Colorful Facades In Petite France (쁘띠프랑스)

Petite France (쁘띠프랑스) is a common addition on many tours out to the Gapyeong area. Very Instagrammable thanks to the colorful buildings in pink and yellow hues that are decorated with images in painted form and statue form of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s book Little Prince, it’s a whimsical place to see.

A lot of the buildings are also home to some pretty substantial collections of antiques. The Maison de Marie, for example, houses fine porcelain dolls made by Meissen, the first European porcelain maker. It’s a quirky village surrounded by Korean nature that manages to transport you outside of the continent.

• Address: 1063 Hoban‐ro, Cheongpyeong‐myeon, Gapyeong‐gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063)
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Admission: Adults: W10,000; Teens: W8,000; Children 36 months to elementary age: W6,000
• Take A Tour: The trip out to the station and then onto the bus can rack up a lot of time, so a lot of people opt to take a day tour. Numerous companies offer them and you can combine Petite France with some nearby stops with ease. Here are a couple options to look into:
  • Petite France & Nami Island with Klook: Klook offers a great option with just Petite France and Nami Island. But you have the option to add Garden of the Morning Calm and/or Gangchon Rail Bike to the tour as well if you want it to make a fabulous day out in the area. Check out tour details here.
  • Petite France, Nami Island, Garden Of The Morning Calm with Get Your Guide: Stop into three of the must see places in Gapyeong in ONE day. Get Your Guide is a great tour service with smooth tours that will get you out and back easily. Check out the tour to Gapyeong here.

Feed sheep at the Gapyeong Sheep Farm (가평양떼목장)

Gapyeong is home to a number of farms from goat farms to sheep farms and visiting them is great fun. The Gapyeong Sheep Farm (가평양떼목장) is especially nice with a beautiful cafe at the top of the hill with glass walls so that you can have coffee and a snack and still be surrounded by nature.

The combination of rustic farm with architecturally beautiful cafe makes this sheep farm a fun treat in Gapyeong. Visit the cafe, and then head down the hill to pick up your hay. The sheep are not just charming but incredibly friendly, allowing you to get up close, pet them, and even feed them right from your hand.

• Address: 1209 Yumyeong-ro, Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기 가평군 설악면 유명로 1209)
• Hours: Cafe hours are from 10:00am ~ 7:00pm but if you want to feed animals, visit between 10:00am ~ 5:40pm
• Admission: Feeding Experience only: W8,000; Feeding experience and drink: W13,000

Take a Walk In Yumyeongsan Resort Forest (유명산자연휴양림)

Yumyeongsan Resort Forest is the oldest recreational forest in Korea. You could opt to hike up to the peak of Yumyeongsan Mountain, or take a more leisurely walk in the recreational forest. Recreational forests in Korea have been set up to be convenient for everyone, even visitors with kids in strollers.

Seeking to provide respite for the weary and a break into nature, this kind of forest is a great place to just sit and relax or join one of the many healing programs on offer.

• Address: 79-53 Yumyeongsan-gil, Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기 가평군 서락면 유명산길 79-53)

Eat your fill of chicken stew at Donggigan (동기간)

Donggigan (동기간) has become one of my go-to places to eat in Gapyeong when we’re driving through because it’s so good, so filling, so cozy, and the atmosphere can’t be beat.

Take a seat in one of the little huts that seat individual groups to be surrounded by warmth and nature as you sup. It’s so enticing.

Not only are the meals here delicious, but they are hearty. The most popular menu items are the spicy young boiled chicken stew (토종닭볶음탕), and young boiled chicken stew (토종닭백숙). We always go for the boiled chicken stew that isn’t spicy. It has a deep umami taste that isn’t spicy but perfectly cozy. 

• Address: 459-158 Bonap-ro, Gapyeong-eub, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기 가평군 가평읍 보납로 459-158)
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00am ~ 10:00pm; Saturday – Sunday: 10:30am ~ 11:00pm (Break time: 4:20pm ~ 5:00pm)

Listen to music on Jarasum Island (자라섬)

Famous for hosting a number of music festivals throughout the warmer months, Jarasum island is also home to campgrounds and facilities as well as flowers and pine trees. The festivals held here often have that hippy vibe, so get ready to sit back and enjoy the show.

• Address: 60 Jaraseom-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 가평읍 자라섬로 60)

Soak in nature in Garden of the Morning Calm (아침고요수목원)

One of the most popular places for people to visit in Gapyeong certainly must make the list. The Garden of the Morning Calm (아침고요수목원) is considered one of the most beautiful curated gardens in Korea and it’s stunning year round (yes, even in the winter).

Inspired by Korea’s nickname “The Land of the Morning Calm”, this garden showcases some of the country’s most beautiful natural flora and fauna that are in harmony with the mountainous surroundings. It’s so picturesque, it has even be showcased in numerous Korean dramas and movies.

• Address: 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 상면 숨오권로 432)
• Join A Tour: The easiest way to get to Garden of the Morning Calm is by private car, which will take a few hours from Seoul, or on a tour. Join this Klook Tour: Alpaca World, Nami Island and Garden of the Morning Calm Tour. I think this one is worth it due to the difficulty to get to both Alpaca World and Garden of the Morning Calm on public transport.
• Hours: 8:30am ~ Sunset, later in the winter
• Admission: Adults: W11,000; Youth: W8,500; Children: W7,500
• Website: www.morningcalm.co.kr

Peddle along the Gapyeong Rail Park (가평레일파크)

If it’s not the hottest part of the summer, look into having some fun at the Gapyeong Rail Park (가평레일파크). All around Korea, you can find tourist friendly spots where derelict train tracks have been turned into a fun and mildly aerobic activity.

Don’t worry if you’re not super in shape, the rail bikes are semi-automated, so it’s not as strenuous as it could be. Choose from the two-seater or the four-seater and head off on the tracks showcased in famous movies like “The Letter” (1997).

• Address: 14 Jangteo-gil, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 가평읍 장터길 14)
• Tickets: You can get Gapyeong Rail Park tickets in advance on Klook or on kkday.
• Website: www.gprailpark.com

Find the unique Yellow Bridge Museum (노랑다리미술관)

As you approach the Yellow Bridge Museum (노랑다리미술관), you can’t miss the vibrant yellow bridge that beckons from a distance, setting the tone for what lies ahead. Well, to be honest, you can’t begin to guess what you’ll see inside this unique museum in South Korea.

Step into this Alice in Wonderland-like world where up is down and down is up and everywhere you look is a unique display of mundane things turned into art. This remarkable structure is a testament to the vision of Mr. Son Il-gwang, a first-generation fashion designer and the artistic genius behind the Yellow Bridge Art Gallery & Cafe.

• Address: 42-12 Yangjin-gil, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기 가평군 청평면 양진길 42-12)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
• Website: http://yellowbridge.kr/

Be transported to the Alps in Edelweiss Swiss Theme Park (에델바이스 테마파크)

Gapyeong seems to be a popular place to find European-themed villages. Edelweiss Swiss Theme Park (에델바이스 테마파크) is meant to reproduce the vibes of Switzerland with Swiss-style architecture in the mountainous region that surrounds it. They even have a cheese fondue experience.

We haven’t yet visited this one, but it’s on our list of things to see in Gapyeong the next time we’re driving through.

• Address: 226-57 Darakjae-ro, Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 설악면 다락재로 226-57)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Website: https://www.swissthemepark.com/

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Are you ready for an adventure into Gapyeong, Korea? Whether you’re looking for a nature getaway, a European-style escape, or an aerobic activity, there’s something to do in Gapyeong.

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