Jarasum Island

The Island Created by Cheongpyeong Dam: From 'Chinese Island' to 'Jara Island'

Jara Island was not originally an island but a riverside tract along the Bukhangang River. When Cheongpyeong Dam, Korea's first dam dedicated exclusively to power generation, was completed in 1943, the surrounding area was submerged, leaving the remaining land as an island. After liberation, it was known for some time as 'Chinese Island' because Chinese people grew watermelons and Korean melons there. Local historical materials from Gapyeong also preserve older names such as 'Hwaseongtteul' (花城坪) and 'Anbanjiseom'.

Gapyeong County, which resented continuing to call its land Chinese Island, held a place-name committee meeting in 1986 to discuss a new name. Near downtown Gapyeong was a village called 'Jaramok', where two large and small peaks were joined like the head and body of a softshell turtle. The island was named 'Jara Island', meaning the island overlooked by Jaramok. It is now considered one of the Nine Scenic Views of Gapyeong and was included in the 2025–2026 list of Korea's 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots.

East, West, Central, and South Islands: Four Islands with Different Uses

Jara Island is not one island but a name encompassing four islands: East Island, West Island, Central Island, and South Island. The smallest, East Island, is currently closed to the public, while the other three are connected by bridges and can be reached on foot or by car.

West Island, the largest, contains the campground, the indoor botanical garden Ewhawon, a red-clay walking path, a suspension bridge, and a multipurpose sports field. Central Island, the next largest, has a circular grass plaza more than 100 meters in diameter that is used as the main stage for the Jara Island International Jazz Festival. At the southern tip, South Island features seasonal flower gardens and a scenic café called 'Namdo Naru'.

Jazz Began at Jara Island in 2004 and Reaches Its 23rd Edition in 2026

In September 2004, when the concept of a music festival itself was unfamiliar, the first Jara Island International Jazz Festival was held as a small event on Jara Island, abandoned land that flooded whenever it rained. As the festival grew, artists from 60 countries—1,444 acts in total—appeared on its stages through its 21st edition in 2024, and cumulative attendance exceeded 2.97 million. In the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's evaluation of cultural tourism festivals, it became the first music festival to receive the top excellence designation in 2014–2015, and was selected as a representative festival of the Republic of Korea in 2016 and 2018.

In 2026, the 23rd edition will be held from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 11. France has been selected as the focus country to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, with a special focus on the French jazz scene. Only two stages—the Jazz Island and Party Stage—require paid admission; several other stages are free to enter. The festival also exchanges artists annually under MOUs with overseas festivals, including France's Jazz à la Foumière and Malaysia's Penang Island Jazz Festival.

Jara Island Campground on West Island — Facilities Left by the 2008 Gapyeong World Camping & Caravanning Championship

Jara Island Campground was developed as the venue for the 2008 FICC Gapyeong World Camping & Caravanning Championship. It operates 191 regular sites for car camping, 40 caravans, and 100 private caravan sites. Facility renovations in 2024 brought general improvements to electricity, shower facilities, and the convenience store, and an outdoor swimming pool is also operated in August, during summer.

For car camping, check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is between 11:00 and 12:00 the following day. For caravans, check-in is at 14:00 on weekdays and 15:00 on weekends, public holidays, and during peak season, with check-out at 11:00 the following day. The car-camping entrance fee is 10,000 won. For a four-person caravan, rates are 60,000 won on weekdays, 90,000 won on weekends and public holidays, and 120,000 won during peak season. Reservations can be made through the Jara Island Campground website (jaraisland.or.kr) or the Thank Q Camping app. For inquiries, contact the Jara Island Campground customer center at 031-8078-8028~9.

According to camping-information websites, competition for reservations is fierce during the July–August peak season, and many reviews say visitors must log in at the reservation-opening time to secure their preferred site. Even beginners without equipment can use the campground without a tent by choosing a caravan area.

South Island Flower Garden, Gyeonggi Province's Second Local Garden

South Island, the southernmost part of Jara Island, is a flower garden covering 114,040㎡ (approximately 34,000 pyeong). On October 15, 2025, it was officially registered as Gyeonggi Province's second local garden, following Semiwon in Yangpyeong. In autumn, Japanese asters, pink muhly, and zinnias reach their peak, and along the walking paths visitors may catch glimpses of boats heading across the Bukhangang River toward Nami Island.

During the spring and autumn Flower Festa periods, the garden charges an admission fee of 7,000 won, with 5,000 won refunded in local currency. Gapyeong residents and children aged five or younger are exempt. After the festival ends, both admission and parking become free. During the festival, the temporary parking lot operates only on weekends and public holidays and charges 3,000 won for small cars. From the campground entrance to the South Island flower garden, visitors must cross a pontoon bridge and walk along the trail for approximately 15–20 minutes.

From Gapyeong Station to Jara Island: The Actual Route

The most convenient access point is Gapyeong Station on the Gyeongchun Line. Jara Island is about a 20-minute walk from Gapyeong Station or approximately four minutes by taxi or car, which is why 'Jara Island' is included as the station's secondary name. From Seoul, Gyeongchun Line trains run from Sangbong Station to Gapyeong Station 42–49 times a day and take about 40 minutes. ITX-Cheongchun trains run from Yongsan Station 18–30 times a day and take about one hour.

By bus, intercity buses from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Gapyeong run approximately 28 times a day and take about one hour and 20 minutes. From Gapyeong Intercity Bus Terminal, visitors can walk for 15 minutes or take Gapyeong Bus 60-10. However, because Route 60-10 has long intervals between services, many guides recommend walking for the short distance. Visitors arriving by car can normally use the public parking lot at the entrance to Jara Island free of charge.

A Different Administrative District from Nearby Nami Island

About 800 meters away in a straight line south of Jara Island lies Nami Island. Although Nami Island appears to be attached to the southern end of Jara Island, administratively it belongs not to Gyeonggi Province but to Chuncheon City in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Nevertheless, the only ferry terminal for Nami Island is on the Gapyeong side, so many visitors practically combine the two islands into one travel route.

Jara Island and Nami Island are effectively treated as one living area, to the extent that both names appear in the secondary name of Gapyeong Station. This is why a half-day itinerary of camping or enjoying a flower festival on Jara Island followed by a ferry ride from the terminal to Nami Island is common.

Jara Island May Not Be the Right Choice for These Travelers

It may be somewhat inconvenient for people who want to explore leisurely using only public transportation. During events such as the Flower Festa or Jazz Festival, even Jara Island's visitor information advises that traveling by private car is more convenient than using public transportation. During the Jazz Festival, official shuttle buses operate only by advance reservation, and the organizers accept no responsibility for vehicles parked outside the designated locations and dates.

During the summer peak season, competition for caravan and car-camping reservations is fierce, making it difficult to secure a preferred spot if the reservation-opening time is missed. It is also worth knowing in advance that the smallest of the four islands, East Island, is entirely closed to the public, so visitors cannot explore all of Jara Island.