Chuncheon Cable Car Crossing 3.61 km of Uiam Lake to Reach Samaksan Skywalk

The background to the opening of the 3.61 km route across Uiamho Lake on October 8, 2021

Chuncheon Samaksan Lake Cable Car began operating on October 8, 2021. The route has a total length of 3.61 km, connecting the lower station beside Uiamho Lake in Samcheondong with the upper station near the summit of Samaksan Mountain. It crosses approximately 2 km of lake section and about 1.6 km of mountain section in one trip.

The key feature is that the facility does not simply ascend to the mountain summit; it continuously passes over the surface of Uiamho Lake and along the slopes of Samaksan Mountain. Official information describes it as the longest cable car in South Korea at 3.61 km and states that 20 of the total 66 cabins are Crystal Cabins with transparent floors.

KRW 24,000 for regular cabins and KRW 28,000 for Crystal Cabins: Round-trip tickets and eight-person shared-riding rules

As of August 2026, round-trip fares for regular cabins are KRW 24,000 for adults and KRW 18,000 for children. Crystal Cabin fares are KRW 28,000 for adults and KRW 22,000 for children. Adults are defined as middle school students and older, while children are those from 36 months old through elementary school age. For children under 36 months, it is safest to confirm the applicable fare criteria on site.

Each cabin accommodates eight people, and the official usage rules state that groups of six or more must ride together. Those who want to ride privately with their own group can choose the Premium Quick Pass, priced at KRW 240,000 for a regular cabin or KRW 270,000 for a Crystal Cabin. Quick Pass tickets that allow boarding without waiting while sharing the cabin with others cost KRW 40,000 and KRW 50,000, respectively.

• Same-day online reservations are unavailable. Discounts of 25% on weekdays and 15% on weekends and public holidays are listed.
• Chuncheon residents can receive discounts of 40% on weekdays and 30% on weekends and public holidays by presenting supporting documents.
• Residents of Gangwon State receive discounts of 30% on weekdays and 20% on weekends and public holidays. Discounts cannot be combined.

Closing at 20:00 from May to October and 21:00 on Saturdays; tickets stop being issued one hour before closing

From May through October, the cable car operates from 09:00 to 20:00 Sunday through Friday and from 09:00 to 21:00 on Saturdays. In March and April, the closing times are 19:00 and 20:00, respectively; in November, they are also 19:00 and 20:00; and from December through February, they are 18:00 and 19:00. Separate announcements may apply during holiday periods.

Ticket sales and same-day boarding close one hour before the end of operations. For example, on weekdays from May through October, tickets must be issued before 19:00, and on Saturdays before 20:00. Operations may end early or be suspended due to severe weather or safety concerns, so checking the official website for operating status and notices immediately before departure is essential.

The main telephone number is 1588-4888, and customer service hours for connecting with a counselor are listed as 09:00–17:00. The cabins have no air-conditioning or heating, so in midsummer it is advisable to bring water and sun protection, while in late autumn and winter, an outer layer that blocks the wind is recommended.

About 30 minutes by Bus 16 from Namchuncheon Station Exit 2, and about 50 minutes from Chuncheon Station

The address of the lower station is 245 Sports Town-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon State (Samcheondong 392-10). Public transportation options officially listed are Chuncheon city buses 16 and 6, both of which stop at the “Chuncheon Samaksan Lake Cable Car” stop.

From Namchuncheon Station, taking Bus 16 from the area near Exit 2 takes about 30 minutes; from Chuncheon Station, it takes about 50 minutes from Exit 1. Bus 16 connects Chuncheon Station, Jungang Market Transfer Center, Namchuncheon Station, the Intercity Bus Terminal, and the cable car. It is a low-floor bus operating approximately every 30 minutes, making wheelchair boarding possible. Bus 6 runs approximately every 120 minutes, so checking the timetable is particularly important.

• Travel by car from Chuncheon IC is listed as 9.2 km and approximately 18 minutes.
• From Namchuncheon IC, it is 20.6 km and approximately 24 minutes.
• From Gangchon IC, it is 21.8 km and approximately 25 minutes.

An 822 m upper deck trail and a 52 m skywalk, with no connection to the hiking trails

After arriving at the upper station, the Samaksan Mountain walking trail is an 822 m round-trip deck path and takes approximately 25 minutes according to official information. The skywalk observatory at the end is 52 m long and 35 m high, with part of its floor made of transparent glass.

This walking trail does not connect to the hiking trails of Samaksan Mountain. Therefore, if you are planning to hike, do not assume that you can continue directly to the summit from the upper cable car station. Access to the walking trail and skywalk may be restricted in bad weather or when hazards arise.

From May through October, the walking trail operates from 09:30 to 19:00 Sunday through Friday and from 09:30 to 20:00 on Saturdays. From December through February, the hours are shorter, ending at 17:00 and 18:00, respectively. Bringing food or drinks, smoking, drinking alcohol, and leaving the trail are prohibited. Dogs are also not allowed.

Accessibility limits: Strollers can reach the cabins, but not the skywalk

One advantage is that Bus 16 operates as a low-floor bus, allowing wheelchair users to reach the lower station. However, under the official usage rules, wheelchairs and strollers are not permitted on the walking trail or skywalk for safety reasons. The cable car ride itself and access to the upper facilities should not be considered equally accessible.

Separate boarding regulations should be checked for pets, and pets cannot enter the walking trail or skywalk. Children cannot ride alone, and children from 36 months old through elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. People with a fear of heights or health concerns such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or low blood pressure should consider the mode of transportation and whether to use the glass-floor observatory before boarding.

Restaurants and cafés below, tea and ice cream above: Planning a two-hour round trip

The lower station beside Uiamho Lake has restaurants, a convenience store, a café, a souvenir shop, and a souvenir photo studio. The upper station has a space selling tea and ice cream. Because meals before boarding and breaks afterward can be arranged within the same building complex, it is better not to schedule reservations at outside restaurants too tightly.

Including the round-trip cable car ride, approximately 25 minutes for the 822 m upper walking trail round trip, ticketing, waiting, and rest time, a realistic schedule allows at least 1.5 to 2 hours. Ticket sales end one hour before closing, and the upper walking trail also closes earlier than the cable car in some seasons, so visitors intending to see the observatory should avoid arriving just before closing.

Twenty Crystal Cabins offering views of Uiamho Lake, the slopes of Samaksan Mountain, and downtown Chuncheon

The difference between regular cabins and Crystal Cabins is the floor. Of the 66 total cabins, 20 are Crystal Cabins, allowing views downward through transparent floors. However, regular cabins may be more comfortable for people with a fear of heights or for those accompanying children who feel uneasy.

The official website provides English, Chinese, and Japanese menus in addition to Korean. Foreign travelers can reduce communication difficulties by reviewing fares, operating status, pet regulations, and online reservation conditions in advance on this multilingual webpage rather than relying on explanations at the site.