Day 1

8:00 AM - Namiseom Island

Originally not an island, Namiseom was formed by the creation of the Cheongpyeong Dam to the south. The name of the island comes from the army general Nami, who was buried here during the Joseon Dynasty.

Made famous by the filming of “Winter Sonata (2002),” the entire island has become one giant photo zone. The two must-see attractions when visiting Namiseom Island are definitely Metasequoia Lane and Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane. These two trails often make an appearance in movies, dramas, and advertisements. Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane is especially beautiful from the end of October to the beginning of November. The vibrant shades of yellow, gold and orange provide the perfect atmosphere of autumn. Other popular attractions on the island include fun glassware and pottery experiences.


Address: 1, Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Yongsan Station → Namiseom Island, approx. 1 hr): Take the ITX-Cheongchun Train from Yongsan Station → Get off at Gapyeong Station and take a taxi approx. 2.03km to Namiseom Island Dock → Board the ferry to Namiseom Island.
Operating hours (Ferry): 07:30-21:40
Fare: Adults 10,000 won / Teenagers & Foreigners 8,000 won / Children 4,000 won
※ Price listed is for round trip.
Website: namisum.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

11:30 AM - Lunch at Chuncheon Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street

While exploring Namiseom Island, you may have felt your stomach begin to call for food. Head to Chuncheon to fulfill your needs! Chuncheon’s Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street is a famous alley filled with restaurants that have been serving the deliciously spicy dak-galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) for over 50 years. Dak-galbi is a meal in and of itself, consisting of large chunks of chicken covered in a spicy seasoning and stir-fried with cabbage, sweet potato, tteok (rice cake) and more. Don’t forget the fried rice afterwards, if you aren’t too full, that is!


Address: Joyang-dong, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Namiseom Island → Chuncheon Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street, approx. 45 min): From Namiseom Island Dock, take a taxi approx. 2.03km to Gapyeong Station → Take the ITX-Cheongchun Train to Chuncheon Station → From Chuncheon Station, Exit 1, walk approx. 1.02km to Chuncheon Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street.

12:30 PM - Chuncheon Romantic Market

Chuncheon Romantic Market is the city’s representative permanent market, enchanted with the romance and lifestyle of ordinary people. Originally called Chuncheon Jungang Market, the name changed in 2010 and the interior of the market saw a large renovation in keeping with the feeling of the new name. Each shop in the market was given a drawing to showcase the shop’s particular and unique traits, cultivated over 30-50 years of business. Many tourists enjoy exploring the market to discover the many murals and sculptures, and take pictures with their favorites.


Address: 42-18, Jungangno 2-ga, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Chuncheon Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street → Chuncheon Romantic Market, approx. 6 min): Walk approx. 403m to Chuncheon Romantic Market.

5:00 PM - Seorak Waterpia

Seorak Waterpia is a four-season water theme park using natural spring water in both spa and water leisure areas. The park is open year round but is especially popular in summer, when many tourists come to visit the East Sea. Enjoy the beauty of Seoraksan Mountain as you soak the spa, or enjoy the thrill and adventure of the park’s many exciting slides.


Address: 88, Misiryeong-ro 2983 beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Chuncheon Romantic Market → Seorak Waterpia, approx. 3 hrs): Walk 175m to Jungang Market-Jungang Elementary School Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 7 to Chuncheon Intercity Bus Terminal → Take an intercity bus to Sokcho (14:00 departure; 109km) → Take a taxi 7.21km to Seorak Waterpia.
Operating hours (Ticket booth): 06:00-20:00
※ The time listed is for peak season (December 18, 2015 - March 1, 2016), and is subject to change. Some areas do not operate in winter.
Admission: Adults 30,000-60,000 won
※ The fare listed is during peak season (December 18, 2015 - March 1, 2016), and may change according to date and time of visit.
Website: www.hanwharesort.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Day 2

9:00 AM – Morning exercise at Seoraksan National Park

Korea’s most representative mountain, Seoraksan Mountain is located in the northwestern part of Gangwon-do, in the cities and counties of Sokcho, Yangyang, Goseong and Inje among others. The mountain range is so vast and magnificent that it is generally classed into Inner Seorak to the east and Outer Seorak to the west, with the dividing point being the highest peak, Daecheongbong Peak (1,708m).

Many visitors to Outer Seorak depart from the nearby Sokcho, hiking on courses to Ulsanbawi Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress and Biryong Falls. The difficulty and time required vary by each course, with most beginners choosing the Gwongeumseong Fortress course. This course is unique from the others in the fact that you can take the Seorak Sogongwon cable car to the top and hike down for an easier way to experience the beautiful mountain views.


Address (Seorak Sogongwon Cable Car): 1085, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Seorak Waterpia → Seorak Sogongwon Cable Car, approx. 25 min): Take a taxi approx. 8.82km to Seorak Sogongwon Cable Car.
Operating hours (Cable car) : 08:30-17:00
※ For safety, the cable car does not operate during strong winds
Fare:
- Seoraksan National Park: Adults 3,500 won / Teenagers 1,000 won / Children 500 won
- Cable car (Round-trip): Adults 10,000 won / Children 6,000 won
※ Visitors must pay the Seoraksan National Park admission separately in order to use the cable car
Website:
- Seoraksan National Park seorak.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
- Seorak Sogongwon Cable Car www.sorakcablecar.co.kr (Korean, English, Chinese)

12:00 PM – Lunch at Daepohang Port

One of the closest attractions to Seoraksan National Park is Daepohang Port, a representative fishing harbor on the East Sea. Rather than large fishing boats, the harbor and sea are filled with small boats operated by individual fishermen. The catch of the day is sold in a market set up right on the street, stretching from the entrance to the water’s edge. It is fun to walk through and see all the seafood for sale, but more than anything, the biggest enjoyment of the market is to eat! Fried squid and shrimp or fresh hoe (sliced raw fish), the options are unlimited. Pick the seafood you like and enjoy!


Address: 6-13, Daepohang 1-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Seorak Sogongwon Cable Car → Daepohang Port, approx. 49 min): Walk approx. 586m to Sogongwon Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 7 to Daepohang Port Entrance Bus Stop → Walk approx. 288m to Daepohang Port.

1:40 PM – Ride the ferry to Abai Village

Abai Village is one of Sokcho’s top attractions. ‘Abai’ means grandfather in the dialect of Hamgyeong-do, a region in the northeastern part of the Korean peninsula. The village was founded in 1950 by refugees of the Korean War who settled here and the name of “Grandfather Village” came later. While the village holds a sad history, it is more commonly known for its appearance in the popular drama “Autumn in my Heart (2000).” If you want to visit, take the Abai Village ferry from downtown Sokcho. While it is only a 50m boat-ride away, it is a fun and unique experience that should not be missed.

When arriving in Abai Village, the first thing to do is take a look around! Sculptures and murals are scattered throughout the village, and the house of the drama’s main character Eunseo makes a great background for a souvenir photo.


Address: 122, Cheongho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Daepohang Port → Abai Village, approx. 33 min): Walk approx. 288m to Daepohang Port Entrance Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 9 to Ferry Entrance Bus Stop → Walk approx. 280m towards Abai Village → Ride the ferry approx. 50m.
Fare (Ferry): One way 200 won / Round-trip 400 won
Website: www.abai.co.kr (Korean only)

4:00 PM - Naksansa Temple

Take in the beauty of one of Gangwon-do’s eight scenic views of the East Sea at Naksansa Temple, built by Uisang, a Buddhist Master during the Unified Silla Dynasty (625-702). The temple houses many treasures to enjoy, including a grand Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue and Kwanseum Bodhisattva statue at Hongryeonam Hermitage. The surrounding view is outstanding, attracting many Korean artists who have attempted to reproduce this scene in both writing and images.

Naksansa Temple is most popular in October and early November. Many visitors make wishes to the toad statue below Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue, or on the “road to my dream” starting from the entrance of the temple and stretching to the top. It is believed that if you pray the whole way up, your wish will come true. This is especially common among parents of students taking the university entrance exam.


Address: 100 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
Directions (Abai Village → Naksansa Temple, approx. 53 min): Take the ferry 50m toward downtown Sokcho → Walk approx. 302m to Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 9 to Seorak Beach Bus Stop → Walk approx. 814m to Naksansa Temple.
Operating hours: 06:00-19:30
※ Naksansa Temple is open from sunrise to sunset; therefore, operating hours will vary by season.
Admission: Adults 3,000 won / Teenagers 1,500 won / Children 1,000 won
Website: www.naksansa.or.kr (Korean only)

Day 3

* Gangneung Transportation TIP:

Be sure to check the bus times when traveling in Gangneung. Compared to other regions, the bus intervals are rather long here. If you miss the bus, rather than wasting time waiting, we recommend taking a taxi to the next destination.

10:00 AM - Walk around Sun Cruise Theme Park

A ship perached upon the cliffside above Jeongdongjin Beach, Sun Cruise Resort! The resort is famous for its cruise ship-shaped architecture and was selected on CNN’s 2014 list of Korea’s most unique accommodations. The night view is beautiful, but the sun rising over the ocean is worth waking up early.

Sun Cruise Resort provides wonderful accommodations, but even if you don’t spend the night here, the park is great to walk around. Take photos with “The Hands of Blessing” and other works of art in the Sunrise Garden. Relax on the green lawn at Grass Garden or walk on water by stepping out directly over the ocean at the Glass Observatory.


Address: 950-39, Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Naksansa Temple → Sun Cruise Resort (Theme Park), approx. 2 hr): Walk approx. 858m to Naksan Beach Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 9 to Yangyang Bus Terminal Bus Stop → Walk approx. 30m to Yangyang Intercity Bus Terminal → Take an intercity bus approx. 50.27km to Gangneung Bus Terminal → Walk approx. 66m to Gangneung Bus Terminal Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 109 to Sun Cruise Resort Bus Stop → Walk approx. 172m to Sun Cruise Resort.
Website: www.esuncruise.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

11:30 AM – Relax at Jeongdongjin Beach or Gangneung Café Street

For lunch, visit Jeongdongjin Beach or Gangneung Café Street. Both places are great but for time-saving purposes, pick just one attraction to visit. Most people choose Jeongdongjin Beach for spring or autumn and Gangneung Café Street for summer or winter. Of course, the choice is up to you!

Jeongdongjin gets its name from being exactly due west (‘jeongdong’ in Korean) of Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul. Enjoy the coast as you ride along on a rail bike, departing from the train station closest to the ocean in the world. The course is a total of 5.1km round-trip, most popular among tourists in spring when the weather is just right.

For a cup of coffee while gazing out at the blue ocean, let’s visit Anmok Beach. Started with a single vending machine, the number of coffee shops along the shore has increased over the years to form Gangneung Café Street. From individually operated local shops to chain cafes, visitors have a vast pool to choose from. Buy your coffee and take a moment to enjoy the harmony of the energizing drink and the calming view of the waves crashing to the shore.


Address:
- Jeongdongjin Beach: 64-3, Jeongdongyeok-gil, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
- Gangneung Café Street: 17, Changhae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Sun Cruise Resort → Jeongdongjin Beach, approx. 16 min): Walk approx. 172m to Sun Cruise Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 109 to Jeongdongjin Station Bus Stop → Walk approx. 255m to Jeongdongjin Beach.
Directions (Sun Cruise Resort → Gangneung Café Street, approx. 1 hr 17min): Walk approx. 172m to Sun Cruise Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 109 to Namdaecheon-Gangneunggyo Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 101 to Anmok Bus Stop → Walk approx. 135m to Gangneung Café Street.
Operating hours (Jeongdongjin Railbike): Winter season (Nov-Feb) 09:00-16:00 / Summer season (Mar-Oct) 09:00-17:00
※ Jeongdongjin Railbike is temporarily closed for safety inspection from January 19, 2016 until June (planned).
Fare: 2-seater 20,000 won / 4-seater 30,000 won
Website: www.sunbike.kr (Korean only)

3:00 PM - Ojukheon House

Ojukheon House gets its name from the black bamboo that surrounds the building. This attraction is a key historical site in Gangneung and is becoming more well-known thanks to its role in the drama “Saimdang, The Herstory,” a drama about Shin Saimdang coming out in Korea and China at the end of 2016.

Ojukheon House was the birthplace of Shin Saimdang (1504-1551), known as the Mother of Korea, and her son Yi I (1536-1584), one of Korea’s most prominent Confucian scholars also known by his penname of Yulgok. The two are both immensely important in Korea’s history, being on the 50,000 and 5,000 won bills, respectively.


Address: 24, Yulgok-ro 3139beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Jeongdongjin Beach → Ojukheon House, approx. 1 hr 11min): Walk approx. 322m to Jeongdongjin Station Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 109 to Namdaecheon-Gangneunggyo Bridge Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 204 to Ojukheon Bus Stop → Walk approx. 190m to Ojukheon House.
Directions (Gangneung Café Street → Ojukheon House, approx. 43min): Walk approx. 89m to Anmok Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 300 to Seongyojang Entrance Bus Stop → Walk approx. 419m to Ojukheon House.
Operating hours: Winter 08:00-17:30 / Summer 08:00-18:00
※ Closed January 1, Seollal (Lunar New Year) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays (Ojukheon Munseongsa Shrine open year round).
Admission: Adults 3,000 won / Teenagers 2,000 won / Children 1,000 won
※ Fare is for Ojukheon & Museum; Admission to Saimdang and Oriental Embroidery Musuem charged separately.
Website: ojukheon.gangneung.go.kr (Korean only)

4:30 PM - Seongyojang House

Next on the tour is Seongyojang House, located near Ojukheon House. This house is a fellow historical site and filming location of “Saimdang, the Herstory.”

Seongyojang House is both a representative of traditional hanok and also of the housing of the upper class. The main house is the largest of all remaining traditional houses, with a size of 102 kan (‘kan’ measuring the space between two pillars). When you consider the fact that at the time the house was built, there was a rule in place that even the highest ranking man could only have a house of 99 kan, this building is truly exceptional. The lush pine tree forest growing behind the house for hundreds of years creates an elegant and refined backdrop to the charming beauty of this traditional destination.


Address: 63, Unjeong-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Ojukheon House → Seongyojang House, approx. 17min): Walk approx. 458m to Ojukheon Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 202 to Seongyojang Bus Stop → Walk approx. 181m to Seongyojang House.
Operating hours: Winter season (Nov-Feb) 09:00-17:00 / Summer season (Mar-Oct) 09:00-18:00
Admission: Adults 5,000 won / Teenagers 3,000 won / Children 2,000 won
Website: www.knsgj.net (Korean only)

Gyeongpodae Pavilion

When Koreans hear ‘Gyeongpodae’ their first thought is most often of the beach, but the beach’s name actually comes from Gyeongpodae Pavilion, built during the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was moved to its current location, giving the surrounding attractions their names. Many poets have written about the pavilion, comparing it to priceless gems.

The view from Gyeongpodae Pavilion is spectacular, showcasing Gyeongpoho Lake, mirroring the larger East Sea. The lake was originally part the ocean but over time, a build-up of silt and rocks formed a barrier, separating the two bodies of water.

Gyeongpodae Pavilion is beautiful year-round but is most attractive during April, when the cherry blossoms bloom. The 4.3km course from Gyeongpodae Pavilion to Gyeongpoho Lake is lined with cherry blossom trees, raining down soft pink petals on the couples walking hand-in-hand and the many photographers looking for the perfect snapshot of spring.


Address: 365, Gyeongpo-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Directions (Seongyojang House → Gyeongpodae Pavilion, approx. 14min): Walk approx. 181m to Seongyojang Bus Stop → Take Bus No. 202 to Gyeongpodae-Chamsori Museum Bus Stop → Walk approx. 64m to Gyeongpodae Pavilion.