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On the Road in Gangwon-do
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On the Road in Gangwon-do
  • By Visitkorea
  • 승인 2021.01.29 08:00
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There is something magical about Gangwon-do in winter, with or without snow. The beautiful landscapes and cultural experiences available at both mountain and coastal attractions draw in all who hear their call. If you’re searching for a winter wonderland, then look no further than Gangwon-do!

* Attractions may be closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We advise you to check the details before visiting.

Click to watch a playlist of traveling to Gangwon-do


Major transportation centers

1. Gangneung Station

Gangneung Station opened on December 22, 2017. The station serves as the final stop of the Gangneung Line, operating between Gangneung and Seoul in just 1 hour 40 minutes. The station is conveniently located in the center of the city, with a rental car booth outside Exit 2.

2. Jinbu (Odaesan) Station

Jinbu (Odaesan) Station is located in Pyeongchang on the Gangneung Line, and was opened specifically for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, with many of the venues being within easy access. Additional attractions nearby include Daegwallyeong Sheep RanchOdaesan National Park, and Woljeongsa Temple.

3. Donghae Station

Donghae Station first opened on August 1, 1940 as Bukpyeong Station, but was later reopened as Donghae Station on June 1, 1984. The station now services Mugunghwa, Nuriro, and KTX trains as well as the Sea Train. Nearby attractions include Nongoldam-gil StreetMukhohang PortChuam Chotdaebawi Rock, and more.


Recommended attractions

1. Wondae-ri Birch Tree Forest

Visiting Wondae-ri Birch Forest in Inje-gun is like traveling to another realm. It begins with a quest to find birch trees; there isn’t a single one visible from the entrance at the foot of the mountain. A hero’s quest is never easy and the trail from the entrance to the forest stretches approximately 3.2 kilometers up the mountainside. All visitors have to walk on their own two feet, but you can make it easier if you have the proper equipment, such as ice cleats and trekking poles. The information center also provides walking sticks to use free of charge. With the proper preparations and perseverance, each step up will reveal another birch tree or two, mere glimmers of the treasure that awaits.

After roughly an hour of climbing up, you will come to a sign welcoming you to Wondae-ri Birch Forest, where an amazing sight unfolds before your eyes. Nearly 410,000 tall white birch trees fill the valley below. During winter, snow often blankets the area, creating an even more fantastic scene like something you’d find in a movie. If you’d like to star in your own film here, be sure to take some photos of yourself peeking out of the hut made of birch trees, walking along the pathways, or gazing out from the forest classroom.

2. Gangmun Beach

The East Sea viewed from Gangwon-do is known to be clean and clear – essentially, picture-perfect! Because of this, people come to the coast no matter what season it is. There are many famous beaches to take in the sights, but Gangmun Beach in Gangneung tops them all when it comes to taking pictures.

Despite being a rather small stretch of coast, the beach is lined with photo spots, from the GANGMUN sign to giant photo frames and rings. The easel photo frame is probably the most popular spot, allowing for great photos with the blue East Sea in the background. After checking out each of the photo spots, be sure to go to Gangmun Sotdae Bridge, connecting Gangmun Beach with the larger Gyeongpo Beach to the north. With its large white arch, the bridge itself could be considered another photo zone!

3. Donghae Nongoldam-gil Street

Wandering the quiet streets around Mokhohang Port, you may suddenly find signs pointing to Donghae Nongoldam-gil Street painted on the road. There is no exact entrance or path to this attraction; you must simply follow your feet wherever they may lead you. Rather than worrying about getting lost, take turns down different alleyways to see what you might discover. Without knowing it, you’ll magically find your way back to where you were. Eventually, you’ll reach the summit, where fantastic views of the city of Donghae and the East Sea unfold around you.

The history of Nongoldam-gil Street is deeply tied with the opening of Mukhohang Port in 1941. The walls of the village tell this history through murals and photos, provided by both artists and local residents. After exploring each of the three main pathways, take a break at one of the cafés or galleries, each with excellent views of the sea.

All roads lead to Rome, or Mukho Lighthouse in the case of Nongoldam-gil Street. The lighthouse has been protecting boats coming into Mukhohang Port since June 8, 1963. Standing at 93 meters above sea level, the lighthouse serves as both a beacon for the harbor and an observation deck of the city. The area around the base of the lighthouse is designated as a Marine Culture Space, and is planned to get even better next year with the creation of a three-point skywalk and various experience facilities.

4. Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch

Wind power generators dot the landscape of Daegwallyeong Pass. If you follow the winding road up the mountain until the generators appear to be spinning right above you, you’ll reach Daegwallyeong Rest Area. This isn’t just any old rest area; look closely and you’ll find signs pointing to Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch. Pass through the buildings and head up the hill a bit more to reach the ranch. In winter, the grassy fields are covered in a thick blanket of snow! The ranch has two main walking courses, with Course 1 taking you to a small wooden shack and Course 2 taking you even further up the mountainside for a complete panorama of the ranch. During winter when the winds blow strong, we recommend the more sheltered Course 1. Be sure to get a photo taken with the shack, just as much a symbol of the ranch as the sheep are!

Of course, a visit to the sheep ranch wouldn’t be complete without actually seeing the sheep! During winter, the sheep are kept warm and well-fed in a barn in the dip between the hills. Here, you can even help in caring for the sheep by feeding them hay! Afterwards, be sure to visit the rest area. The rest area has a small convenience store selling gift items and warm drinks, as well as a fireplace, perfect for warming up in a hurry.

5. Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest

The path through Woljeongsa Fir Tree Forest stretches 1.9 kilometers from Iljumun Gate to the main grounds of Woljeongsa Temple. The forest is also called “Forest of a Thousand Years,” estimated to have protected the temple for that long. Fir trees are a member of the pine tree family known to grow very tall. They can also survive in very cold temperatures, creating a stunning view in winter with snow coating the pine needles high above.

The trail is interspersed with dynamic art installations and informational signs on the fauna and flora growing in the forest; if you’re lucky, you might even spot some live chipmunks running about. One of the most moving art pieces is the Fallen Fir Tree, an old tree that fell over in the night on October 23, 2006 at the age of nearly 600 years. The base of the tree stands hollowed out with a majority of the tree trunk stretching out on the ground to the side of the path.

6. Chodang Dubu Village

Chodang dubu

If you spend time in Gangneung, it’s impossible to leave without trying a dubu (tofu) dish or two from Chodang Dubu Village. The area features some 20 restaurants all selling their own unique spins on the classic Chodang dubu. The village name Chodang comes from the penname of Heo Yeop, the father of two of Korea’s most famous writers who lived in Gangneung. Chodang dubu differs from dubu made in other areas by using sea water for the brine the soybeans are soaked in.

Soft tofu gelato
Soft tofu gelato
Chodang tofu dishes
Chodang tofu dishes

While all the restaurants in the Chodang Dubu Village serve the original Chodang sun dubu (Chodang soft tofu) dish, they also offer a variety of new takes on the classic dish. The most popular menu, recommended by Gangneung locals, is the octopus & soft tofu hot pot. The dish comes in both a plain or spicy version and is very filling. Just be sure to save a little room for dessert! Cafés and bakeries selling soft tofu gelato and tofu tarts can also be found throughout the village.


Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr


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