The Timeless Charm of Seomjingang Train Village in Jeollanam-do
Traveling around the countryside of Korea is such an opportunity to travel back in time. While Seoul can seem so modern and new, there are plenty of places in Korea still that offer the opportunity to be transported to another age. Take the Seomjingang Train Village (섬진강기차마을) in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do; dedicated to Korea’s railway heritage, you can take a ride on an old steam engine train and enjoy a beautiful rural landscape. And if that’s not enough, it’s also home to a substantial flower garden. It’s a great family-friendly adventure to take to the heart of Korea.
Visit Gokseong in Jeollanam-do for a ride on the retro rails:
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How To Get There
Address: 232 Gichamaeul-ro, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 곡성군 오곡면 기차마을로 232)
By Train: From Seoul, you can take a train to Gokseong Train Station and be there in around 3 hours. From there, you can walk to the Seomjingang Train Village in about 5 minutes as it’s right outside.
Basic Info
Hours: Every day: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
Admission: W5,000
Steam Train Admission: Adults: Round trip: W9,000; One Way: W6,000; Children: Round trip: W8,000; Children: W5,000
| Departure from train village | Arrival at Gajeong Station | Departure from train village | Arrival at Gajeong Station | |
| 1 | 9:30am | 10:00am | 10:15am | 10:45am |
| 2 | 11:00am | 11:30am | 11:45am | 12:15pm |
| 3 | 1:00pm | 1:30pm | 1:45pm | 2:15pm |
| 4 | 2:30pm | 3:00pm | 3:15pm | 3:45pm |
| 5 | 4:00pm | 4:30pm | 4:45pm | 5:15pm |
Railbike Adission: W10,000 for 4 people
Travel Back In Time On The Rails
A creation born out of a government initiative in April 1999 to enliven regional tourism, this quaint village has, over the years, morphed into quite the destination for both locals and travelers seeking a journey back in time surrounded by the beauty of rural Korea. Though I say “quite the destination”, it is still small so keep that in mind when you’re headed there. It has plenty to see for a day though.
Seomjingang Train Village brings together the best of locomotive history, a beautiful garden, and even rides for kids, a petting zoo, and so much more. It’s a vibrant culture park that is a great stop on any road trip or train trip through Jeollanam-do. As you wander through the village, the old Gokseong Station emerges as a portal to the past and is where you can access historic trains and a platform preserved in time.
Gokseong Station From The 1930s
At the heart of Seomjingang Train Village lies the Gokseong Station, a relic of the 1930s that now serves as the centerpiece of a theme park brimming with gardens, fountains, and attractions for children. At some point in your visit, you’ll want to head here because around here is where you can catch the steam engine train. Make sure to note the train times when heading in so you don’t miss the ride.
Take A Ride On The Steam Engine Train
The centerpiece of Seomjingang Train Village is undoubtedly its steam engine train, a faithful recreation of the locomotives that once traversed these lands. Imagine stepping onto a replica of the old steam engine train, a nod to the region’s rich history, as it leisurely makes its way along a 10-kilometer stretch between the historic Gokseong Station and Gajeong Station. This journey along the riverbanks is said to be beautiful year round featuring cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in the summer, autumn foliage views, and wintery snow.
Operating multiple times a day, the train schedule accommodates both weekday wanderers and weekend explorers. The interior of the train is decorated as it was and has simple classic seating. The ride down takes 30 minutes and while your ride, be sure to look out for the steward with snacks. Might as well sit back and enjoy the journey and the views with a treat, right?
As the train chugs along, passengers are treated to the stunning vistas of Jirisan National Park, a natural fortress that stands guard over the southern terrains of Korea. Once at Gajeong Station, you’re welcome to disembark to walk across a beautiful pedestrian bridge to enjoy the views or a drink at a cafe on the other side before heading back for your return journey 30 minutes later. In total, the trip down and back will take 90 minutes.
Railbike Rides
For those preferring a more grounded exploration, rail bikes offer an alternative route along a 5.1 km track. You could just spend hours on the rails in this park. Take the train and then railbike, and then there’s even a mini-train in the park too. Ride them all if you have time!
Rose Garden Views
While I visited in the autumn and had a great time taking everything in, the train village also hosts a, from what I can tell from photos, beautiful rose festival each May. The rose garden has over a thousand varieties of roses from around the globe. If you’re looking for that off the beaten path spring trip in Korea, this might just be where you need to go.
For those yearning for an experience that blends history, nature, and the thrill of the rails, Seomjingang Train Village in Gokseong is the place to go. If you have kids, there is PLENTY to do for a full day here.
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