Gangwon-do
The northernmost province in South Korea, Gangwon-do has mountainous terrain, white sand beaches, ski resorts, cable cars, and so much more. Thanks to the 2018 Winter Olympics which was hosted in Pyeongchang, the province is even more accessible. In the east, Seoraksan National Park has mountainside temples and hot springs. Odaesan National Park’s gentle slopes lead to the Stone Seated Buddha, while the steep cliffs of Chiaksan National Park offer more challenging trails. Gangwon-do offers something for everyone and plenty to see.
Top Travel Experiences In Gangwon-do
- Nami Island
- Seoraksan National Park
- Gyeongpo Beach
- Museum San
- Jeongdongjin Beach
- Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch
- Haslla Art World
- Wondaeri Birch Forest
Travel Tips For Gangwon-do
- Great Year-Round: Gangwon-do is easy to get to and it’s great year round. Whether you’re looking for snow drifts and mountains to hike or ski or a beach to swim or walk along, or something else, Gangwon-do probably has it. There’s so much to see and so much to do. Go whenever you can and as often as you can.
- Mountainous Views: 82% of Gangwon-do is mountainous terrain. There are amazing peaks for hiking, skiing, and some that just feature sheep and flowers too.
- Transportation Is (Fairly) Easy: Thanks to the Olympics, there is an easy train to get in and out and buses galore that head east. Northern Gangwon-do is still a bit of a trek, but that’s good if you’re looking for less popular spots.
- Get Your Food Fix: There is a rather distinctive regional cuisine thanks to the coast and high mountains. Food to try includes:Hwangtae (황태): Dried yellow Alaska pollock
- Hanwoo beef (한우): It beats most imported beef in terms of flavor and texture
- Memil (메밀): Buckwheat, buckwheat, buckwheat. Buckwheat noodles and buckwheat crepes are local delicacies.
- Namul (나물): Wild greens, roots, stems, leaves, ferns and prized pine mushrooms
- Ojingeo Sundae (오징어순대): squid stuffed with tentacles, mushrooms, vegetables, or sweet rice
Best Tours in Gangwon-do
Nami Island & Petite France Tour
Nami Island is said to be beautiful in every season of the year and I can vouch for summer, fall, and winter. Enjoy a trip to Nami Island, then Petite France and the Garden of the Morning Calm. This is one of the most popular daytrips to Gangwon-do.
Gangneung Hotspots Tour
Visit an amazing and immersive light and shadow art museum, visit the popular filming locations of “Goblin” and BTS, and enjoy the beautiful tranquility that the seaside of Gangwon-do has to offer. Gangneung is a popular destination and you’ll see why.
Chuncheon Taxi Tour
This taxi tour will go to the top traditional market, Jungang Market, in the area and two of the very popular and photo-worthy cafe streets. If you’re a foodie, this tour is for you. Enjoy a trip in Chuncheon and don’t worry about how to get from point A to B.
Mt. Seoraksan Tour
See the UNESCO listed Mt. Seoraksan, Nami Island, and finish up the day at the Garden of the Morning Calm to see the natural beauty of the land in the summer or the winter light festival when it’s colder.
Mt. Seorak & Naksansa Temple
This tour takes you from mountain top to beachside in one fell swoop. Take in the majestic and sight of mountain tops touching the clouds and then visit Naksansa Temple, home to an impressive Bodhisattva statue.
Cheorwon Day Tour
Embark on a captivating day trip to Cheorwon History & Culture Park, Cheorwon Peace Observatory, Goseokkjeong Flower Garden, and Cheorwon Traditional Market for a unique time-traveling experience.
Plan Your Trip to Gangwon-do
How To Get To Gangwon-do
By Train
Thanks to the winter Olympics hosted in Pyeongchang, there’s a train line that heads from Seoul east through Gangwon-do, all the way to Gangneung and then goes down the coast a bit too. It’s a super easy way to get out of the city whether it’s for a daytrip or a weekend away. If you’ll be traveling by train, definitely look into getting the Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass) which will end up giving you a discount on trips if you’re traveling all around and want to make multiple stops. The pass is the most cost effective way to travel for foreigners.
By Bus
While the train line can get you to a lot of parts of Gangwon-do, there are villages and towns in the northern part of Gangwon-do and then on the southern that are best found with a bus. If you do want to go by bus, you can get one from Seoul Express Bus Terminal, or Dong Seoul Terminal.
By Car
It’s easy to rent a car and once you get out of Seoul, the roads are not congested and it’s easy to navigate. We’ve rented from Avis here in Seoul and it was easy and efficient. If you’re a Klook user, then they also help with rentals in Korea as well. Don’t underestimate the fun of a road trip just make sure to remember your International Driver’s License.