✨ Gapyeong Themed Travel Itineraries : Aesthetic & Photo Spots
"Looking to escape the city and find beautiful places to unwind, take dreamy photos, and sip slow coffee? This itinerary is for you."
Gapyeong isn’t just about water sports — it’s also a paradise for aesthetic seekers. Whether you’re a photographer, a cafe lover, or just someone who enjoys nature and design, this route offers a perfectly balanced trip full of Instagrammable moments and peaceful vibes. Here's how to enjoy it like a local, but prettier.
📸 Day Trip Course (For the One-Day Shutterbugs)
🕘 9:00 AM – Depart from Seoul
Board the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni Station.
Get off at Cheongpyeong Station, just under 90 minutes from Seoul.
📝 Tip: Weekday mornings = fewer crowds and better photo ops.
🌿 10:30 AM – The Garden of Morning Calm
Take a 20–30 minute taxi ride to The Garden of Morning Calm — one of Korea’s most beloved gardens.
This place is a seasonal wonderland:
🌸 Spring flowers
🌻 Summer hydrangeas
🍁 Fall foliage
🎄 Winter light shows
Explore over 20 themed gardens like the Sky Path, Sunken Garden, and Korean Garden.
Every turn offers a frame-worthy view.
☕ Bonus: Small cafés inside the garden make for a perfect photo-and-pause moment.
🍽 1:30 PM – Lunch at a Nearby Aesthetic Restaurant
After a slow stroll and 100+ photos, walk or taxi to a nearby restaurant.
💫 Try Korean set meals with modern plating or light fusion brunches with local ingredients.
Most cafés here have mountain views or traditional hanok-style interiors.
☕ 3:00 PM – Bukhangang Riverside Cafe Tour
Take a taxi to the Bukhangang riverside area near Gapyeong Station.
Visit a large café like:
- Ikovox Coffee
- Urban Place Gapyeong
- Starbucks Bukhangang R.
These cafés are known for:
🪟 Floor-to-ceiling windows
🏞 Stunning river and mountain views
📸 Minimalist interiors perfect for content creators
💡 Photo tip: 3–5PM = soft light, fewer shadows. Stay for sunset if you can.
🚉 5:30 PM – Return to Seoul
Head back to Cheongpyeong Station and take the ITX-Cheongchun train home.
Expect to be back in Seoul by 7:00 PM.
🏡 1 Night 2 Days Course (For the Dreamy Weekend Stay)
🕘 [Day 1]
Follow the same morning course: Seoul → Cheongpyeong → Garden of Morning Calm → Lunch.
Then, at 3:00 PM, continue to:
🇫🇷 Petite France & Italian Village
Get ready for a European escape without a plane ticket.
📷 Petite France: A pastel-colored village inspired by The Little Prince.
🎭 Italian Village: Pinocchio, Da Vinci vibes, cobblestone paths, and live performances.
Every step is a photo zone.
🏠 6:00 PM – Check-in at a Bukhangang-View Pension
Book a place like The Stay or Clubfish, known for:
- Large windows and designer interiors
- River or mountain views
- Quiet, cozy atmosphere
You’ll want to take as many pictures inside as you do outside.
🍷 7:30 PM – Dinner
Choose between:
🥩 BBQ at your pension
🍽 A fine-dining spot near the Bukhangang river with candlelight and view
Perfect way to close your aesthetic day.
🥐 [Day 2]
Sleep in, then enjoy a homemade breakfast or late brunch.
☕ Your pension’s balcony, living room, or even kitchen could double as a photoshoot set.
📍 11:00 AM – Another Riverside Cafe
Pick a new café you didn’t visit on Day 1. Some suggestions are:
- Namihana
- Bukhangang Atelier
- Hidden cafés near Route 75
Take it slow. Try a new dessert. Photograph your coffee. Repeat.
🍽 1:30 PM – Lunch Nearby
Most riverside cafés are surrounded by elegant restaurants or fusion eateries. Enjoy a relaxed meal before your final stop.
🌲 3:00 PM – Jade Garden Arboretum (Optional)
If you still have energy, visit Jade Garden, known as “a small Europe in the forest.”
It’s a bit closer to Chuncheon, but still worth the detour.
🌿 Wide lawns, flower tunnels, ivy walls = ultimate fairy tale vibes.
📍 Plan 1–2 hours here before returning.
🚆 5:00 PM – Back to Seoul
Take the ITX from Cheongpyeong or Chuncheon Station, depending on where you end your trip.
📌 Local Tips
- 🎫 Book ITX train tickets online 3+ days ahead
- 🧳 Bring extra camera batteries & memory cards
- 📱 Use Kakao T for taxis
- 🌤 Avoid rainy days for best lighting
- 📸 Best time to shoot: 9–11AM, 3–6PM
📥 Want a downloadable PDF with map links, stay options, and café guides?
👉 Click here to access it