From December 21st, the Gyeongchun Line will provide double-track train service between Seoul’s Sinsangbong Station and Chuncheon. Travel time will reduce from 1hr 54 minutes to 1hr 29 minutes and the newly operating express service will further reduce travel time by another 10 minutes to 1hr 19minutes.Construction is also underway for high-speed train service which is scheduled for introduction late next year. High-speed rail service is expected to halve the travel time to 48 minutes. Since the Gyeongchun Line is an extension from the Seoul subway network, senior citizens aged 65 and over are eligible for free rides. The Mugunghwa train, which currently runs from Seoul to Chuncheon, will cease operation from December 20th. Passengers may transfer to the Gyeongchun Line at Sinsangbong Station which is connected with Sangbong Station of subway line #7 and the Jungang Line (central line). Sinsangbong Station is expected to be completed early December.

In time with the new rail service, Gangwon-do and Chuncheon-si have prepared unique events and promotions to attract more tourists from Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan areas. In partnership with the Chuncheon City Government and Korea Railroad, the Gangwon-do Provincial Office will hold the Chuncheon FAM tour for local tourists under the theme of ‘Romantic City of Chuncheon - Railroad Journeys’. Moreover, a Korean Wave (Hallyu)-themed tourist train will be in operation to attract foreigners as well as locals, every weekend (Sat & Sun) from December 25th.

Chuncheon City Government has also developed a strategic marketing plan to attract 10 million tourists to the area with the help of the Gyeongchun Line.

▶ Chuncheon City: The city government will construct tourist information centers at the Chuncheon and Gangchon stations adding to the existing ones at express bus terminal, Namchuncheon Station and Namiseom Island. Staff will be added to accommodate the needs of tourists as well. The Chuncheon City Tour bus, which runs four times a week, will operate everyday from December 21st. As a sharp increase in senior tourists is expected, the government plans to roll out the ‘Silver Tour Course’ which will visit the Pungmul (folk flea) market, spa resort, jade mine, Makguksu Experience Museum, and Makguksu & Dakgalbi restaurants. On top of this, the city will also release a smart phone application to provide tourist information service and introduce leisure & sports activities.