The West Gold Train runs through seven regions along the West Coast. Here, it has just departed Gunsan Station and runs along the Geumgang River estuary.
A train races along the West Coast of the peninsula, shining in its golden paint scheme.
The West Gold Train, a new tourist line run by the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail), runs through seven regions along the West Coast. Departing from Seoul's Yongsan Station, it runs through Asan, Yesan, Hongseong, Daecheon and Janghang in Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province), and runs all the way to Gunsan and Iksan in Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province), its final destination. Services begin February 5.
Prior to its official launch on February 5, Korail's new West Gold Train line is unveiled to the public during an opening ceremony at Seoul Station on January 29.
The train consists of seven carriages and includes the locomotive, a generator car and five passenger cars. Carriages Nos. 1, 2 and 4 are adorned in a blue-ocean motif.
The highlight of the train, however, lies in the third and fifth carriages. To help passengers make their trip more enjoyable, the two cars have an under-floor heating system (ondol) and heated foot baths, respectively.
One of the carriages on the West Gold Train is equipped with an under-floor heating system (ondol).
Passengers can enjoy a foot Jacuzzi with seats facing the windows on the West Gold Train.
Three passenger cars on the West Gold Train are decorated with a blue-ocean motif.
The ondol carriage comprises of nine rooms. It is furnished with wooden lamps, made of Chamaecyparis obtusa cypress wood and has a plaid interlocking wooden beam decoration on the walls. It's similar to what was used on the windows of traditional houses, giving the car the look of a traditional Hanok home. The ondol floor allows travelers to stretch out their legs and to mingle with each other more easily. Each room can accommodate three to six passengers.
The footbath café, equipped with eight foot baths, allows tourists to enjoy a soothing foot cleanse, putting their tired lower legs into the warm water while indulging in the scenery out the window as they sip their tea and sample the snacks.
Depending on personal preference, users can choose between a wet or dry foot bath. Passengers can buy tickets for KRW 4,000 for a dry foot bath and for KRW 5,000 for a wet one.
A passenger gets a manicure in the ondol carriage of the West Gold Train.
A guide from the National Institute of Ecology introduces certain plants to passengers on the West Gold Train.
A variety of events add more fun to the train trip, too. In the third carriage, designed as a café, a group of comedians appear to present their jokes every Thursday and Friday, while a guide from the National Institute of Ecology shows up to introduce part of the peninsula's ecological system on Fridays.
In addition, there are free-of-charge massages and nail art events.
“This is quite meaningful as the West Gold Train is a package tour that puts together tourist attractions along the West Coast, a rich repository of marine ecology and legacies embedded in each region,” said Korail President Choi Yeon-hye.
“This train aims at healing your exhausted body and spirit, as well as helping you to enjoy romance unique to a train trip,” she added.
Korail President Choi Yeon-hye (left) is interviewed by local media while she tries firsthand the ondol carriage on the West Gold Train.
The West Gold Train runs between Yongsan Station in Seoul and Iksan Station in Jeollabuk-do. It runs once per day from Thursday to Sunday until March. After March, it is slated to make two round trips per day.
Prices vary from about KRW 27,000 for a one-way trip to nearly KRW 150,000 for a package tour. However, using an ondol room adds an additional KRW 40,000 to the base price.
More information can be found by clicking on the link below.
http://www.letskorail.com/ebizprd/ebizPrd/g_train/recomm.do
The West Gold Train runs along the West Coast.
A children’s choir celebrates the launch of the West Gold Train during an opening ceremony at Seoul Station on January 29.
Korail President Choi Yeon-hye (center) and other representatives attend a tape-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the West Gold Train line on January 29.
Korail President Choi Yeon-hye (sixth from left) and other representatives sign an MOU concerning the newly-launched West Gold Train, on January 29.
Car attendants announce the launch of the West Gold Train during an opening ceremony on January 29.
Car attendants report to Korail President Choi Yeon-hye (left) during a launch ceremony for the new West Gold Train line on January 29.
Car attendants celebrate the start of the West Gold Train line during an opening ceremony on January 29.
By Sohn JiAe
Photos: Wi Tack-whan
Korea.net Staff Writers
jiae5853@korea.kr
This article was made possible in cooperation with Korail.
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