Gangwon Travel Guide: Mountains, Beaches and the Wild East Coast
Gangwon is Korea’s great outdoors. Occupying the rugged northeast, it’s where the country’s highest mountains meet the East Sea, delivering world-class hiking, powder-snow ski resorts, pine-fringed beaches, and some of Korea’s most beloved comfort food — often within a single day’s drive.
Seoraksan & Sokcho
The crown jewel is Seoraksan National Park, a wonderland of granite peaks famous for its blazing autumn foliage. Easy trails lead to waterfalls and a giant bronze Buddha, a cable car saves your legs, and serious hikers tackle the steep climb up Ulsanbawi. Base yourself in the coastal city of Sokcho, where you can eat fresh seafood and ride a hand-pulled ferry to the refugee-settled Abai Village (see our full Seoraksan & Sokcho guide).
Gangneung & the coffee coast
Down the coast, Gangneung is the East Sea’s most beloved city break — host of the 2018 Winter Olympics and famous for its Anmok coffee street, where dozens of cafes line the beach. Add the calm waters of Gyeongpo Lake and the historic Ojukheon house, and it’s an easy, photogenic getaway, now just two hours from Seoul by KTX.
Ski country: Pyeongchang
In winter, Gangwon is Korea’s snow capital. Pyeongchang and its big resorts — Yongpyong and Alpensia — anchor the country’s ski scene, and the serene mountain temple of Woljeongsa, with its fir-tree forest path, is magical under snow.
Chuncheon & Nami Island
Closer to Seoul, Chuncheon is the gateway to Nami Island, a tree-lined river isle made famous by Korean dramas and perfect for a leisurely stroll. The city is also the home of dakgalbi, spicy stir-fried chicken — reason enough to visit.
Good to know
- Getting there: KTX reaches Gangneung in about 2 hours; express buses serve Sokcho and Chuncheon.
- Best time: autumn for foliage, winter for skiing, summer for beaches — there’s a season for everything.
- Eat: dakgalbi, makguksu (buckwheat noodles), and grilled fish on the coast.