Goheung yuzu, Gimcheon kimbap and Gumi ramyun await travelers who let the rails do the work
Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) on Thursday recommended three fall festivals worth visiting this season.
From the yuzu groves of Goheung to a kimbap spread in Gimcheon and a bowl of ramyun in Gumi, travelers can pick their destination by appetite and leave the getting-there to trains and local transit.
The first stop is Goheung, fragrant with yuzu, reached by transferring at Suncheon Station.
The Goheung Yuzu Festival runs Nov. 12–15 in Goheung-gun, South Jeolla Province. Visitors can make yuzu marmalade in ripening yuzu orchards, sample unusual yuzu dishes and stroll through the groves to busking performances for a fragrant late-autumn day.
For rail connections, a Goheung city tour bus departs from Suncheon Station on the Jeolla Line. During the festival, a special route will run from Suncheon Station to the festival grounds and the Buncheong Ceramic Museum and back. Adult fare is 10,000 won ($8), with admission and meals charged separately. The bus seats 56 passengers per day and advance reservations are required.
The second destination is Gimcheon in North Gyeongsang Province, accessible from two train stations, for a kimbap-themed autumn outing.
This weekend's recommended trip is Gimcheon. The Gimcheon Kimbap Festival runs Friday through Sunday, celebrating the beloved picnic staple with a food-focused lineup. Visitors can sample kimbap rolls made with all manner of ingredients and combinations, then walk off the meal at nearby Jikjisa Temple and Samyeongdaesa Park for a full autumn afternoon.
For rail connections, passengers on regular trains alight at Gimcheon Station on the Gyeongbu Line, while KTX riders use Gimcheon-Gumi Station — both offer free shuttle buses to the festival grounds. Checking departure times for the relevant train and shuttle eliminates any worry about parking at the venue.
The third stop is Gumi, where a bowl of ramyun awaits just steps from the station.
The Gumi Ramyun Festival runs Nov. 6–8 in the heart of downtown Gumi. After sampling freshly fried ramyun produced in Gumi and creative ramyun dishes, visitors can wander along Munhwa-ro and Geumni-dan-gil to take in the old city center.
For rail connections, passengers on Mugunghwa trains can walk directly from Gumi Station to the festival grounds. KTX travelers should transfer to Bus No. 5000 at Gimcheon-Gumi Station and ride to Gumi Station.
Before setting out, travelers are advised to check event schedules, train and connecting transit timetables, and city tour bus availability — and to arrange the return journey in advance for a more relaxed day at the festival.
"We hope the train can be a comfortable companion for enjoying local seasonal food and festivals," a Korail official said. "This fall, we encourage everyone to take it slow — from the scenery outside the window to every meal at your destination."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
