Day Trips from Gangneung. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Pyeongchang (평창): Host of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. A region of beautiful mountainous landscapes and serene temples. Experience world-class winter sports resorts or summer gondola rides.

Visit Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm for pastoral views. Explore Woljeongsa Temple in Odaesan National Park.

Getting There & Visit Duration

KTX from Gangneung to Jinbu Station, then local transport. Direct local buses or taxis also operate.
A full day is suitable for Pyeongchang's main sites.
Combining activities like the sheep farm and a temple visit is possible.
Consider local bus or taxi routes for definite spots.

Coastal & Southern Excursions

See the coastal cities south of Gangneung, presenting their own unique attractions.

Sokcho 속초

Gateway to Seoraksan National Park with hiking and cable car views. Explore Abai Hamlet for North Korean refugee culture and local food. Visit Sokcho Jungang Market for fresh seafood.

Travel & Timing

Frequent intercity buses from Gangneung (approximately 1 hour).
A full day is suitable, especially with Seoraksan hiking plans.
Focus on Seoraksan or combine with city exploration.

Donghae 동해

A coastal city just south of Gangneung, presenting its own charming attractions. Home to Mukho Port and its fresh seafood restaurants.

Coastal Highlights

Mukho Port for fresh seafood dining.
Nongeup Wall, a mural village.
Chuam Beach with its unique 'Candlestick Rock'.

Samcheok 삼척

Unique Attractions

Haesindang Park (Penis Park) for an unique cultural perspective.
Jukseoru Pavilion with scenic coastal views.
Cheonnyeon Cave, a large limestone cave.
A one-of-a-kind experience.

Getting There

Intercity bus from Gangneung (approximately 1.5 hours).
KTX to Donghae, then local connections.
A full day is advised for main highlights.
Think about combining Donghae and Samcheok for an extended trip.

Travel Comparison

Independent TravelHas flexibility and budget-friendly choices.
Planning RequirementUsing navigation apps like Naver Map is suitable.
Organized ToursFewer options specifically from Gangneung.
Seoul DeparturesMulti-day tours often originate from Seoul.

Private DriverAn option for personalized itineraries.
Cost ConsiderationThis option is at a higher expense.
Group TravelPrivate drivers are fitting for groups.
Day Trip FocusSelect one or two activities per day trip.

Trip Planning

When planning a day trip, begin early. National parks are vast. Verify bus schedules for your return journey.

Natural Escapes

Gangwon Province is a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Seoraksan National Park

Majestic mountains, granite peaks, deep valleys, and waterfalls. Stunning natural beauty. Cable vehicle access has panoramic views for less strenuous activity.

Odaesan National Park

Known for pristine forests, clear streams, and the historic Woljeongsa Temple. Excellent for tranquil hiking and unspoiled nature, often with fewer crowds than Seoraksan.

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

A serene, pastoral retreat with rolling green hills and free-roaming sheep. A refreshing change of scenery and a pleasant spot for a stroll.

Seoraksan & Sokcho Details

Seoraksan National Park, a significant natural wonder. Sokcho serves as a nearby coastal city.

Activities

Hiking trails for all skill levels.
Cable car to Gwongeumseong Fortress for scenery.
Explore Abai Village and Jungang Market in Sokcho.

Odaesan & Pyeongchang Details

Odaesan National Park, home to Woljeongsa Temple. Pyeongchang has the Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm and Olympic sites.

Points of Interest

Woljeongsa Temple's beautiful fir forest.
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm visits and animal interaction.
Pyeongchang Olympic venues for leisure and winter sports.

Planning Your Nature Visit

SeoraksanFull day for hiking and exploration.

SokchoFull day with bazaar and village.

OdaesanHalf to full day for temple and trails.

PyeongchangFull day combining farm and temple or resorts.

Donghae/SamcheokHalf to full day per city.

Start TimeAn early start is suitable for national parks.

Park Guidelines

Stay on marked trails.
Do not litter.
Avoid collecting natural items.
Respect protected zones.
Check weather conditions.

Cultural Excursions

Deepen your cultural understanding with visits to nearby historical and spiritual sites.

Woljeongsa Temple 월정사

A serene Buddhist temple nestled within Odaesan National Park. Famous for its beautiful fir forest path causing the temple complex and a significant 9-story stone pagoda.

Spiritual Retreat

Has a peaceful temple retreat.
A glimpse into Korean Buddhism.
The revered fir forest pathway.

Naksansa Temple 낙산사

A lovely Buddhist temple on a cliff with a view of the East Sea, near Sokcho. Famous for its large Bodhisattva statue (Haesu Gwaneum-sang) and stunning coastal views, especially at sunrise.

Scenic Highlights

The prominent Bodhisattva statue.
Breathtaking coastal panoramas.
Beautiful temple grounds suitable for exploration.

Haesindang Park 해신당공원

A unique and memorable park in Samcheok dedicated to fertility, displaying numerous phallic sculptures. Has a distinct cultural perspective on bygone folk beliefs.

Cultural Insight

Includes a unique folklore museum.
Quirky sculptures offer a memorable visual.
This preserve has an one-of-a-kind experience.

Jukseoru Pavilion 죽서루

A historical pavilion perched on a cliff in Samcheok, presenting scenic views of the Samcheok coastal river and surrounding landscape. It ranks among the Eight Scenic Spots of Gwandong.

Historical Views

Its historical significance is considerable.
Offers scenic river views.
Has distinguished beauty of the architecture.

Cultural Experiences

Explore the deep spiritual and historical heritage of Gangwon Province.

Temple Serenity

Woljeongsa has peaceful reflection amidst nature.

Coastal Spirituality

Naksansa combines spiritual visits with ocean vistas.

Unique Folklore

Haesindang Park has an unusual cultural journey.

Dress Code

When visiting temples, modest attire (shoulders and knees covered) is appropriate. Remove shoes before entering temple halls.

Multi-Day Extensions

Gangneung functions as a component of a larger regional itinerary.

Travel Planning

Seoul & Gangwon Loop

Combine capital exploration with coastal and mountain experiences for a varied trip.

East Coast Road Trip

Drive north or south to explore diverse coastal attractions at your own pace.

DMZ Perspective

Goseong has an unique perspective on the inter-Korean border for those interested.

Logical Next Destinations

Busan: Major port city, accessible by KTX.
Jeju Island: Volcanic island, accessible by flight.
Gyeongju: Ancient Silla capital, with a rich history.
Seoul: Capital city, easily reached by KTX.
Andong: Folk village, cultural heritage.
Suncheon: Eco-tourism, bay gardens.

Transportation Connections

KTX: The main connection for efficiently reaching Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongju.
Rapid Bus: An extensive network connects major cities, a budget-friendly option.
Rental Car: Perfect for discovering the East Coast at your own pace, utmost flexibility.
Local Buses: Handy for nearby towns.
Taxis: For short distances within cities.
Check schedules for seamless transitions between transport modes.

Regional Travel Routes

Northbound Coast

Begin in Gangneung, then travel north along the from coast to the other side Sokcho (for Seoraksan National Park and Abai Village) and further to Goseong (for the DMZ Peace Observatory).

Southbound Coast

From Gangneung, head south to Donghae (for Mukho Port and Chuam Beach), then Samcheok (for Haesindang Park and caves), and potentially further down to Uljin or Pohang, exploring the diverse coastal views and local towns.

Inland & Beyond

Consider extending your trip further inland to Pyeongchang, or connecting to cities like Gyeongju (via KTX transfer at Dongdaegu) for a broader South Korean experience.

Travel Pointers

For multi-day planning, prioritize KTX or express buses. Rental cars present utmost independence for scenic routes. Consider regional passes for savings.

Day Trips from Gangneung