Hwajinpo Lake (화진포(화진포호))

316.5230066890501m 15015 2021-08-10

Geojin-eup, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-680-3677

Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon in Korea with its sand made from seashells and rocks that were broken down over thousands of years. With soft sand and shallow waters, it is a popular beach location. In winter, various migratory birds and swans can be seen, as the birds enjoy clean water and food from the field of reeds. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-seong of North Korea and the former South Korean President Rhee Syngman and Vice-president Lee Ki-poong had summer houses here. It also has Hwajinpo Museum of History with more than 40,000 artifacts from 1,500 species.

Villa of Rhee Syngman (이승만별장(고성))

473.4846744030974m 34257 2019-07-20

33, Iseungmanbyeoljang-gil, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-682-0500

During the 1950's, three leaders, namely Kim Ilsung, Rhee Syngman and Lee Ki-poong had summer houses built around the lake of Hwajinpo. The villa of Rhee Syngman, Korea's first president, was built in 1954 but fell into a state of disuse by 1961. It was not repaired until July of 1997 by the army, and was fully restored in 1999, opening as an exhibition hall.

Hwajinpo History & Security Museum (화진포역사안보전시관)

500.9596569749998m 7555 2021-07-20

33, Iseungmanbyeoljang-gil, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-680-3677

Next to Hwajinpo Lake and a dense forest of pine trees lays Hwajinpo History and Security Museum. Its premier location near amazing ecological sites makes the museum a popular destination to pay a visit. The museum holds goods used during warfare and other historical remains of former presidents. Various government officials had private villas in the area including former president Syngman Rhee.

Villa of Lee Ki-poong (이기붕별장)

997.0815729360424m 24814 2022-09-08

300-1, Hwajinpo-gil, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-680-3677

The villa of Lee Ki-poong is located between the villas of Rhee Syngman and Kim Ilsung on the shores of Hwajinpo Lake. The villa was originally built by foreign missionaries in the 1920s. It was used as vacation villa by the Northern communist party's executives before the Korean War broke out, and was turned into a private residence by Lee, the Vice-president to President Rhee, and his wife Maria Park after the cease-fire agreement.

Castle at Hwajinpo (화진포의 성(김일성별장))

1.0 Km 48104 2021-02-04

280, Hwajinpo-gil, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-680-3677

The Castle of Hwajinpo was the summer retreat for Kim Ilsung, former leader of North Korea, and his family from 1948 to 1950. Photos of the family on vacation there show Kim Jungil as a young boy of six years. The building was constructed entirely of stone in 1938 by a German architect for the Sherwood Hall missionary family, and features a basement level and two above-ground floors. The house is now open to the public, with an exhibition of how the house was used by the Kim family, faithfully recreated from photographic research.

Hwajinpo Beach [National Geopark] (화진포 (강원평화지역 국가지질공원))

1.4 Km 21228 2021-06-23

Hyeonnae-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-249-3881

Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon in Korea, created by a section of the ocean being closed off when two opposing sand spits merged. This unique formation and the ecosystem that came to live on the sand bar are highly valued. The water in the lagoon was a mix of fresh and salt water, creating a special environment for aquatic animals of both types to live together. The lake is in the shape of a figure eight, with the southern lake being larger than the northern lake, although the northern lake is still connected with the ocean through a small stream.

Jebiho Restaurant (제비호 식당)

3.0 Km 19555 2024-03-18

29 Geojinhang-gil, Geojin-eup, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
033-682-1970

Jebiho Restaurant at Geojin Port in Goseong specializes in saengtae jjigae (pollack Jjigae). Saengtae jjigae, a dish prepared by cutting freshly-caught pollack into pieces and boiling them in soup, is known for its clean and light flavor. The menu also features dongtae tang (pollack soup), galchi jorim (braised cutlassfish), and modeum saengseon jorim (assorted braised fish). Geojin Port is situated near attractions like Geojin 1-ri Beach, Geojin Lighthouse Sunrise Park, as well as Geojin Haemajibong Forest Park. The Goseong Unification Observatory is just a 10-minute drive away.

Geojin Port (거진항)

3.3 Km 38089 2024-03-18

62-3 Geojinhang 1-gil, Geojin-eup, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Geojin port is renowned for its pollack and squid fishing and is one of the top producers of pollack in Korea. Visitors can indulge in a variety of dishes featuring this fish. Popular options include myeongtae seogeori (julienne radish fresh salad with fresh pollack gills) and myeongnan sikae (salted and fermented pollack roe tossed with millet). Nearby attractions include Geojin Lighthouse Sunrise Park, Geojin Haemajibong Forest Park, and Geojin 1-ri Beach.

Gajinhaebyeon Beach (가진해변)

3.3 Km 32659 2024-03-18

Gajin-ri, Jugwang-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do

The waters at Gajinhaebyeon Beach display a wonderous mix of deep blue and emerald hues. Swimming is permitted up to 15 meters from the shore, so visitors should take care to stay within this designated area. Its proximity to Gajin Port means that visitors can enjoy fresh hwareo hoe (sliced raw fish), and avid fishers have the chance to fish from the breakwater. Addtionally, the Goseong Unification Observatory is just a 20-minute drive to the north.

Goseong Myeongtae Festival (고성통일명태축제)

3.5 Km 7513 2022-12-28

125, Haeoreumhaebyeon-gil, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info:+82-33-682-8008

To ensure a good haul and community prosperity, this festival is held at Geojinhang Port, known as the primary place of Pollack fish in Korea. The festival includes numerous hands-on events such as a sea festival, a cultural festival, and a local culture experience.

The festival has helped the city to promote their local seafood, farm products and other specialties, thus contributing to the growth of the local economy.

Hwajinpo Lake (화진포(화진포호)) - Area information - Korea travel information