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City in Gangwon, South Korea
Photo: Loewelad, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Donghae (동해) is a coastal city in Gangwon, South Korea.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
천곡황금박쥐동굴
A limestone cave in the middle of downtown, found in 1991 during construction work. About 700 m of its 1.4 km length is open to visitors, with stalactites, curtain-shaped formations and a flowstone "waterfall", and it stays at 14–15°C all year. In 2005 an endangered golden bat (red bat) was found living inside. Last entry is at 17:30, and the cave is not suitable for wheelchairs. On the hill above, a nature park has a boardwalk around sinkholes formed by the same limestone.
추암 촛대바위
A slender pillar of rock rising from the sea among smaller rock formations, at the southern edge of the city. The sunrise behind it appears at the start of the national anthem on Korean television, and it is a popular place to watch the sun come up. In the Joseon era the official Han Myeong-hoe was so taken with this stretch of coast that he named it Neungpadae. A 72-m suspension bridge over the sea, opened in 2019, gives another view of the rocks; it closes in bad weather. The path to the rock itself is not suitable for wheelchairs.
대진해변
A small beach beside Daejin fishing port. The water is shallow and the waves are moderate, which makes it popular for surfing. There is free parking for about 50 cars.
도째비골 해랑전망대
A footbridge that runs out over the sea, with sections of glass and steel-mesh floor so you can watch the waves break beneath your feet. It stays closed in bad weather.
어달항
A small fishing harbor, developed from 1984 and home to about 70 boats. You can walk out along the breakwaters to the lighthouses at either end, past tetrapods painted in bright colors. Anglers fish for flounder from the breakwater or on small charter boats, and seafood restaurants line the road behind the port.
까막바위
A black rock just offshore, named for the crows (kkamagwi) said to have nested on it; it is also said to lie due east of Namdaemun gate in Seoul. According to local legend, a village headman of the Joseon era was reborn as an octopus to drive off Japanese pirates and still lives in a cave beneath the rock. An octopus statue on the shore marks the story.
묵호 별빛마을전망대
A viewing platform above Mukho Port, built between 2016 and 2021 as part of a project to renew the hillside neighborhood. The houses on the way up have brightly painted roofs and walls, and the platform looks straight down over the harbor.
묵호등대
First lit in 1963, the lighthouse stands on a hill 67 m above the sea and looks down on Mukho Port. The present 24-m tower, rebuilt in 2007, has an observation deck just below the lantern, and its light can be seen up to 48 km out at sea. The plaza in front has a small exhibition on lighthouses and a monument to the 1968 film Miwodo Dasi Hanbeon, which was shot here.
논골담길
Four steep lanes (Deungdaeoreum-gil and Nongol 1-, 2- and 3-gil) climb from the harbor to Mukho Lighthouse through a fishing village where people still live. The walls are covered in murals and short poems about life in the port in its busier days. There is no parking in the lanes, and they are not suitable for wheelchairs.
연필뮤지엄
Billed as Korea's first pencil museum. Exhibits show how graphite becomes a pencil, and the collection of more than 3,000 pencils, gathered by the curator in over 100 cities around the world, includes some you can pick up and try.
무릉계곡
This is a fantastic valley with several hikes of varying difficulties. You can hike to waterfalls, temples or up mountains. Admission to the valley is ₩1,500 for adults. The valley can be reached by taking any of the city buses numbered 12-something (e.g. 12-4.) The bus fare is ₩1,000.
망상 해수욕장
Popular beach area 8 km north of the town. Very crowded in the summer, with a very small amusement park area with a batting cage and a few rides.
추암 해수욕장
A less popular but more picturesque beach a few km south of town.
동해무릉제
Donghae's main annual festival, organized by the city and the Donghae Culture and Tourism Foundation; 2026 was its 39th edition. The program changes each year, but the 2026 festival included a harvest ritual (pungnyeonje), folk games, children's activity zones, stalls run by local restaurants and evening concerts on a large outdoor stage. Some events take place at the nearby Donghae Culture and Arts Center.
한섬 해수욕장
There is a 2.2km sea path, so you can walk while looking at the sea. There is also a photo zone where you can take pictures in the Hanseom Light Tunnel.
무릉별 유천지
You can enjoy sightseeing by riding various experience facilities (Sky Glider, Alpine Coaster, etc.) and trains by Mureung.
도째비골 스카이밸리
A recreation area near Mukho Lighthouse with a skywalk, Sky Cycle and Giant Slide. The skywalk has a transparent glass floor overlooking the sea. The Sky Cycle is a bicycle ride along a cable above the valley and is open only to riders at least 140 cm tall. The Giant Slide descends about 27 m down a cylindrical slide.
어달해변
A small beach with a 300-m-long and 20–30-m-wide shoreline. It has fine sand, a gentle slope and shallow water averaging about 1 m deep.
해파랑길 34코스
A 14.5-km section of the Haeparang Trail that takes about 5 hours to walk and is rated easy. Starting near Mukho Station, the route passes Mukho Lighthouse Park, Daejin Port and Mangsang Beach before continuing into Okgye, Gangneung. The route combines coastal paths, fishing villages and a forested valley section. call 1588-7417
추암 촛대바위 출렁다리
A 72-m-long suspension bridge over the sea at Chuam Beach, opened in June 2019. It offers views of the surrounding coastline and Chotdaebawi Rock. It may be closed in rain, snow or strong winds. Free parking is available, and the bridge is wheelchair-accessible.
동해 제빵소
It is one of the famous bakeries in the area.
Spicy noodle soup and dumpling soup are typical dishes, and visitors can experience what the locals eat.
Breads like glutinous rice doughnuts and twisted bread stick are a favorite and relatively inexpensive.
카페 현상소
It has an antique look with a European vibe and outdoor tables to enjoy the natural scenery. And almost everywhere is a photo spot.
동남회집
A plain local seafood restaurant known for flounder mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) and boneless flounder hoe. It also serves pufferfish soup (bokjiri).
묵호김밥
A small takeout shop whose gimbap is packed with egg, popular for a cheap lunch or a snack before a train. Also sells fish-cake bars, tteokbokki and fried snacks.
거동탕수육
Korean-Chinese restaurant whose tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour fried pork) has cubes of octopus inside the pork loin, in original or spicy versions. Also serves octopus jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) and jajangmyeon. Waits of an hour or more are common (waiting list via the Catch Table app), last orders are 40 minutes before closing, and there is no parking.
103LAB 카페
A small cafe on the mural lanes with window seats looking over the harbor. The owners look after local street cats, so you may share the room with one.
바람의언덕 동해 타파스 와인
A wine and tapas bar with a terrace overlooking the sea from the "Hill of Wind" at the top of the mural village.
You can set up tents in the designated camping area at Mangsang Beach, which is 8km North of Donghae City. Camping is free.
이마트
The only big chain retailer in town. They offer everything from food to clothes and electronics (think wal-mart). Apart from them, there are a number of shops in the downtown area offering your usual services. English will be limited however and bargaining is not too common in the retail stores.
묵호항활어판매센터
Seafood market with around 70 stalls selling live and fresh fish and seafood, including squid, flounder, octopus and snow crab depending on the season. Fish bought here can be prepared as hoe (Korean-style raw fish) and eaten at nearby restaurants for an additional charge.
잔잔하게
A travel bookshop in Mukho, a 3-minute walk from Mukho Station. Parking is available nearby, and pets are welcome.
무코야 선물가게
A small souvenir shop near Mukho Lighthouse selling Mukho-themed gifts.
By train
KTX high-speed trains from Seoul (Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni) run via Gangneung to Mukho and Donghae stations.
By ferry
Ferries to Ulleungdo leave from Mukho Port, about 1 km from Mukho Station.
By car
Highway 65 ends in Donghae and connects the city to Gangneung further north. From Seoul take highway 50 to Gangneung which then leads to the 65.
By plane
Donghae has limited options for flying. The best option is Seoul's Incheon International Airport, with the fastest bus connection being about 4 hours.
By taxi
Compared to the bus, it's more comfortable and less time-consuming. The base fee is 3,800 \, with a 20% night surcharge from 00:00 to 04:00.
By foot
Donghae's sights are spread across several areas a few kilometers apart, so you will need a bus or taxi to get between Mukho, downtown and Chuam.
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Gonghang-ro · International · YNY
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