O
Ojukheon
Revered as the birthplace of the paragon of Korean womanhood, Sin Saimdang (1504–51), and her son, the philosopher and government official Yi Yulgok (1536…
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Gangneung
Gangneung (강릉), the largest city on the Gangwon-do coast, hosted many events of the 2018 Winter Olympics including figure and speed skating, ice hockey and curling.
Its appeal lies towards the sea, particularly near Gyeongpo, while its cultural hotspots – well-preserved Joseon-era buildings in the unmissable Ojukheon and the 400-year-old shamanist Dano Festival – are matched by quirky modern attractions, such as a museum lovingly dedicated to Thomas Edison and a North Korean submarine.
With a decent bar scene, the town is a good place to linger for a few days if you’re looking for an experience that’s off the beaten track without being too small-town. Try to arrive in spring, when azaleas cover the town in gorgeous splashes of color. The city tree is the pine, found in abundance by Gyeongpo Beach.
Explore Gangneung
- OOjukheon
Revered as the birthplace of the paragon of Korean womanhood, Sin Saimdang (1504–51), and her son, the philosopher and government official Yi Yulgok (1536…
- GGyeongpo-ho & Gyeongpodae Pavilion
Immediately behind Gyeongpo Beach is Gyeongpo-ho, which attracts local residents looking for a little peace and quiet. There’s a 4km bicycle path along…
- GGangneung Seongyojang
Dating to the late Joseon dynasty, this national cultural property was for 300 years the home of a yangban (aristocratic) family. It was built for a…
- CChamsori Gramophone & Edison Museum
This whimsical museum is a sheer delight. It combines the two loves of private collector Son Sung-Mok: gramophones and Thomas Edison. There are hundreds…
- GGyeongpo Beach
The largest beach on the east coast, and the third-busiest in South Korea, has 1.8km of flat, white sand bordered by pine trees and pleasant waters. It’s…
- AAnmok Beach
This fine beach strewn with golden sand and shells is framed between the blue, blue sea and a long line of cafes; it's a lovely place for a stroll, to…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Gangneung.
See
Ojukheon
Revered as the birthplace of the paragon of Korean womanhood, Sin Saimdang (1504–51), and her son, the philosopher and government official Yi Yulgok (1536…
See
Gyeongpo-ho & Gyeongpodae Pavilion
Immediately behind Gyeongpo Beach is Gyeongpo-ho, which attracts local residents looking for a little peace and quiet. There’s a 4km bicycle path along…
See
Gangneung Seongyojang
Dating to the late Joseon dynasty, this national cultural property was for 300 years the home of a yangban (aristocratic) family. It was built for a…
See
Chamsori Gramophone & Edison Museum
This whimsical museum is a sheer delight. It combines the two loves of private collector Son Sung-Mok: gramophones and Thomas Edison. There are hundreds…
See
Gyeongpo Beach
The largest beach on the east coast, and the third-busiest in South Korea, has 1.8km of flat, white sand bordered by pine trees and pleasant waters. It’s…
See
Anmok Beach
This fine beach strewn with golden sand and shells is framed between the blue, blue sea and a long line of cafes; it's a lovely place for a stroll, to…
Guidebooks
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