Abai Village (아바이 마을)

19.3Km 2025-03-16

122-1 Cheongho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Located in Cheongho-dong, Abai Village bears a history of displaced people’s distress. The village was formed by refugees of the Korean War from North Korea, mainly from Hamgyeong-do Province. The word “abai” is a dialect of Hamgyeong-do that means a friendly old man like a grandfather. Visitors to Abai Village can get a sense of displaced people’s life and story, which fade away into a chapter of history. Although it has lost its original appearance now, old shacks without a gate still remain here and there. Mural paintings on the wall show the sentiment of nostalgia about their hometown and express sorrow and hard life of displaced people, who lived from hand to mouth by fishing and doing physical labor. The original houses built by refugees in the village were restored into the Refugee Village at the Sokcho Museum. Abai Village is also known as a filming location for the Korean TV drama Autumn in My Heart, attracting a lot of visitors and becoming a major attraction in Sokcho. The restaurant alley is packed with cafes and North Korean food restaurants serving local dishes such as Hamheung-style cold buckwheat noodles, stuffed squid, and North Korean-style sausage soup.

Dancheon Sikdang (단천식당)

19.4Km 2024-02-16

17 Abaimaeul-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
033-632-7828

Dancheon Sikdang specializes in abai sundae (North Korean sundae), a sundae dish from Hamgyeong-do Province of North Korea. Abai sundae is made by stuffing pork large intestines with seonji (blood) and sweet rice, followed by steaming. Currently operated by the third generation, the restaurant also offers dishes like myeongtae hoe naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles with raw pollack), ojingeo sundae (stuffed squid), and gajami sikhae (salted and fermented plaice). It is located in Abai Village, an area established by war refugees from North Korea during the Korean War.

Yeongnangho Lake (영랑호)

19.5Km 2022-12-21

140, Yeongnanghoban-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-639-2690

Yeongnangho Lake is a deep and large lake with a circumference of 7.8 km, an area of about 1.2 km2, and a depth of over 8 m, formed by the development of coastal dunes. The source water originates from the Jangcheoncheon Stream, passing through the lake, and goes to the East Sea via the waterway under the Yeongnanggyo Bridge. The lake is adjacent to the areas of Jangsa-dong, Yeongnang-dong, Dongmyeong-dong, and Geumho-dong. The pleasant trail is also established around the lakeside, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms, azaleas, and reeds. According to Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), the name of the lake comes from Silla’s hwarang (elite warrior group in Silla) member named “Yeongnang.” After training at Geumgangsan Mountain, Yeongnang passed this lake on the way to get to the martial arts competition. As he was so taken by the splendid landscape, however, he forgot about the competition and stayed here for a long time. As the old record says, Yeongnangho Lake boasts outstanding scenery. Beombawi Rock, in particular, evokes visitors’ admiration as one of the Eight Sights of Sokcho. The rock, which resembles the shape of a tiger crouching down, has an aura of mystery. The nearby tourist attractions also include Gwaneumam Rock, which is known for the strange rocks and bizarre stones, Bogwangsa Temple, and the Wetland Eco Park, which is located in the west of the lakeside.

Yeongnangho Lake Beombawi Rock (범바위)

19.5Km 2025-01-31

140 Yeongnanghoban-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Located close to Yeongnangho Lake, the Beombawi Rock is one of the 8 Scenic Views of Sokcho. Its name comes from its shape, which resembles a tiger, beom in Korean. From the top of the Rock, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking view of the East Sea, Seoraksan Mountain, Ulsanbawi Rock, and Yeongnangho Lake Lake all at once.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "Decision to Leave (2022)"
The filming location of Gireumbong Peak in Gusosan Mountain is a fictitious location where a mysterious death occured. Beombawi Rock has a shape that looks like a crouching tiger, showing its magnificent stance. From Beombawi Rock, one can overlook the refreshing scenery of Yeongnangho Lake. Contrary to the movie's portrayal, it's not 138 stories high; it's about a 5-minute walk from the entrance to the Beombawi Rock.

Songjeonhaebyeon Beach (송전해수욕장)

19.8Km 2024-02-05

21-7 Songjeon-ri, Sonyang-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do

This beach ranks among Korea's most favored surfing destinations. With its pristine white sand, it stretches 900 meters in length and 80 meters in x_width, and has a depth of 1 meter. It holds the distinction of being the second largest and longest white sand beach in Yangyang-gun, following Naksanhaebyeon Beach. Notably, the water here is so clean and clear that visitors can enjoy clamming.

Perfect Days (완벽한 날들)

19.9Km 2024-02-16

7 Subok-ro 259beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

This indie bookstore in Sokcho serves a dual purpose as both a café and accommodations. An indie bookstore refers to a store independent of large distribution networks or capital, curated according to the owner’s personal tastes. Housing nearly 1,000 books, it offers a cozy space for visitors to relax and enjoy reading. Its prime location on Sokcho’s Soho Street places it amidst an array of charming cafés and restaurants, enhancing its appeal as a destination for book lovers and casual visitors alike.

Sokcho Culture Center (속초문화회관)

19.9Km 2021-11-30

155, Beonyeong-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-639-2080

Sokcho Culture Center is a cultural facility located in Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do. The main building houses a grand theater with fully-equipped lighting and sound systems, and practice rooms. The annex building has a small conference room, exhibition chamber, cultural room and administration offices.

Osan-ri Prehistory Museum (오산리선사유적박물관)

19.9Km 2021-08-11

33, Hakpo-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2442

Osan-ri Prehistory Museum is dedicated to preserving, researching, and exhibiting artifacts found in the Archaeological Site in Osan-ri, Yangyang. These artifacts, dating back to the Neolithic period about 8,000 years ago, were found over the course of public works on the museum’s surrounding wetlands. The collection of nearly 40,000 artifacts, include earthenware with a raised design, stone arrowheads, and net weights, represent one of the premier archaeological findings of the Neolithic period in Korea. The artifacts themselves speak to the fishing, hunting, and gathering activities of the Neolithic residents of Osan-ri. The museum is divided into indoor and outdoor exhibitions, storage, and research areas. Exhibition Hall 1, located indoors, offers a diorama of the Neolithic lifestyle in Osan-ri, such as fishing, gathering, and earthenware production. Exhibition Hall 2 introduces the prehistoric culture of the Yeongdong region, encompassing the periods from the Neolithic to the Iron Age in Yangyang, Goseong, and Gangneung. Outdoor Exhibition includes Neolithic cottage models, exploration paths, and Ssangho Wetlands, whose nickname of “the dancing reed bed” comes from the mysterious sight of the reed bed rising over the wetlands like an island, dancing to the winds.

Abai Village (아바이 마을) - Area information - Korea travel information