Gangwon Province offers East Sea beaches, the wild nature of Seoraksan, skiing, surfing and roastery cafés, all about 2 hours from Seoul by KTX. From Gangneung and Sokcho to Yangyang, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon and Chuncheon, each area has its own character, and there is something different to see in every season, which makes Gangwon one of Korea's best destinations for a day trip or an overnight stay.
In summer, travelers come for Gyeongpo, Naksan and Hajodae beaches and for surfing at Surfyy Beach in Yangyang; in autumn for the foliage on Seoraksan; in winter for skiing at Alpensia and High1 in Pyeongchang; and in spring for the cherry blossoms around Gyeongpoho Lake. With the Anmok Beach café street in Gangneung, Abai Village in Sokcho and the sunrise at Jeongdongjin, Gangwon has become a destination for food, cafés and atmosphere, not just nature.
Since the KTX Gangneung Line opened (2017), Seoul to Gangneung takes 2 hours 10 minutes, and Sokcho is 2 hours 30 minutes by express bus, making the region much easier to reach.
Gangwon at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Seoul → Gangneung | KTX 2 hours 10 minutes (₩28,000 one way) / bus 3 hours |
| Seoul → Sokcho | Express bus 2 hours 30 minutes / 2 hours by car on the Seoul–Yangyang Expressway |
| Suggested trips | Day trip (Gangneung, Sokcho) / 2 days 1 night (Sokcho + Seoraksan) / 3 days 2 nights (skiing, Pyeongchang) |
| Best seasons | Summer beaches (July–August) / autumn foliage (October) / skiing (December–February) / cherry blossoms (April) |
| Main cities | Gangneung · Sokcho · Yangyang · Chuncheon · Pyeongchang · Jeongseon |
Gangneung: KTX, cafés and the sea
The Anmok Beach café street is the symbol of a trip to Gangneung. Cafés with sea views line the beach, and roastery cafés such as Terarosa, Bohemian and Raphael draw coffee lovers.
Gyeongpo Beach is Gangneung's largest beach. In spring, the 6 km of cherry blossoms around Gyeongpoho Lake are at their peak. Jeongdongjin is a famous spot for watching the sun rise over the East Sea, especially at the turn of the year. Jeongdongjin Station (the train station closest to a beach) is also known as a filming location of the drama Sandglass.
Ojukheon (the birthplace of Yulgok Yi I and Shin Saimdang, shown on the ₩5,000 note) and Seongyojang (a Joseon-era aristocrat's house) are highlights for culture.
Sokcho and Yangyang: Seoraksan and surfing
Seoraksan National Park is one of Korea's three great mountains, most spectacular in spring (royal azaleas) and autumn (foliage). The Gwongeumseong cable car (₩12,000 round trip) takes you up in 10 minutes for views of the main peaks. Foliage on Seoraksan peaks in the first and second weeks of October.
At Sokcho Jungang Market, dakgangjeong (sweet-and-spicy fried chicken), abai sundae (stuffed squid sausage) and mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) are the big three of Sokcho food. Riding the gaetbae (a hand-pulled ferry) at Abai Village, a settlement of families displaced from the North, is another unique experience.
Surfyy Beach in Yangyang is Korea's largest surfing beach. From June to September there are surf lessons (₩50,000–80,000 per person), and with surf houses and pool parties it has become a destination for young travelers.
Pyeongchang and Jeongseon: skiing and rail bikes
Alpensia and Phoenix Park in Pyeongchang hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics. There are ski runs from beginner to advanced, snowboarding, sledding and a year-round zipline. Alpensia Resort and Holiday Inn Pyeongchang are convenient places to stay.
The Jeongseon Rail Bike is a 7.2 km ride on a disused mining railway with views of the Donggang River and its gorges (₩25,000 for two). At the Jeongseon five-day market (held on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd and 27th of each month) you can try gondeure-bap (thistle rice), hwanggi jokbal (pig's trotters with milk vetch) and corn makgeolli.
Gangwon food: East Sea seafood and local specialties
| Food | Where to try it | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Sokcho dakgangjeong | Manseok Dakgangjeong and Daebak Dakgangjeong in Sokcho Jungang Market | ₩12,000–15,000 per serving |
| Mulhoe (rockfish, flatfish) | Dongmyeong Port in Sokcho, Jumunjin in Gangneung | ₩18,000–25,000 per person |
| Gangneung Chodang tofu | Chodang Tofu Village (soft tofu stew, tofu with kimchi) | ₩10,000–15,000 per person |
| Chuncheon dakgalbi and makguksu | Myeongdong Dakgalbi Alley in Chuncheon | ₩15,000–20,000 per person |
| Jeongseon gondeure-bap | Restaurants in central Jeongseon | ₩10,000–15,000 per person |
Gangwon travel budget
| Trip type | Total cost per person |
|---|---|
| Day trip to Gangneung by KTX | About ₩80,000–150,000 (KTX + meals + cafés) |
| Sokcho, 2 days 1 night | About ₩200,000–400,000 (bus + accommodation + meals + cable car) |
| Pyeongchang ski trip, 3 days 2 nights, family of 4 | ₩800,000–2,000,000 in total (resort + lift passes + meals) |
Gangwon FAQ
Is the KTX or the bus better?
The KTX Gangneung Line is fast (2 hours 10 minutes) but more expensive (₩28,000 one way); buses are cheaper (₩17,000–22,000) but slower (3–3.5 hours). Sokcho and Yangyang have no KTX line, so the bus is the only option. Take the KTX if time matters, the bus if value matters.
When do the autumn leaves peak on Seoraksan?
Foliage on Seoraksan peaks in the first and second weeks of October. Accommodation in Sokcho and Yangyang is booked up weeks in advance at this time. Waits of 2–3 hours for the Gwongeumseong cable car are common in peak season, so go early in the morning.
How do I book a surf lesson in Yangyang?
You can book on the official Surfyy Beach website or on site. Lessons cost ₩50,000–80,000 per person (equipment included, about 2 hours). Booking ahead is essential on weekends from June to August.
Is a rental car a good idea in Gangwon?
Buses and taxis are enough for Gangneung and Sokcho, but if you combine Sokcho, Yangyang and Gangneung, a rental car (₩60,000–120,000 per day) is convenient. In the winter ski season, a four-wheel-drive car or one fitted with snow chains is recommended.
What time is sunrise at Jeongdongjin?
It depends on the season: in summer (July–August) the sun rises around 5:10–5:30 a.m., and in winter (December–January) around 7:30–8:00 a.m. For December 31 to January 1, the Jeongdongjin sunrise train (an overnight train from Seoul to Jeongdongjin) must be booked months ahead.
Sources
- Gangwon Tourism Foundation official site · Gangwon Tourism Foundation · accessed 2026-05-04
- Korea Tourism Organization: Gangwon · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-05-04
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.