Service launches Friday

Tours visit Jeongeup's Naejangsan and Sunchang's Gangcheonsan

Fall foliage at Naejangsan in Jeongeup [Korail Tourism Networks]
Fall foliage at Naejangsan in Jeongeup [Korail Tourism Networks]

A special rail tourism package combining two of the country's top autumn foliage destinations with visits to traditional local markets is set to launch this week. The one-day itinerary includes mountain trekking, a suspension bridge walk and a tour of local market food stalls.

Korail Tourism Networks announced it will launch a special fall foliage train tour on Friday, visiting Naejangsan in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, and Gangcheonsan in Sunchang, South Jeolla Province.

The package uses the Paldo Jangter Tourism Train to combine visits to foliage spots with stops at regional traditional markets, all in a single day. It operates across three courses — two for Naejangsan and one for Gangcheonsan — with prices starting at 69,000 won ($51).

Trains depart Seoul Station at 7:30 a.m., with additional boarding available at Yeongdeungpo, Suwon, Pyeongtaek and Cheonan stations. Passengers disembark at Jeongeup or Iksan stations and travel onward to the sightseeing destinations by connecting vehicle. The return train is scheduled to arrive back at Seoul Station at 9:50 p.m.

The Naejangsan course has passengers alight at Jeongeup Station and spend about three hours exploring the mountain's foliage tunnel. A kimbap dosirak is provided for lunch, and the evening includes a visit to Jeongeup's Saemgoeul Market to browse local food and specialty products.

The Naejangsan package comes in two tiers: a 69,000-won option that includes lunch, and an 89,000-won option that covers both lunch and dinner. Dinner is a bulgogi hot pot set meal.

The Gangcheonsan course features about an hour of fall foliage trekking and a visit to the Chaegyesan suspension bridge. Participants walk roughly 2 kilometers along a flat trail taking in the autumn mountain scenery, then take in the views from the bridge — 270 meters long and up to 90 meters high. The course concludes with a stroll through Iksan's traditional market street and is priced at 74,900 won.

All packages include a 10,000-won Onnuri gift voucher redeemable at local traditional markets. Full itineraries and reservations are available through the Korail Tourism Networks travel website or its customer service center.

"We designed the packages so travelers can enjoy both the autumn foliage and the local traditional markets," said Song Gwang-seok, chief executive of Korail Tourism Networks. "We hope rail travel will bring new energy to regional tourism and traditional markets."


terry@heraldcorp.com