Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)

13.0 Km 7795 2020-03-25

Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-249-2775

Seorak Special Tourist Zone is a vast zone included in 3 administrative districts, encompassing the entirety of Seoraksan Mountain. In this zone, visitors have various ways to enjoy Seoraksan Mountain and the natural environment of the East Sea region.

Sokcho, which occupies the largest area in the zone, comes first when talking about Seoraksan National Park. Tourists can appreciate the picturesque scenery of the sea and coastal lakes as well as the mountain scenery of Seoraksan Mountain. Hikers can climb the mountain or ride a cable car. Sokcho Beach is a hot spot that attracts young people who fill the place with energy and life all through the summer.

Abai Village, which appeared in several TV dramas for its unique atmosphere, and Sokcho Jungang Market offer local specialties, such as abai sundae (Korean sausage) and dak gangjeong (glazed fried chicken bites).

Goseong, which is bordered by Seoraksan Mountain and Geumgangsan Mountain, is part of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) that offers a unpolluted, beautiful landscape around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Hwajinpo Beach near Hwajinpo Lake, which is a lagoon, and Songjiho Beach near Songjiho Lake are the best places to spend a peaceful vacation. At Hwajinpo Lake, tourists can visit the summer house used by the first South Korean President Syngman Rhee and Castle of Hwajinpo, visited by the former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung before the division of the Korean Peninsula. Lastly, although it is a relatively small part of Seorak Special Tourist Zone, Yangyang has resources for mountain tourism and maritime culture, such as Seoraksan National Park and Naksan Provincial Park. Naksan Beach, Naksansa Temple and Hajodae are popular tourist sites. It is also famous as a district producing high quality pine mushroom.

* Current State of Seorak Special Tourist Zone
1) Districts Covered: Areas around Sokcho-si and parts of Goseong and Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
2) Area: 138.2k㎡(Sokcho 104.9k㎡, Goseong 30.5k㎡, Yangyang 2.8k㎡)

* Tourist Attractions
Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho Beach, Naksan Provincial Park, Hwajinpo Lake, Songjiho Lake, Hajodae Pavilion, Naksansa Temple, Osaek Mineral Spring, etc.

Uisangdae Pavilion (낙산사 의상대)

13.0 Km 16142 2021-04-12

100, Naksansa-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-2447

This pavilion is located on a seaside cliff on the way from Yangyang’s Naksansa Temple to Gwaneumgul Cave of Hongnyeonam Hermitage. The word “dae” in Uisangdae refers to a building built at a vantage point for areas with beautiful scenery. Indeed, the view of the East Sea and the coast from Uisangdae Pavilion awarded its recognition as one of the Eight Sights of Yangyang, and a must-visit place for all visitors to Naksansa Temple. Jeong Cheol (pen-name: Songgang), a famed scholar and writer of the poem Song of Diamond Mountains, chose the pavilion as one of the Eight Sights of Gwandong, and the pavilion is today one of the popular sites for sunrise-viewing on the east coast of Korea. Together with Hongnyeonam Hermitage, it is designated as the Scenic Site No. 27 of Korea under the name “Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongnyeonam Hermitage of Naksansa Temple, Yangyang.” Uisangdae is named after Uisang, a respected Silla-era Buddhist monk who is said to have founded this temple in 671 (11th year of King Munmu’s reign of Silla), and many stories of his deeds can still be found in the temple. For instance, Uisangdae is said to be the site where he meditated before founding Naksansa Temple at its present site. Today’s pavilion was restored to its present hexagonal form in 1995.

Jeongin Hoesikdang (정인회식당)

13.4 Km 18009 2024-02-16

32 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do

Jeongin Hoesikdang, situated near Naksan Beach in Yangyang, specializes in mul hoe (cold raw fish soup) and saengseon jjigae (fish jjigae). It prides itself on using fresh fish, sourced from nearby ports and used within a day of purchase. The restaurant's signature dish is sanureok maeuntang (spicy rockfish stew). Other popular menu items include modeum mul hoe (assorted cold raw fish soup), seongge albap (sea urchin roe rice), and ojingeo hoe deopbap (raw squid bibimbap). Additionally, soups like gomchi tang (spicy moray eel stew) and haemul tang (spicy seafood stew) are also highly recommended. For guests interested in local attractions, the scenic Naksansa Temple and Naksanhaebyeon Beach are nearby.

Geumgangsan Daegehoetjip (금강산대게횟집)

13.4 Km 169 2021-03-20

8-5, Haemaji-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-671-5207

A restaurant that sells a variety of seafood. The best menu at this restaurant is king crab. This seafood restaurant is located in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do.

Songjiho Beach (송지호 해수욕장)

13.5 Km 58650 2024-03-18

85 Simcheungsu-gil, Jugwang-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Located near Songjiho Lake, one of the most famous lagoons on the eastern coast of Korea, Songjiho Beach stretches 2 kilometers in length and is 100 meters wide. It is also located close to Seoraksan Mountain. The beach is quite popular, thanks to its clear water and shallow depth. The island just off the coast, Jukdo Island, features a handsome collection of bamboo trees and unique rock formations.

Naksan Beach (낙산해수욕장)

13.8 Km 70554 2022-12-22

59, Haemaji-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2518

Naksan Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Yangyang, located in Joseon-ri, Yangyang-eup, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do. Since its opening in 1963, it has attracted more than 1 million visitors each year, its reputation being rivaled only by the Gyeongpodae Beach on the east coast of Korea. The 4 kilometer-long sand beach contrasts magnificently with the lush pine trees of the area. The water is less than 1.5 meter deep, making it a good place for all ages. Naksanhang Port marks one end of the beach, behind which Naksan Mountain, the location of Naksansa Temple, can be found. The other end has a lake formed at the delta of Namdaecheon Stream, which originates from Seoraksan Mountain. Many cafes, convenience stores, restaurants, and accommodations cater to the needs of the visitors. The beach sees considerable traffic in winter as well, when it serves as a popular venue for sunrise-watching, particularly for the New Year’s Day festival.

Naksan Provincial Park (낙산도립공원)

13.8 Km 10954 2018-01-25

59, Haemaji-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2518

Naksan Provincial Park takes up 24km of shoreline in Yangyang, Gangwon-do. The park is centered on Naksansa Temple and Naksan Beach, but includes Osan, Dongho, and Hajodae Beaches, as well as many lakes and cliffs. The park is a great place to learn about Korean culture, including Buddhist culture at Naksansa Temple and other cultural relics, and the shoreline cliffs of pine trees. The park is a popular attraction in the summer, when visitors can swim in the ocean and play in the sand along the coast.

Postponed: Yongdaeri Hwangtae Festival (용대리 황태축제)

14.2 Km 17883 2022-05-16

Yongdae 3-ri Intersection, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-33-462-4805

Yongdaeri Hwangtae Festival aims to promote the city as the best place for hwangtae (pollack) and to inform people about the quality and nutritional value of pollack in order to boost the region's economy. An array of hands-on pollack-themed programs are available for visitors to take part in.

Baekdamsa Temple (백담사)

14.6 Km 26525 2021-05-03

746, Baekdam-ro, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-462-6969

Located within Seoraksan Mountain, Baekdamsa Temple was built by Monk Ja Jang (590~658) during the reign of Queen Jindeok (647-654), 28th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was burnt down and moved several times until 1957 when it was rebuilt to the current location. There are various treasures and hermitages in the temple. Many famous people have visited the temple including Manhae Han Yong-un, a strong independence activist and poet. There are countless number of rock towers in front of the temple by the creek where visitors come to stack stones while praying for their wishes.

Ocean Valley Resort (오션벨리리조트)

14.8 Km 18556 2021-01-29

127-30, Ilchul-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-4200

Ocean Valley Resort is located on the sandy shore of Naksan Beach staring out at the clean blue waters of the East Sea. The resort is the closest accommodation to the ocean in the nation. Since its opening in 2001, the resort has continued to strive to provide the best service in order for customers to have an unforgettable experience. The resort is open all year long, allowing guests to enjoy a range of activities like Naksan Beach in the summer to skiing in the winter.

There are many attractions close to the resort including Naksansa Temple, Cheoksan Hot Springs, Osaek Mineral Spring, and Unification Observatory. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of leisure sports like sea fishing, boating, water skiing and golf. Ocean Valley Resort is an environmentally conscious resort that uses solar power to cover its energy needs.

Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information