Friday, April 1, 2011

Zip Line from Gapyeong to Nami Island

Having just opened last November 2010, very little has been written about Nami Island’s (Namiseom) latest attraction, the 940 meter long Nami Skyline ZipWire ZipRider (zip-line cable ride) from Gapyeong Wharf to Namiseom.  And their website is not helpful unless you know how to read Korean.

So, EJ, Annette, Ria and I had to discover it by ourselves when we went there.

Nami Island can be reached by Tour Bus from Insadong, Seoul.  Round trip fare costs W15,000 (or P600*).  However, They follow only one schedule.  The bus leaves Insadong at 9am and returns at 4pm.  I didn’t want to go there on a fixed schedule, so I decided to go there via Korail train.

From wherever you are billeted in Seoul, take the subway to Sangbong Station (using Line 7 or the olive green line).  Fare should be around W1,000 (or P40).  When you get there, transfer to the Gyeongchun Line and take the train to Gapyeong Station.  Don’t worry, directional signs are in Korean and English so you won't get lost.  Fare should be around W1,800 (or P70).  Gapyeong is 60 kilometers east of Seoul and the train ride should take about 60 to 70 minutes.

Once you get to Gapyeong Station, you take a taxi to Gapyeong Wharf.  Fare should be W3,000 (or P120).  The Nami Skyline Zipwire ZipRider Tower is next to the wharf.

From Gapyeong Wharf, you can reach Nami Island by ferry.  Round-trip fare (including entrance to the island) costs W8,000 (P320).

OR, you can take the Zipwire, which is what WE did.

There were no lines to the zipwire, compared to the line for the ferry.  Either the tourists were scared of ziplining, or they thought it was too cold to hang on a zipline 80 meters (260 feet) above the Cheongpyeong Lake.

According to the guy at the front desk, their zipline is Euro Standard compliant.  It was built by the same company who built ziplines in Utah, Colorado, California, New Hampshire, Vermont and Switzerland.

Ziplining from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island will set you back W38,000 (P1,500), including entrance and return ferry.

Feeling adventurous, the four of us tried it out.

You get to the top floor via elevator.  It was cold that day.  Temperature was about 4 degrees Centegrade (4°C).  The wind was blowing, but the tower did not sway--as I had earlier expected.  The tower was solid and sturdy, which was good.

Once you get to the top, you will be met by a guy who will brief you on what to do.  Basically, sit down and lift your feet when you land.

While waiting, there was a tent with a heater to warm ourselves.

Watching the couple ahead of us zipline to Nami Island.

When it was our turn, we jumped into our harnesses.  The zipline guys strapped us in.  And then opened the doors.  Only then do you realize how high up you are from the ground, and it’s too late to back out!

Annette and EJ getting ready for their turn.


Surprisingly, the ride down was not fast like a rollercoaster.  Ria and I glided on average speed (the website says about 35 mph).  The speed was just enough for us to take in the experience and enjoy the scenery.  I used my point and shoot camera to videotape the whole ride.  Will post it next time.

The zipline ride lasted for about 1 minute.  It was quick, but well worth it.  After all, how many of us can say that they ziplined a kilometer, 80 meters above a lake in South Korea?





My next post will be about our time in Nami Island.

Budget:

Item
Price
Subway Fare to Sangbong Station
P 40
Train Fare to Gapyeong
P 70
Taxi to Gapyeong Wharf
P 120
Zip-Line to Nami Island with Entrance and Ferry
P  1,500
TOTAL
P 1,730

 
*As of March 2011, currency exchange rate is W1 = P0.04

18 comments:

  1. Hi, my cousins and I are interested to go to Nami Island via the zipline route, however is there any place at the zipline station to put our lugages?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Lee Jasmine! Yes, you can leave your bags at the reception area. (3rd photo from the top) Enjoy your trip!

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  2. Hi Kris!

    How did you go back from Nami Island to the wharf? Not via zipwire again right? Did you leave your bags behind or brought it with you?

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    1. Hi, Peddler of dreams!
      We took the ferry back to Gapyeong Wharf.
      We didn't carry backpacks on our trip to Nami Island so we had no problem. But if you have bags with you, you can leave them at the reception area.

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  3. love ur blog! thank you for the tips!!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Maruko! I hope it's still relevant even though its been 2 years after our trip. : )

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  4. Love your blog and the lovely pictures as well as the tips.
    Anyway, I would like to ask whether a small bagpack is allowed during the zip ride? Or is a slingbag preferred?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Sheng! You can bring a small backpack if you want, but they will warn you it might fall off. Plus, you'll be sitting on a canvas chair, so you might have to carry the backpack in front of you. Good luck and enjoy!

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  5. Ziplining is the fast-growing adventure activity, according to Corio because, it’s “accessible for everybody. It doesn’t really matter your age as long as you’re willing to take a step off that platform. Anybody can do it.

    Photos of Kanab

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  6. Hi Kris.

    Nice blog! May I check. Does you need to make reservation for the zipline ride? Or can just get the ticket at the counter of zip-wire?

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    Replies
    1. No need to reserve. You can buy a ticket when you get there! Happy trip!

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  7. I am just curious how cold up there when you zipline I am going there next week and wondering if the cold is tolerable while you were riding the zipline

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Akemi. It was around 4 degrees celsius when we visited in March. I assume it is colder in February. So be prepared for 0 degrees. Good luck and Enjoy!

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  8. Hi Kris, what time u reach the zip wire tower as I understand the waiting time will be very long?

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  9. Hi Kris, a backpack is allow to ride together ?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, at that time, you can bring a backpack with you.

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  10. Hi. Do they have like a rental camera there that can be used for the zipline experience?

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  11. They can take video of your zip ride but they will charge you for it.

    ReplyDelete