Chuncheon caravan packing tips and a riverside sunset: Urban Slow City

In the middle of the same old days and time rushing by, haven't you ever thought, "Ah, I really just want to do nothing and rest properly for one day"? If there were a place where you could flip your mind's switch to 'OFF' and truly rest, you'd want to leave right now, wouldn't you?

Just one hour from Seoul, I visited Urban Slow City (어반슬로우시티), a charming campground hidden like a gem in Namyeon, Chuncheon. It's a space that gives a warm comfort to a tired heart.

What's the way to Urban Slow City like?

To get to Urban Slow City, leave Gangchon IC, head toward Gapyeong, and follow a single-lane road for about 15 minutes. Along the way you'll probably think, "Huh? Why is this road so winding?" It might make beginner drivers a little nervous, but at the very end, a wide, flat open space appears in front of you, ta-da, like magic. At the end of the winding road, it felt like a safe little world of its own.

Administratively it's Chuncheon, but it sits right next to Hongcheon, so it feels cozy, as if you're held in the embrace of deep nature.

The owner greeted us warmly the moment we arrived, and the tiredness from driving melted away. Friendly without being too much or too little, just pleasantly warm.

Size and facilities at Urban Slow City

Urban Slow City is huge: 4 caravans, 12 glamping units and 32 auto-camping sites. It has apparently appeared on TV shows (I Live Alone, Yukjahoedam), and seeing how well kept the campground is, you can tell at a glance how devoted the owner is to this place. It has the conditions to satisfy every type of camper.

Practical tips before staying in an Urban Slow City caravan

The caravan is much easier if you know about the fridge power, ice and towels beforehand. They say camping is all about gear, but here, info is what matters. These are practical household tips I learned firsthand, so be sure to jot them down before you go!

Switch the fridge ON first!

When you walk into the caravan, the fridge is off. Don't panic: open the right-hand door under the sink and switch on the outlet first! I'd also recommend turning on the air conditioner as soon as you arrive.

The secret of the cooler on the outdoor deck

It isn't plugged in. Instead, you buy ice at the store and fill it yourself, an analog approach. If you want cold drinks, buying ice is a must.

Towels and toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, body lotion) are essential

Towels aren't provided, so be sure to bring them. If the bathroom inside the caravan is too cramped, you can use the shared facilities in the center. There are 2 restrooms, one by the store and one by the shower room! The shower room is at the very top, with individual stalls, and the hot water was piping hot with strong pressure, so I was very satisfied. (There are hair dryers. Shampoo and body wash: yes)

The microwave is at the store

There's no microwave in the caravan; a shared one is at the store. Oh, and the Urban Slow City store runs unmanned 24 hours, so at night you can buy snacks or cups of ice with self-checkout, which is really handy.

Don't forget to check in at the store first and pick up your trash bags!

What's inside an Urban Slow City caravan?

Inside the caravan you'll find all kinds of tableware, knives, cutting boards, pretty much everything!

The bathroom is small but well equipped, too ^^

Where to grocery shop? Go to the supermarket ahead of time

Urban Slow City is in the middle of nature, so there's no big supermarket nearby. The nearest, Hanaro Mart, is an hour round trip, so be sure to buy fresh food like meat, lettuce wraps, fruit and ssamjang (dipping sauce) before you set out. The store (Urban Market) mostly carries basic snacks like ramen, instant rice, alcohol and coffee.

How do you do barbecue and a campfire?

Personal fire pits and fire equipment aren't allowed at Urban Slow City, so you request a BBQ grill set (₩20,000) or firewood (₩15,000) and enjoy your campfire gazing.

Is there anything to do with kids?

Urban Slow City has a well-kept trampoline, swings and playground, and you can set off fireworks at night, so there's plenty to do out in nature.

It's inside a safely managed fence, so both adults and kids ended up really happy.

Isn't it cold at night?

One catch: because of the river wind, nights are quite a bit colder than you'd expect! Long sleeves are an absolute must, but luckily the heated mattress pad in the caravan let me warm my body and sleep like a baby.

Resting completely, watching the sunset glitter on the water

The real reason Urban Slow City is so popular is that the open riverside right in front is great for water play and water sports.

This place really shows its worth at sunset in the afternoon. As the evening glow spreads, the river surface sparkles and shimmers, and just sitting quietly in the caravan watching it, I felt healing rise up from the bottom of my heart.

I read the book I'd brought, listened to the radio drifting through, and enjoyed rest in its purest form. On a clear day you can also see stars pouring across the night sky. This weekend, why not put your smartphone down and head to Chuncheon with your loved ones to see the twinkling stars and the glittering water? It'll be the kindest, warmest gift for a tired routine.