Uiamho Lake

Uiamho Lake is the reason Chuncheon calls itself the "City of Lakes". When the hydroelectric Uiam Dam was built on the middle Bukhangang River in 1967, the waters of the Bukhangang and Soyanggang rivers gathered to form this lake. Water and mountains meet right next to the city, so you can enjoy the lake from several heights: on foot, by bike or from a cable car.

About the lake

Uiamho is an oval lake about 8 km long and 5 km wide, covering roughly 17 km². Uiam Dam has a generating capacity of 45,000 kW. Islands such as Sangjungdo, Hajungdo and Bungeoseom float in the middle, and parts of them have been turned into leisure grounds and a theme park. To the south rises the rocky peak of Samaksan, framing the water with mountains.

What to see

• Uiam Skywalk: a viewing platform attached to the floating section of the lakeside cycle path, opened in June 2014. It stands 12 m above the water, with a 10 m straight section and a circular deck 10 m across, all floored with toughened glass, so you seem to walk on the lake. Samaksan and the water spread out in front of you.

• Samaksan Lake Cable Car: a 3.61 km line from Samcheon-dong across Uiamho to Samaksan. In the glass-floored crystal cabins you look straight down at the water, and the observation deck at the upper station gives a full view over Chuncheon.

• Uiamho cycle path: a lakeside path that is also open to walkers. Walking from Songam Sports Town to the Skywalk takes you close to the water.

• On the water: canoeing on the Mullegil water trail and windsurfing are among the activities on offer.

• Samaksan upper station: the upper cable car station has a glass-walled café, and a 10-minute walk along the trail brings you to a second skywalk viewpoint.

• Islands in the lake: Sangjungdo and Hajungdo are now home to the Legoland Chuncheon theme park. Near the Skywalk, a lakeside monument honours the novelist Kim Yu-jeong.

Tripto tips

• Best time: early morning mist and sunset are especially beautiful. In autumn the coloured ridges of Samaksan are reflected in the lake.
• Skywalk hours: 09:00–18:00, free. It closes in winter, from mid-November to mid-March, and entry is restricted in bad weather.
• Parking: space near the Skywalk is limited. Leave your car at the free Songam Sports Town public car park and walk about 15 minutes along the cycle path.
• Cable car: hours and fares vary by season and cabin type, and it may not run in bad weather, so check the official website.
• Getting there: from Seoul, take the ITX-Cheongchun train or the Gyeongchun Line to Chuncheon. The lakeshore is not far from Chuncheon Station.
• Time needed: 1 hour for a Skywalk walk, 2–3 hours if you add the cable car.