2 days on the east coast: Gangneung and Sokcho
The east coast is where Seoul goes for the sea: long pale beaches, clear water, seafood markets and, behind Sokcho, the granite peaks of Seoraksan. Since the KTX reached Gangneung for the 2018 Olympics it is under two hours away. Two days lets you do the town and the mountain without rushing.
- KTX from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni to Gangneung, about 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Gangneung to Sokcho is about an hour by intercity bus up the coast.
- Back to Seoul from Sokcho by express bus, about 2 hours 30 minutes. There is no train yet.
Gangneung: the lake, the coffee coast and tofu
Morning train, the old house of a famous mother and son, the beach, and coffee by the sea.
10:30Ojukheon
The birthplace of the scholar Yi I and his mother Shin Saimdang, who appear on the ₩5,000 and ₩50,000 notes. A small, elegant compound with black bamboo and a museum.
12:30taxi 10 minLunch in Chodang
Chodang village is famous for sundubu, soft tofu made with seawater. The spicy jjamppong-style version here draws long queues; the plain white tofu is the traditional one.
- 14:0015 min walk
Gyeongpo Lake and Beach
A lake lined with cherry trees and a pavilion, then one of the longest beaches on the coast. Rent a bicycle and ride round the lake.
16:30taxi 15 minAnmok coffee street
A strip of cafés facing the sea that made Gangneung Korea’s coffee town, with a coffee festival every autumn. Stay for the sunset over the water.
Sokcho and Seoraksan
Early bus up the coast, the cable car before the queues, and the fish market for lunch.
Avoid: arriving at the cable car after 10:00 on autumn weekends
08:30bus 1 hr + local busSeoraksan cable car
The cable car from Sogongwon climbs to the ruined Gwongeumseong fortress for a view over the peaks and down to the sea. Tickets are timed and sell out on busy days; go first thing. Sinheungsa temple and its giant bronze Buddha are at the foot of the path.
12:30bus 30 minSokcho fish market
The old central market, known for dakgangjeong (sweet crispy fried chicken to take away) and fresh seafood you pick downstairs and have cooked upstairs.
- 15:00taxi 10 min
Sokcho Beach and the Sokcho Eye
A walk along the beach under the Sokcho Eye Ferris wheel, then the express bus back to Seoul from the terminal, about two and a half hours.
If you have more time
- Jumunjin, north of Gangneung, has the fish port and the breakwater from a famous drama scene.
- Jeongdongjin, south of Gangneung, is the sunrise spot, with a station right on the beach.
- Yangyang, between the two, is Korea’s surf coast.
- In winter, pair the coast with a ski day at Yongpyong or Alpensia. See skiing in Korea.
Autumn foliageDay trips from SeoulGoseong and the DMZEverything in Gangwon
