26 Jan
A couple weekends ago, a group of us decided we needed a proper winter escape — and ended up in Gapyeong, a laid-back countryside gem of a city just outside of Seoul. Gapyeong is one of those places that’s incredibly easy to get to, and our trip turned out to be one of my favorite mini-getaways yet.
High-speed trains are the fastest option—Seoul to Busan takes about 3 hours—while buses are cheaper but slower due to traffic. Either way, you’ll enjoy a comfortable ride as South Korea’s countryside whizzes by. If you’re looking for the best places to travel outside of Seoul, start with these destinations.
How We Got There
Getting to Gapyeong from Seoul is super convenient — you can take the subway to Gapyeong Station (가평역) and then grab a taxi to wherever you’re staying or exploring next. From Seoul it’s usually about an 80-minute subway ride with a couple of transfers, and the occasional ITX train can be quicker but it really depends on timing so I would recommend the subway any day. We found a traditional hanok on Airbnb not too far from the station, which ended up being the highlight of the whole trip.
Our Hanok Stay
From the moment we arrived I knew this was going to be a different kind of weekend. The hanok had that classic wood-oven heated floor (called ondol), which means the floor literally radiated warmth — exactly what you want during the winter chill. Our host showed us the heating system where she would stoke the fire every few hours to heat the hanok the traditional way, a really special experience that I have never seen before. We slept on floor mats right on top of that heated wooden goodness, and it was honestly one of the coziest sleeps I’ve ever had.
Our host was incredible. She gave us homemade kimchi straight from her kimchi pots along with seasonal veggies, and kept insisting we play our music as loud as we wanted, since we had the whole house to ourselves with no other guests around. Check-in and check-out were seamless, and she even used Papago, a Korean-English translator, to chat with us whenever we needed anything which made the whole experience feel effortless.
Outside, there was a huge BBQ pit, perfect for grilling at night while we sipped tea and listened to music under clear winter skies, a total contrast to city living in Seoul. We stopped at a grocery store near the station to pick up a bunch of meat and veggies to prepare for dinner. The kitchen of the airbnb came stocked with oils, salt, pepper, and other cooking essentials which was extremely useful.
More Things to Do in Gapyeong
Even though we really just spent time relaxing at the hanok, Gapyeong has so much to explore nearby if you’re up for it:
Cheongpyeong Lake – A beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and outdoor activities like boating and water sports in warmer seasons.
The Garden of Morning Calm – A massive, serene arboretum with themed gardens and seasonal festivals (especially gorgeous with the winter lights).
Gapyeong Rail Park – Rent pedal bikes and ride along old train tracks with scenic views — perfect for an active afternoon but probably better in the summer or spring season.
Why This Weekend Still Feels Special
For me what made this trip so memorable was the combination of cozy downtime and real Korean countryside life. I love living in Seoul but there is something so refreshing about waking up without an alarm, making breakfast in a wood-warmed house, and planning your day around simple pleasures with your besties. Gapyeong reminds you that you don’t always need skyscrapers or packed shopping malls and cafes to have fun. Sometimes all you need is a traditional hanok, a chilly breeze, and the freedom to blast Beyoncé without judgement.
Michelle Duquette, Marketing Assistant
Michelle Duquette is from Toronto, Canada and moved to South Korea in 2015. She has a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in ESL Education. Michelle has taught at Creverse campuses in Gangneung, Songpa, and Mokdong and currently works as a CDI and April Trainer. Michelle never set out to be a teacher but fell in love with Korean culture and the excitement of being in the classroom. Michelle lives in Seoul with her partner and two cats, Cherry and Frost.
