Sokcho, a city in northwest Gangwon-do province, is located on South Korea’s east coast. Tourists and locals flock to the tiny hub largely because it is the gateway to one of the country’s most popular national parks: Seoraksan 설악산.
What many people don’t realize is that Sokcho features a beautiful beach as well. You can expect coarse, white sand; clear water; pine trees; many camping spots; and it can be easily reached by public transportation.
Sokcho is also one of the largest cities you’ll encounter before reaching the border of North and South Korea. This coastal city (시) has many touristy shops selling goods (no need to bring snacks, groceries or beach gear); large, open fish tanks with live sea creatures (you’re going to want to try the fresh seafood while you’re there), and is less crowded than other popular beach destinations, like those in Busan. There are also interesting activities and beautiful lakes within the city to keep you entertained.
What this post covers
In this post, you’ll find out the best time to go to Sokcho, how to get there from Seoul, where to stay, what to do, and recommended foods to try. Please comment and let me know your thoughts and if there’s anything else you’d like to know! Here goes.
Best time to go
Spring and autumn are the best times to travel around Korea. The hiking is glorious, the beaches are less crowded, and the temperatures an agreeable 20-ish degrees Celsius.
Rainy season is anywhere from July to early September, so I’d check the weather before you head out, but if you’re planning on swimming at the beach, June to August is your best bet.
How to get there
If you have a car, it's a straight shot. If not, the bus is reliable and gets you there is about the same amount of time. Here's what to do.
Bus
Take the bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Starting point: Seoul Gyeongbu) to Sokcho Bus Terminal. It takes around 2h30 and leaves as early as 6 a.m. If possible, buy your ticket in advance here.
*Pro tip: If using Google Chrome to search (desktop/laptop), use the translation button in the search bar at the top right of your screen.
Once you arrive in Sokcho, head out of the Sokcho express bus terminal, take a left, and walk for 500m. The main beach will appear before you… all 2km of pristine sand.
Car
If you have a car, download the apps Naver or KakaoMap—South Korea’s Google. The apps will help you navigate through traffic, warn you about speed cameras, and highlight accident-prone areas in addition to finding you the fastest route to your destination. Google doesn’t seem to work effectively here, so switch things up.
The driving distance between Seoul Station and Sokcho is 194 km and takes approximately 2h30 (if you’re lucky).
Where to stay
Accommodation options are plentiful. From hotels and AirBnbs to camping, you can have your pick.
AirBnb
With an easy translation button, you don’t need to be fluent in Korean to navigate around the site. A quick search will find you clean, affordable options right along the beach. Friends of ours stayed in The Blue Mark hotel, via AirBnb, and loved it. It’s modern and the location is perfect for those spending time on the beach or heading to the national park.
Camping
One of our most beloved discoveries in Korea—vast camping options, largely free. Just north or south of Sokcho beach are open lots, forest areas beside the sand, and secluded spots for beach camping. And… it’s free. There are toilets every 100m or so and at Naksan beach (minutes south of Sokcho by car), there are showers. Car camping and trailers are also welcome in the lots.
Pro tip:
Steer clear of Sokcho main beach for overnight camping. The lights are bright and don’t seem to dim, which makes it hard to sleep, and there are very few parking spots. If you get there in the day to secure a spot and you have an eye mask, go for it!
If not, head north to pristine Dungdae Beach (등대해변), which is far less crowded, and set up a tent on the sand or head south to Naksan, where there’s a cozy social element as locals huddle around self-made fires and cook barbecue dinners.
Always remember to take all trash away with you and leave the spots as clean as you found them.
12 things to do in Sokcho
With beaches and mountains in an established city, options abound. Here are some of the things we did, saw, and recommend. I have yet to check off a few on this list, but I’ll be back.
Grab coffee at one of the many coffee spots along the coast. We loved 어느멋진날카페 and 카페맴맴 (just copy and paste the names into KakaoMap to find them). They open at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.
Hire an umbrella and relax on Sokcho beach. If wanting to swim, head out in summer. Alternatively, pop up a colorful tent, as the locals do, and spend all day in the sand.
Learn to surf just north of Naksan Beach. There are three rental companies, for boards and wetsuits, right along the beach. Search for 'Bigisland Surf' on KakaoMap and you’ll find it—the vibrant orange lighthouse there is a beacon on a cloudy day.
View Sokcho from above at the observation deck on Sokcho Expo Tower 속초 엑스포타워. The 73.4m tower is quite unusual (pictured below).
Bike the coastal trail from Sokcho Beach to Hajodae Beach in YangYang (you're heading south).
Bikes are available to rent outside the GS25 convenience store on the corner of Simin Siksu Park, right beside Expo Tower, and were 15,000won per person per day. The aforementioned route is 26.5km from the rental spot to Hajodae with sweeping views of the east coast. If that’s a little too far, worry not, you can pedal back whenever you’re ready.
Pro tip:
Try to cycle along the blue-lined trails—these are bike paths. When you lose sight of one, meander along the coast. There are many convenience stores and restrooms en route. Stop when you need to and take in the views.
Soak in the Cheoksan Hot Spring 척산온천 휴양촌. Located in downtown Sokcho, the all-natural springs and jimjibang are a refreshing treat. If using KakaoMap, it’s called ‘Cheoksan Spa’ and is located at 288, Gwangwang-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do.
Splash in Seorak Waterpia 설악 워터피아. The waterpark, consisting of a spa zone and indoor waterpark with outdoor attractions, can be enjoyed in all seasons by children and adults. The water used in the park originates from Cheoksan and is meant to soothe and purify.
Visit Naksansa Temple for coastal views and a look at intricate painted Korean structures. It costs 4,000won to enter.
Take a walk beside Cheongchoho Lake 청초호 or Yeongrangho Lake, both created by the East Sea. There's a glass coffee shop (large glass windows) along the way—caffeine top up?
Camp on the beach. There are countless spots to set up a tent or park in a lot—you'll see families with elaborate setups or simple two-man tents on the sand. Refer to my recommendations above when searching for a spot.
Take a ferry to nearby Jodo Island (Bird Island) to view the seabirds. Head to Sokchohang Port and hop on the Sokcho Expo Excursion Steamer to get up close and circle the island.
Hike in Seoraksan National Park 설악산국립공원사무소.
Whether you’re aiming to do a 2km waterfall hike or an all-day hike to the peak, you must check out the gorgeous, craggy mountain tops and surrounding forest—it’s breathtaking.
If hiking isn’t your speed, catch the cable car to the top for some mystical park views (you can even see Sokcho beach from the top).
Regardless of what you choose, 3,000won gets you into the national park. From there, you're either walking up or paying for a ride (cable car). There are restaurants and stores at the base for a post-hike refuel.
If you’re a festival goer, head over on New Year’s Day for the Sokcho Sunrise Festival 속초 해맞이. There are fireworks, performances, and all-day entertainment.
Have you done something that I might have missed? Let me know!
Eating out: try this
First things first. When venturing away from major cities, the English level of locals tends to be lower. If you're fluent in Hangul, congrats! If not, here's how to order a meal at a restaurant in Hangul (Korean).
Korean 101: Restaurant Edition
Click this link for a simple restaurant lesson in Korean. Practice, put yourself out there, and BINGO... let's eat!
What to order in Sokcho
회 Hwae (or hweh) – thinly sliced, raw fish.
The dish usually arrives on a platter with ssam (쌈 - leaf wrap) and kketnip (깻잎 - stronger-tasting sesame leaves). You dip the fish in a red pepper-vinegar sauce (초장 chojung) and wrap it in a leaf. Several sides (반찬 banchan) also accompany the meal—think roasted seaweed, pickled ginger, and wasabi.
You will see countless fish tanks lining the streets and along the beach. Take a stroll and see what catches your eye and then sit down, order, and enjoy.
Have you tried the raw fish here yet?
순두부 찌개 Sundubu-jjigae - a vegan stew made with soft tofu, vegetables (onion, mushroom), and a spicy sauce (gochujang, gochu garu). You have the option to add meat or seafood if desired.
This dish is available at many of the seafood restaurants adjacent to the beach.
Korean tip: whenever you see ‘찌개’ (jjigae) on a menu, it is referring to stew.
If you are vegan and are concerned that meat or seafood will sneak into your stew, simply say:
"Gogi bbeh juseyo" (고기 빼주세요) — remove the meat.
치킨 Fried chicken
The chicken is spicy, crunchy, and generously scattered with garlic—the makings of a fine evening meal. Our friends discovered this restaurant and keep returning. You’ll have to try it and let us know if you can handle the bite.
Restaurant recommendation: Mansuk Dakgangjeong Market 2 (name on Google) or 만석닭강정 시장본점 (on KakaoMap).
Address: 195, Subok-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do; website linked here.
Best paired with beer (맥주 maekju) and eaten on the beach or at a beach-side picnic table.
Final thoughts
Although I’ve visited Sokcho before, the bike trip and beach camping this time around made for some special memories. Rustle a group of friends, head out for the weekend, and let me know what you think.
Much love,
Kate x
Save the pins below for future reference. You don’t want to miss Sokcho.
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