Passengers with a Haerang ticket are provided with a room in which to sleep and rest, and three meals a day throughout their trip. In the daytime, they stop at various locations to visit popular tourist destinations in the area, to sample local delicacies and to eat at renowned restaurants. While on board, travelers can enjoy the landscape passing by the large glass windows and participate in various types of events organized by the Haerang attendants, including magic shows, quiz competitions and mini concerts. All the snacks -- fruit, cookies, cake and more -- provided on board are free and limitless, as is all the wine you can drink.
Since its launch in 2008, the train has won popularity from both domestic and international tourists, and has been used by more than 20,000 overseas visitors. This year, the Haerang was recognized as the Best Travel Program for 2014-2015 by the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA).
Korail's Haerang passenger train service provides three different options, spanning either two days or three days, for those who want to travel around the country but don't have much time.
The Haerang train service has both deluxe rooms (left) and suites.
Snacks and wine on board Korail's Haerang passenger train service are all free.
Marking its sixth anniversary this year, the Haerang trains went through a renovation this summer with a new exterior design and interior facilities. Korail has recently come up with new Haerang lines, bringing luxury train travel to the furthest corners of the nation.
The Haerang Aura line, currently on operation, allows the traveler to journey around the whole country over two nights. The Haeorum and Ssimile lines head for Gyeongsang Province and Jeolla Province, respectively, and will start service this fall.
The Aura line crosses the peninsula in a U-shaped direction, starting from the capital city, Seoul. The train stops in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Busan, South Gyeongsang Province, Jeongdongjin, Gangwon Province and, finally, at Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, before returning to Seoul.
The reed marshlands of the Suncheon Bay Ecological Park change with the seasons, giving visitors a new vista to enjoy each time they return.
The Nakaneupseong is one of the best-preserved Joseon fortress villages.
Busan, the nation's second largest city, is known for its beautiful beaches, particularly Haeundae Beach. Haerang passengers can visit Haeundae's marina while stopped in the southern city.
Tourists gather at the Jeongdongjin early in the morning to view the sunrise.
The Ssimile and Haeorum lines take travelers deeper into Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces
Haerang passenger train service will come up with the new Ssimile line in November and the Haeorum line in December.
The Jeondong Catholic Church is in the Jeonju Hanok Village in the North Jeolla capital of Jeonju.
Pictured is the Seondol Cliff, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province.
The Ssimile line heads for Jeolla Province and makes a stop in Gunsan to allow passengers to learn a bit about the nation's modern history. The train also stops at Seonunsa Temple, known for its beautiful scenery surrounded by a forest of camellias, at the Gochang Dolmen Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and at the Jeonju Hanok Village, where travelers can learn more about many of the region's traditions and customs. The final stop of the Ssimile line is in Gwangcheon where travelers can taste and make pickled shrimp, a dish known for its naturally-occurring fermentation process.
The Haeorum line traverses the southeast of the peninsula, making stops at several cities in Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon Province. Travelers can explore the royal tombs of kings, queens and nobles at the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital that thrived for almost one thousand years. As part of the entertainment arranged for the train passengers, "Changiparanga," a play about the ancient Silla military, will be performed, too.
The Haeorum line also includes a trip to Jikjisa Temple in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, and to the Cheongryeongpo in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, to where the "boy king," King Danjong (r. 1452-1455), was exiled.
A ticket on the Aura line runs between KRW 2.4 and 3.6 million, while that of the Ssimile and Haeorum lines between KRW 1.6 and 2.3 million, all depending on the room and the number of travelers.
More information is available : ask@korailtravel.com or yangjiseok@korailtravel.com
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By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
