County in South Korea
Photo: Yunjinlee, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Yangyang (양양) is in Gangwon. It is the name of a small town and of a bigger county of which it is the capital. It used to be an unpopular tourist destination compared to Sokcho and Gangneung, but it became famous for surfing and now attracts about 15.22 million tourists a year. Yangyang is an area famous for its beautiful beaches and natural scenery. It is where the southern and eastern coasts meet, and the clear and clean sea stands out. In Yangyang, you can enjoy various beach activities such as bathing and surfing. Also, Naksansa Temple, a famous tourist attraction, is located in Yangyang and gives tourists a good experience.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
낙산사
Possibly the main draw of Yangyang besides the ocean. Beautiful temple area with both mountain and ocean views.
낙산해수욕장
Yangyang's main beach with swimming opportunities and parasol rental. Located 16 kilometers south of Sokcho (束草), it is considered one of the most popular beaches in the East Coast region along with Gyeongpodae Beach. It has a 4-km white sand beach against a dense pine forest, and Namdaecheon Stream flowing from 雪嶽 Mountain forms a large lake in the estuary, which is also rich in fresh water. As the water depth is around 1.5m to 70m off the coast, it is safe and has been booming since it opened as a beach in 1963.
하조대해수욕장
A 1.5-km-long beach with fine, white sand. It is a famous spot for snorkeling in Yangyang. It is 1.5km long, 100m wide, 7,562.5㎡ wide, and 0.5 to 1.5m deep, 12km south of Yangyang-gun and 1km north of the 38th parallel. Behind the beach, pine forests are dense, and in the pine forest, there is Hajodae, a hexagonal pavilion where Ha-ryun (河崙) and Jo-jo (趙浚), the founding contributors of the Joseon Dynasty, spent their last years.
양양국제공항
South Korea spent a great deal of money building airports all over the country. Yangyang airport is probably the best example of this, having an infamous reputation of being a fully functional international airport with hardly any flights at all.
물치해수욕장
This is a simple beach. As it is at the entrance of Mt. Seorak, it is well-known as a place where many tourists stop by for a brief tour of the sea. Mulchi-ri Village is well-known as a place where many Seoraksan tourists stop by to see the sea for a while as it is at the entrance of Seoraksan Mountain. The Pine Mushroom Lighthouse at Mulchi Port next to the beach is a lighthouse shaped like pine mushroom, a specialty of Gangwon-do, and has become a famous spot of Mulchi Port.
양양 남대천
In the upper reaches of Namdaecheon Stream in Yangyang, there are Beopsuchi Valley, Yongsogol Valley, Songcheon Valley, Naehyeon Valley, and Seorim Valley, and Songi Sculpture Park in the middle stream, and Salmon Ecological Park and Namdaecheon Ecological Observation Road in the lower stream.
설악산 대청봉
Daecheongbong Peak is the third highest peak in Korea, and is considered a famous mountain with some 700 large and small peaks centering on Daecheongbong Peak. When you climb to Daecheongbong Peak, you can see the entire national park and the East Sea at a glance.
오색령
Osaekryeong Pass was a 1,004m-high pass that transported salt and daily necessities from Yangyang to Inje. In 1971, the number of tourists visiting Seoraksan Mountain and the east coast increased as National Route 44 was paved, and in 1981, the road from Inje-gun to Yangyang-gun and Sokcho-si was expanded and paved, making Osaekryeong Pass a deliberate visit to see the superb view.
오색주전골
On the course from the Osaek Mineral Spring to the Yongso Falls, visitors can see large and small valleys located in the forest. The cool shade under the dense primeval forests is popular as a summer resort.
하조대
The Hajodae Dulle-gil is a few steps away from the Hajodae Observatory, which is good for men and women of all ages. Visitors can see the glass floor and the transparent window, and you can see the waves hitting the rock and the horizontal line in the distance.
죽도정
Jukdo was an island in the past, but now it is said to have been named Jukdo due to the dense pine porridge throughout the year. Jukdojeong Pavilion is a resting place completed in 1965 with the support of local administration and voluntarily raised by residents, and the tranquil space and sea scenery go well together.
남애항
Namaehang Port, one of the three most beautiful ports in Gangwon State, is also the filming location for the hit movie "Whale Hunting" in the 1980s. The Namae Port Skywalk is not higher than other observation decks, so it is easy to walk and is divided into 1st and 2nd floors, so you can see the sea.
휴휴암
A serene coastal Buddhist hermitage known for its scenic ocean views, a giant Guanyin statue, and a flat seaside rock (Yeonhwadae) where visitors can feed swarms of dace fish in clear waters.
낙산사 템플스테이
It is located at the foot of Obongsan Mountain, one of the three famous mountains in Gwandong along with Geumgangsan Mountain and Seoraksan Mountain. In particular, Naksansa Temple is located in a place where you can see the East Sea at a glance. Temple Stay is a traditional cultural experience program that experiences the daily life of a practitioner in a mountain temple where the 1,700-year history and culture of Korean Buddhism live. The programs are divided into experience type and rest type, and various programs are held every time. You can check the detailed program through the website.
쏠비치양양오션플레이
It is a water park that uses seawater directly raised from the clean sea on the east coast. Outside, you can enjoy open-air bath, outdoor pool, and event bath while looking at the East Sea. It's operated by the resort, so you can even solve the accommodation.
서피비치
Surfing is the main place. However, it is a hot place for young Koreans these days, such as food and famous photo zones in Korea. It's a unique thing to find in Korea because it's decorated in an exotic way.
보드파크
It is a place where you can skateboard. There are three skateboard lamps.
Pine Mushroom Festival
Song-i mushrooms are known as the golden mushrooms, diamonds of the forest and mysterious spiritual beings. The Song-i Mushroom Festival is an opportunity to observe the habitat of song-i mushrooms that are strictly monitored. Anyone can enjoy the mysteriousness of these delicious pine mushrooms, but reservations should be made in advance.
양양연어축제
This festival is held in the fresh waters of Namdaecheon, the biggest Korean river up which salmon swim. Apart from a good look at the natural ecosystem, there are various events such as catching salmon with bare hands, regular salmon fishing, and running with salmon.
송이버섯마을
It is a restaurant that has appeared in several Korean restaurant broadcasts, and is famous for shabu-shabu, bulgogi, and hot pot with pine mushrooms, a specialty of Yangyang.
송이닭강정
It is Yangyang's sweet and sour chicken restaurant, selling mild, spicy, and fried chicken. It is located in Yangyang Traditional Market.
낙산물곰탕
It is a restaurant near the entrance of Naksansa Temple and is recommended by locals. You can enjoy a moray and cod soup. You can taste various Korean fish dishes such as soup and grilled fish.
삼교리 동치미 막국수
It is a restaurant that sells makguksu that utilizes Dongchimi, a traditional Korean dish. Dongchimi is a type of water kimchi, which is made by putting various spices in salt water as the main ingredient of radish. With white kimchi, you shouldn't think of red kimchi. It also sells sashimi makguksu with sashimi.
일번지감자탕 양양본점
A restaurant known for its hearty portions of gamjatang served in large sharing-sized pots.
온담
A Korean restaurant known for its generous barley rice dishes and local specialties.
플리즈 웨잇
It is a cafe located on the main street of Yangridan-gil. It operates as a cafe during the day and a pub at night.
파인트리
You can drink coffee at Korean traditional hanok.
It is a large cafe with three floors, and the top is a rooftop. It is made of windows, so it is an ocean view no matter where you sit.
Ocean-view café & gelato house — beach-side coffee and desserts with relaxed vibe.
피이아이 커피
Ocean-view / gallery-style café with three floors and rooftop, offering signature drinks (e.g. macadamia-cream latte) and seaside + mountain views — good for relaxing seaside coffee and dessert.
카페 씨스타
Brunch & coffee café — relaxed atmosphere, good for brunch + coffee, near coastal / resort area.
카페 로그
Book-café & reading lounge in a quiet area — ideal for rest away from beach crowds, calm and cozy interior, good for relaxing or reading.
워터프런트 커피
Coastal café with ocean view — good for relaxed coffee or tea with seaside breeze, parking available, decent budget-range café near the sea.
코게러지
Surf- & vintage-style café near the coast — offers coffee, brunch/food, relaxed seaside-town vibe.
인아웃 커피
Café near Dongho Beach, known for its signature “corn coffee (옥수수커피)” — a local specialty. Great for beach-side coffee breaks or take-out before heading to the sea.
페이보릿
Gelato-specialty café near Ingu Beach / coast — offers house-made gelato (various flavors), coffee, desserts; popular as a dessert stop after beach or coastal drive.
컨센트릭 양양
those looking for a chill café vibe, coffee lovers, a quiet place to read/read/write, or couples/friends who want a relaxed café experience.
하조대 등대카페
ocean‑view (sea & cliff) café, calm / relaxed vibe, also known for nice traditional‑tea / warm drinks & a quiet getaway spot.
바다뷰제빵소
Enjoy a wide variety of freshly baked bread made in-house every day while looking out at the open East Sea. Take a relaxing break with coffee and pastries alongside panoramic ocean views across each floor. The cafe features multiple scenic photo spots set against the beautiful backdrop of the sea.
낙산비치호텔
Deluxe, 136 rooms. It is a four-star class, and you can see all the mountains, the sea, and the sunrise. It boasts a beautiful view overlooking Naksan Beach at a glance.
오색그린야드호텔
Holon immunity provides vitality and healing power for a person to live happily and healthily. This is the Holon spirit that the Five Color Green Yard Hotel pursues. The Holon Immunization UP program and accommodation experience in clean five-colored nature will help you meet yourself even healthier.
쏠비치 양양
It is a four-star ocean view hotel and is located close to Songjeon Beach. Naksansa Temple and Yangyang Traditional Market are located 10 minutes away and Hajodae Beach is 20 minutes away. There is also a water park inside the resort, so there are plenty of things to play.
솔게스트하우스
It is a guest house where six people share a room, and it is an ocean view of the entire guest room. It is a cultural complex guesthouse where you can enjoy surfing, barbecuing, and pub parties.
양양시장
If you want to feel Yangyang properly, you can visit traditional markets. Yangyang Traditional Market has the whole region and you can feel its unique vitality. If you visit Naksan Beach and Naksansa Temple, it is one of the courses you can stop by on your way. There are 64 stores and 100 stalls. It is a place where you can buy fresh local agricultural products at a low price, and you can enjoy your mouth with a variety of foods when you are hungry. It sells agricultural and fishery products, forest by-products, miscellaneous goods, sea cucumbers, various wild fruits, and herbs. It also sales a variety of specialties as Yangyang sand and pine mushroom. The 100-year-old traditional five-day Yangyang market held here is the largest in Yeongbuk area and is held on the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, and 29th, attracting a lot of people.
양양상점
It sells cute souvenirs such as badges and key rings.
스터프하우스
Stuff House is located in Yangridan-gil, Hot place, near Ingu Beach, and has many things to eat and play. It also sells a variety of surfing items including surfboards, clothing, and camping equipment for travelers.
By bus
A number of buses leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal daily, headed for Yangyang or Sokcho.
By car
1. Yangyang Expressway (2 hours and 10 minutes)
By train
There is no train station in Yangyang, so you have to get off at Gangneung Station and move.
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