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City in Gangwon, South Korea
Photo: Oxidising, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sokcho (속초) is a city in Gangwon, South Korea. It's quite a sleepy city and is known as a gateway to Seoraksan National Park, which is a 30-minute bus ride from the central hub. Also, the DMZ is an hour north by bus, from the central hub. The city has many beaches and areas to view the East Sea, or Sea of Japan.
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아바이 마을
A small village of North Korean expats. Located just off the main street, a hand drawn (called Gaetbae and only ₩200) ferry will take you across the river to this charming village. You can even pull the boat across as a kind of "exercise." There isn't much to see in the village itself, but it served as scenery for the TV drama "Autumn in My Heart" and serves excellent Abai Sundae, a local speciality and probably the best sundae (not the eponymous dessert) in Korea. Instead of pork casings and blood, this variety uses squid for both the casing and filling. Rice, squid, seasonings and vegetables are cooked and then stuffed inside the cavity of the squid, which is then cooked whole. Then the squid 'sausage' is sliced. It's different in size and has a unique flavor from other sundae in Korea.
동해, East Sea
See the Sea of Japan. The beaches are not the most beautiful in the world but at night you might get to see a lot of Korean groups burning fireworks at the beach. There are numerous pagodas and observation areas for sunsets with fishing ships in the foreground. Also, the Lighthouse Observatory offers a better-than-average view of the sea.
속초 엑스포 타워
You can get to the 15th floor and have an amazing view of the city.
설악산
Gangwon Province's famous mountain is in the Taebaek Mountains. It spans Sokcho-si, Yangyang-gun, Goseong-gun, and Inje-gun. It is 1,708 m high, the third highest mountain in South Korea after Hallasan Mountain and Jirisan Mountain. Rock rock and Ulsan rock are famous. If you look at the East Sea from Ulsan Rock, you can see the view of Sokcho City and the East Sea.
속초 해변
The length of the white sand beach is 2 km long, including Cheongho-dong, Joyang-dong, and Daepo-dong, and the opening is 1 km and 75 m wide, reaching 29,752 m (about 9,000 pyeong), and the quality of the sand is good as well as clean water and pine forests, making parks, flower roads, and trails popular among Sokcho citizens. In addition, along with Seoraksan Mountain, Cheoksan Hot Spring, Cheongcho Lake, and Yeongrang Lake, which are major tourist resources in the vicinity, it plays a large role in emerging Sokcho as a comprehensive tourist destination, and its importance and necessity are even more prominent. Instagram-worthy decorations dot the beach, and there's a Ferris wheel too.
Only officially open from approximately July 10 - August 20. However, you can still get on to the beach even when it is closed and it is still worth a visit then.
Take a bike ride around Yeongnangho Lake The lake funnels into the East Sea and takes about an hour on bike to get fully around the lake. Some stops along the way include Bombawi, a rock shaped like a crouched tiger which offers views of downtown, pagodas and temples.
설악 워터피아
Korea's largest hot springs theme park with huge hot springs facilities such as modern facilities using natural spring water that comes out of the ground at 49 °C, outdoor leisure spa facilities, pulp wood baths and warm water baths at 8 °C. Visitors can enjoy various types of spas against the background of the ulsan stones that stand out like folding screens - the landmark of Gangwon-do.
속초 갯배 선착장
It is the only cable ferry in the country that can only be found in Sokcho. Now, Cheongho Bridge and Seorak Bridge have been opened, so it is easy to cross the sea, but Sokcho-si designated the seashore as a tourist product and maintained it for tourists' experience.
왕십리구이한마당
For ₩13,000 (₩12,000 if you buy a drink) you can eat an unlimited amount of meat, octopus, fish, and mandu. All of the standard types of pork are available, and they even have chicken marinated in some yellow stuff. Many foreigners staying at the House Hostel go there because the proprietor duly recommends it to everyone. There are also stray cats that lurk around which are fun to feed the fish to as long as you don't get caught doing it. Because many places do not serve alcohol and ice cream together, it is important to make an elusive makeoli-ice cream float if you patronize this fine establishment.
만석닭강정
As the name gives away, this chain restaurant is popular for its chicken dishes.
속초 항아리 물회
Sashimi dish where you scoop the flesh of flatfish, sea bream, fish, and shellfish, cut them finely, season them, mix them with soy sauce, and pour cold water.
속초 거북이
It is a bar around Sokcho Beach where various snacks are prepared.
카페 긷
Modern hill-view café overlooking Ulsanbawi Mountain; peaceful and scenic.
카페 바다담다
Multi-floor ocean-view café near Yeongnang Lake; famous for desserts and rooftop views.
카페 배타고
Ocean-view café above Sokcho Central Market; picnic-set rental and sea breeze terrace.
카페 흰다정
Minimalist white-tone café offering handcrafted drinks and calm seating.
시드누아 속초점
Plant-filled space with high ceilings and panoramic windows; pet-friendly.
카페 어느멋진날
Trendy dessert café by the coast; popular for “corn latte” and wide sea view.
카페 셜터
Rooftop café right on the seafront; excellent sunrise view and coffee blends.
카페 어나더블루
Roastery-style café on Jangsa Beach with sea breeze and signature bakery.
초당커피정미소 속초점
Rustic café themed after an old coffee mill; famous for espresso tonic.
카페 하이드
Sea-view café near Daepo Harbor; glass façade with modern seating and brunch menu.
더 하우스
Facilities include free internet access, free laundry, free bike rentals, guest kitchen and common room. Also, comes with an excellent staff fluent in English. Booking in advance is recommended since the place is popular with tourists.
제임스 블루
There is camping right by the beach in a designated area for only ₩6,000 per night. Look for the "Dome Pensions" the camping area is next to it.
Deluxe, 121 rooms
140 rooms
247 rooms
141 rooms
129 rooms
153 rooms
119 rooms
261 rooms
속초 관광 수산시장
A big seafood market worth visiting. It contains different sections catering to fresh seafood, fresh vegetables, household goods and finally cooked foods. There are many stalls selling battered / tempura style seafood such as crab legs, squid and prawns. There are also takeaway steamed crab stalls which offer a more affordable way of trying the local crab than many of the crab restaurants in the city. Do try out the crab fried rice, makgeolli bread, and squid sundae. The market can become very busy in the evenings but is an excellent place to try local food.
By train
As of 2023, no trains serve Sokcho.
By ferry
Sokcho also serves as the terminal for ferries from Zarubino near Vladivostok on the Russian east coast.
By car
National Road No. 7 is the only national road, and it crosses from Yangyang-gun, passes through Sokcho-si from north to south, and then passes to Goseong-gun.
By car
Sokcho is a great place to travel by car. Because the area is not large, it is good to go from place to place. Sokcho is also close to Gangneung, so it is very convenient to move by car.
By bicycle
There is a place where bicycles are rented. You can rent a bicycle there and enjoy the riding course in Sokcho.
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