Gangwon, east coast · South Korea
An east-coast city of pine-fringed beaches, a coffee street, a Joseon-era scholar's house and one of Korea's oldest folk festivals.
Photo: Mobius6 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Gangneung is the largest city on Korea's east coast, with about 210,000 people, and it sits between the Taebaek mountains and the East Sea. It was one of the host cities of the 2018 Winter Olympics, and a KTX line opened for the games has cut the journey from Seoul to under two hours, making the coast a very easy weekend trip.
The city has beaches, culture and a long history. Gyeongpo Beach is a broad strand backed by pine forests and a lake, Ojukheon is the birthplace of Yi I, the great Confucian scholar Yulgok, and the mother-and-son culture of the Shin Saimdang family, and Seongyojang is a large 18th-century mansion. Each year the Gangneung Danoje festival, listed by UNESCO, celebrates shamanic ritual, mask dance and traditional games.
Gangneung is also Korea's coffee capital. Anmok Beach has a street of cafés facing the waves, and the city holds a coffee festival each autumn. Add fresh seafood, the soft tofu of Chodang village, and the Jeongdongjin sunrise, and it makes a relaxing two days, and a natural pairing with nearby Seoraksan.
Why visit
Gangneung is a relaxed coastal alternative to the big cities, easy to reach from Seoul.
Gyeongpo and Anmok face the East Sea.
A street of seaside cafés.
Ojukheon and Seongyojang.
The Danoje festival each spring.
Under two hours from Seoul.
Main attractions
Sights are spread between the city and the coast, and buses link them.
The city's main beach, a broad strand with a pine grove, a lake with a pavilion and a boardwalk.
Tip Go at sunrise.
A 16th-century house and museum, the birthplace of the scholar Yulgok and his mother, the artist Shin Saimdang, surrounded by black bamboo.
Tip Allow an hour.
A stretch of cafés along Anmok Beach, some roasting their own beans.
Tip Come in the afternoon.
A large 18th-century mansion of a noble family, with a traditional garden.
Tip Quiet in the morning.
A seaside village famous for sunrise, with a railway station just off the beach.
Tip Take the sea-view train.
A village known for soft tofu made with seawater.
Tip Go at lunch.
Things to do
Gangneung is about the coast and coffee.
See the sun rise over the sea.
Tip Jeongdongjin is best.
Hand-drip and cold brew.
Tip Try several cafés.
At Gyeongpo.
Tip Ride a bicycle.
A scenic coastal railway.
Tip Book seats.
Olympic resorts in the mountains.
Tip Book ahead.
The spring folk festival.
Tip It falls around May or June.
Local food
Gangneung is known for tofu, seafood and coffee.
Silky tofu made with seawater.
Where to try it Chodang village.
Fresh catches at Jumunjin.
Where to try it Jumunjin market.
Local roasters.
Where to try it Anmok Beach.
Grilled or stuffed.
Where to try it Markets.
Street snacks and pancakes.
Where to try it Jungang Market.
Accommodation
Stay near the beach or the station.
Transport
Gangneung is on the KTX line.
Buses link the sights.
When to go
Gangneung is cooler in summer than inland, and snowy in winter.
Cherry blossom and mild weather.
Beach season, but busy.
Clear skies and the coffee festival.
Snowy and cold.
Worth planning around: Peak beach weekends in August.
Itinerary
Culture and coast.
Scholars and tofu.
Beach and coffee.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
About two hours by KTX.
Yes.
Beaches, coffee and Ojukheon.
In summer, when beaches open.
Yes, they are about an hour apart.
Around the fifth lunar month, usually May or June.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Gangneung, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Gangwon, north-east coast, South Korea
South Korea's most beautiful mountain park, with the Ulsanbawi rock, Biryong Falls, the cable car to Gwongeumseong and hiking to Daecheongbong, plus the port town of Sokcho and its seafood market.
Don't miss A cable car to Gwongeumseong fortress, with the granite spires of Seoraksan spread out below in October.
Explore Destination — Seoraksan and SokchoSeoul Capital Area, north-west South Korea, South Korea
South Korea's capital, with Joseon palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, temples, markets, K-culture districts, night views from N Seoul Tower and some of the best food in Asia.
Don't miss Gyeongbokgung Palace at opening time, with the mountains behind and a hanbok-dressed crowd walking through its gates.
Explore Destination — SeoulNorth Gyeongsang, inland east, South Korea
A UNESCO-listed clan village on the Nakdong River with thatched and tiled houses, Byeongsan Confucian Academy, the mask dance, Andong soju and jjimdak chicken.
Don't miss Watching the Hahoe mask dance beside old thatched houses, with the river curving around the village.
Explore Destination — Andong and Hahoe Folk VillageRead next
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