Samcheok Ocean Railbike gives riders a unique East Coast tour!

The coastline along the East Sea is characterized by expansive beaches, cozy seaside communities, and dynamically changing scenery. Running against this splendid backdrop is the Samcheok Ocean Railbike, a specially-designed, four-wheel bike that gives riders an intimate look at the area's seaside splendor. Take a gentle pedal along the tracks as you feel the fresh wind blowing through the lush pine trees groves. The tour also has a more modern side; as you pass through each tunnel, you'll be treated to a fantastic laser light show. Don't miss out on this unique touring experience, a perfect combination of the beauty of nature and the wonders of modern technology.

The Samcheok Ocean Railbike Tour is 5.4 kilometers long. The tour starts from Gungchon Station (궁촌역), stops at the Chogok Rest Area (초곡휴게소), goes through Chogok Tunnel (초곡터널), Chogok Tunnel 2, and the Yonghwa Tunnel (용화터널) before reaching its final destination at Yonghwa Station (용화역) 40 minutes later. The specially-designed Railbike can seat two to four people and comes equipped with a small motor that kicks in during the uphill portions of the route. The maximum speed of the Railbike is 20 kilometers.

Captivating views of pines and the indigo-blue sea Soon after you begin your journey, you'll come across a beach surrounded by a lush grove of pine trees alongside a turquoise blue ocean and sparkling white sand. As the bike begins to pick up speed, the sea breeze feels stronger and more refreshing. After riding along past numerous scenic points, you'll find yourself at Chogok Rest Area, where you can get off the bike and take a break by visiting the observation deck or taking a look at the various sculptures. After a short 15-minute rest, climb back aboard to complete your journey. Pedal along past another pine forest to reach the Chogok Tunnel 2 featuring dioramas of the beautiful landscape of Samcheok. Charming underwater world in illuminated tunnels.

As the Railbike enters Chogok Tunnel 2, you will be greeted by what many consider the highlight of the ocean Railbike Tour: a colorful show of lights and lasers illuminating the dark tunnel interior. The 1.5-kilometer-long tunnel is dotted with various illuminated dioramas, lanterns, LEDs, and lasers. Images of dolphins and fish swimming and blue lighting transport visitors of all ages into this magical underwater world. Chogok Tunnel 2 ends in a brilliant display of lasers and LED lights as the Railbike passes through the Milky way Galaxy and a fleet of brightly shining stars.

The last tunnel is Yonghwa where the light show continues. Here you'll find a rainbow of colors straight out of a fairytale. This grand finale is a breathtaking show of light and color sure to astound!

The last destination of the Railbike tour is Yonghwa Station. The Yonghwa Beach nearby is small, but clean and quiet. Tucked out of the way, the beach is free from summer crowds and allows visitors to explore the area at a leisurely pace. The Yonghwacheon Stream flows to oneside of the beach and the adjacent pine grove is perfect for a shaded stroll. One both sides of the crescent-shaped beach are clustered of uniquely-shaped rocks that add the final scenic touch to this awe-inspiring scene.

Nearby attractions : Hwanseongul Cave, Daegeumgul Cave, Janghohang Port Samcheok is home to a number of old caves that took many years of excavation before they could be revealed to the world. Hwaseongul Cave is the largest limestone cave in Asia. Located in a mountain at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, the cave is 6.2 kilometers long. Hidden inside the cave are series of stalactites, a dozen of small lakes, and six waterfalls. Daegeumgul Cave can be accessed by monorail, which goes as far as 140 meters inside the cave. Near Janghohang Port, visitors can enjoy a beautiful coastline, a white sandy beach, interesting rock formations, and a variety of seafood dishes.

Visitor Information

Route: 5.4km along the coast from Gungchon-ri to Yonghwa-ri in Samcheok
Travel Time: 35 - 40 minutes
Departure: Gungchon Station (Gangwon-do Samcheok-si Geundeok-myeon,
Gungchon-ri 146-10) / Yonghwa Station (Gangwon-do Samcheok-si
Geundeok-myeon, Yonghwa-ri 14-6)
One-way fare: 30,000 won for four people, 20,000 won for two people
Reservation: Log in at the official site (www.oceanrailbike.com) to
make a reservation (Korean)
* Those interested in riding the Samcheok Ocean Railbike must make
reservations in advance via the official site (currently available in
Korean only). Non-Korean speakers are encouraged to ask a friend or
travel agent for assistance in making reservations.
Tel: 033-576-0656 (Korean)
Korea Travel Phone: +82-33-575-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
To get there:
Seoul → Samcheok
Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Subway Line 3, Express Bus Terminal
Station)-> Samcheok Express Bus Terminal (travel time: 3 hours, 30
minutes; first bus at 06:30, last bus at 23:30; bus departs every 40
minutes; fare: 15,900 won-25,700 won)

Samcheok → Gungchon station → Yonghwa Station
Take Bus 23 or 24 at Samcheok Express Bus terminal (travel time: 20 minutes).
Official site of Tourism in Samcheok http://eng.samcheok.go.kr
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

South Korea

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) forms the southern part of the Korean peninsula in East Asia. The only country with direct borders on South Korea is North Korea, lying to the north. To the east, South Korea borders on the Japanese Sea, with the Korean strait to the south and the Yellow Sea in the west.

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Geography and climate: the mountainous country consists mainly of mountains covered in forests in the east and uninhabited, flat, fertile plains in the west and the south. Korea is in a temperate climate zone with the usual four seasons also experienced in north and central European countries. The only exceptions are the southern coasts and the island of Jeju-Do, which tend to be in a subtropical climate zone as well as the mountains where a high mountain climate prevails.

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Mountains and rivers: the highest mountain in the country is the extinct volcano Halla-San, with an altitude of 1,950 m (6,397 ft) on the subtropical island of Jeju-Do, that is located 85 km off the Korean mainland. The highest mountain on the mainland is the Jirisan with 1,915 m (6,282 ft). There are four large rivers in the country, the Nakdonggang (length: 525 km) being the longest of these.

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Language and communication: the official and national language is Korean. English and Japanese are also understood in the cities and tourist resorts. Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. Medical care is good in all larger cities and the tourist resorts. Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eaten

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Entry requirements: British citizen passport holders may enter South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days without needing a visa. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and you should be in possession of an onward ticket. Visas are required for all other purposes. Please contact the nearest South Korean Diplomatic Mission before you travel for information on entry requirements for other purposes. Those with all other types of British passport should also contact the South Korean Diplomatic Mission before travelling about visa requirements. Some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country. For further information on exact requirements at immigration please contact the South Korean Diplomatic Mission.

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Arrival and onward journey: South Korea is easily accessible by air from all parts of the earth. Many scheduled airlines such as Lufthansa (LH) and Korean air fly from Europe to Seoul (SEL) daily. In South Korea there are good domestic flights for example Pu San (PUS), Daegu (TAE), Cheju (CJU) or Ulsan (USN) either with the national airline Korean Air or with Asiana Airlines (OZ) (Star Alliance).

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Capital city: Seoul is the capital of South Korea and, until the partition in 1948, was also the capital of the entire peninsula. Counting the greater city area, Seoul has a total of 22 million inhabitants. Almost 45 % of the Korean population live and work in the metropolitan area of Seoul and it thereby forms the third largest city in the world after Tokyo and Mexico City. The hill Namsam in the centre of the city provides a good view of the size of the city. It is popular with day trips for the local population and the summit may be reached either by foot or by using the cable car. There is a television tower on top of the hill, which is the landmark of the city and offers breathtaking views of the skyline of this cultural and financial metropolis. Any tour of the city should also include a visit to the Changdokkung Palace that has been used for festivities by the Korean royal family since the 17th century. The main gate, the oldest in the city and the south gate: Namdaemun that was built in 1448 and regarded as South Korea’s penultimate historical building, are a must on any tourist trail. The pagoda at the east gate, dating back to 1348, is also worth a visit. The hill Gwankasan is a significant recreational area close to the city for the local population of Seoul. There are several hiking paths in the surrounding area. An entire afternoon should be planned to fully explore the area.

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Places of interest and beaches: the cultural and historical highlight of any South Korea trip is a visit to Kyongju on the south coast. The town is about 330 km from Seoul and is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO considers the place to be one of the ten most important cultural and historical sites for humanity. Until the year 935 AD Kyongju was the capital of several dynasties for almost 1000 years and at that time was one of the largest cities on earth. The enormous number of important architectural monuments has given the city the nickname “museum without walls”. Many temples, ancient graves of kings and the oldest planetarium in Asia today bear testimony to the city’s former glory and significance. Bulguksa temple, located outside the city is also of interest: it is one of the most important Buddhist sites of South Korea. A further attraction are the Sokurram caves that accommodate a massive statue of the Buddha. The Tripitaka Koreana in the Haein temple built in 1448 is another highlight. This is considered a significant cultural asset throughout the world. It consists of 81,200 inscribed wooden blocks and is the most extensive Buddhist canon in the world. This invaluable cultural asset has been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1995. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Seokguram cave on the mountain of Tahoamsan. An impressive statue of the Buddha dating back to the 8th century is to be found there in a stone temple.The towns of Haeundae and Songjang on the south coast of Korea are recommended for beach holidays. The climate in the area is subtropical and the white sandy beaches are the most popular destinations for South Koreans. Skiing and snowboarding is also possible in the southern mountains. Winter sports are popular amongst South Koreans. The southern mountains are also the site of the three large national parks Soraksan, Odaesan and Chuwangsan, all easily accessible form the coastal road.

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Religion: about 46 % of South Koreans consider themselves without confession, 25 % are Christian and a further 25% are Buddhist. There is also a small minority of Confucians and Muslims.

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Major Cities and accommodation: Seoul, Pusan, Taegu, Inchon, Kwangju and Taejeon.

Jeju Island - South Korea

Jeju Island or Chejudo the largest island in South Korea, is about 130 Km south of Korea Peninsula. Jeju Island a land mass that rose from the seabed about 1~2 million years ago after an undersea volcanic eruption. The whole Jeju Island consists of basalt, dark-brown volcanic rock, lava rock and volcanic soil. Chejudo - The Island of Gods is a living folk village, a paradise island of South Korea, and a popular destination for honeymoon couples and tourists.

Originally Jeju was an independent country called Tamna. In 662AD Jeju became a province of Goryeo which was a part of present day South Korea. In 1121 Tamna was renamed Chejudo or Jeju Island. In 1910 Jeju and Korea were occupied by the Japanese. After the Second World War Jeju became a province of the Republic of Korea.

Jeju Island is culturally distinct from Korea due to its isolation from mainland Korea. Chejudo is never short of local legends; the most famous legend is the Tol Harubang sometimes spelled as Dolharubang. Tol Harubang is often regarded by Jeju folks as the god of protection and fertility, also believed as the guardian deities of Chejudo. Tolharubang is easily seen everywhere in Jeju Island as the statue of an old man sculptured from block of dark lava rock. Dol Harubang together with the Haenyo or Jeju women divers, are Jeju Island's most unique symbols. Traditionally Jeju women were often the head of the families. In olden days the Haenyo or women divers were usually the main income earners of the families but the Haenyeo is now becoming a dying trade.

Jeju Island's geographical location with its mild subtropical climate makes it a favourable tourist destination and tourism is Jeju Island's major contributor to its economy. Jeju Island's success in tourism owe much to its many magnificent natural wonders and Jeju Island's pre-historical background and mystical past is another big boost for Chejudo's tourism industry.

The major tourist attractions in Chejudo are its many sandy beaches, captivating natural sceneries, beautiful waterfalls, lakes, lava caves and lava rock formations, volcanic rocky land, huge craters, historical places and National Parks, plus living folk villages and folk relics. Jeju Island also has abundance of fresh sea food, local delicacies and exotic food. There are a large selection of places to stay on Jeju Island, the offer by our Google advertisement for the list of accommodation.

Jeju Island being blessed with all these natural wonders, angelic sceneries, local lengends, pre-historic and mystical past have long earned Jeju Island the coveted title "Island of The Gods".

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