Sokcho & Gangneung 2-Day Itinerary — The Perfect Gangneung Trip

Kick off your Gangneung trip with a quick stop at Sokcho's lively covered market — the best introduction to the city's seafood culture. The most famous snack here is the dak-gangjeong (닭강정), a crispy-sweet fried chicken unique to Sokcho that draws queues of Korean tourists. Pick up a paper cone for the road. You'll also see stalls piled with fresh squid (ojingeo), dried fish, and local dried seaweed.

Seoraksan (설악산, "Snow Peak Mountain") is one of Korea's most spectacular national parks, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famous for dramatic granite peaks and dense forests. The Biryong Falls (비룡폭포) trail from Sogongwon entrance is the ideal half-day hike — 3.2 km round trip along a rocky gorge stream to a slender 16 m waterfall, taking about 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace. The path crosses several suspension bridges and is accessible for most fitness levels.

Abai Village is a small peninsula community formed by North Korean refugees after the Korean War — the name comes from a Hamgyong dialect word for "old man." To reach it, take the hand-pulled cable ferry (gaetbae, 갯배) across the narrow Cheongcho lagoon channel — an iconic and slightly wobbly 2-minute crossing for ₩500. The village is famous for two dishes: ojingeo sundae (오징어순대, whole squid stuffed with glass noodles and sticky rice) and abai sundubu (soft tofu stew with fresh seafood). Try both at one of the family-run restaurants lining the main alley.

Sokcho Beach (속초해수욕장) stretches 2 km along the East Sea — a clean, quiet alternative to the more crowded Haeundae or Gyeongpo beaches. The water is clear and cool even in summer. Stroll south along the promenade that hugs Cheongcho Lake (청초호), a large brackish lagoon flanked by cafés and seafood restaurants. The views of the Seoraksan peaks to the west catching afternoon light are superb. This is a great spot to relax, people-watch, and recharge before dinner.

Daepohang (대포항) is Sokcho's main fishing port and the best place for a proper seafood dinner. The row of restaurants along the harbour all offer similar menus: hoe (회, raw fish platters), ganjang gejang (간장게장, soy-marinated raw crab), and enormous grilled squid. For a budget-friendly option, the covered market stalls sell fresh hoe plates from ₩20,000–40,000 depending on the catch of the day. Take your fish selection to an adjacent restaurant (hoe-pocha) who will plate it for a small service fee.

Chodang Sundubu Village (초당순두부마을) is the spiritual home of sundubu (순두부), Korea's silky soft uncurdled tofu. The tofu here has been made since the Joseon era using deep mineral-rich seawater (instead of salt brine as a coagulant), giving it a uniquely delicate, slightly briny flavour. The village is a cluster of about a dozen family tofu restaurants that open early and serve steaming pots of sundubu jjigae alongside bowls of plain soft tofu with soy dipping sauce. Wongojip (원고집) and Chodang Grandma Sundubu (초당할머니순두부) are two of the most respected spots.

Ojukheon (오죽헌, "Black Bamboo House") is a 500-year-old Joseon-era residence that holds a special place in Korean national identity — it is the birthplace of Yi I (이이, pen name Yulgok), the great Confucian scholar whose portrait appears on the ₩5,000 banknote, and his equally celebrated mother Shin Saimdang (신사임당), the first woman depicted on Korean currency (₩50,000 note). The complex includes a well-preserved wooden hall, a small art museum dedicated to Shin Saimdang's paintings, and the famous grove of black-stemmed bamboo that gives the estate its name.

Gyeongpo Lake (경포호) is a large natural lagoon separated from the East Sea beach by a narrow strip of pine forest — the combination of the calm lake, pine promenade, and distant sea views is quintessentially Gangneung. The lakeside walking path (4 km full circuit) passes the historic Gyeongpodae Pavilion (경포대), a beautifully restored Joseon-era wooden pavilion that was a favourite retreat for scholars and poets. The pavilion offers sweeping views over the lake and is one of the "Eight Scenic Wonders of Gwandong." Cherry blossoms here in early April are legendary.

Gyeongpo Beach (경포해수욕장) is one of Korea's most famous beaches — a 1.8 km arc of white sand backed by pine trees and boardwalk cafés. The water is famously clean and the waves calmer than the southern beaches, making it popular for swimming from June to August. Even outside beach season, the wide sandy promenade is perfect for a walk. The backdrop of pine forest and the coastal breeze make it one of Korea's most picturesque beach settings.

Jumunjin (주문진) is a working fishing village about 20 km north of Gangneung city, home to one of the east coast's most authentic fish markets. The covered market hall is full of vendors selling the morning's catch — squid, snow crab, sea urchin (seonggae, 성게), and various flatfish. You can buy raw fish at the market and take it to one of the small restaurants upstairs who will plate and garnish it for you. The atmosphere here is far more local and less touristy than the larger markets in Sokcho or Busan.

Head back to Gangneung Bus Terminal for the express bus to Seoul (2 hrs). Before boarding, grab a quick dinner at one of the terminal's surrounding restaurants or food stalls. Dakgalbi (닭갈비, spicy stir-fried chicken) is a local Gangwon Province speciality worth trying if you haven't already. Alternatively, pick up some fresh ojingeo (dried squid) from the market stalls near the terminal as a snack for the journey — a classic Korean bus trip tradition.