ARUNA (아루나) - Area information - Korea travel information

ARUNA (아루나)

ARUNA (아루나)

0m    0     2024-02-16

85 Cheonghohaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Located on Sokcho’s Cheonghohaean-gil, ARUNA is renowned for its stunning ocean views and rooftop area. The first floor of the café features a large window wall on one side, offering expansive views of the sky and the East Sea. ARUNA’s selection of coffee beverages and desserts, including matcha, scones, and cookies, are well-received by visitors. Additionally, the café is conveniently located near several tourist attractions such as Sokchohaebyeon Beach, Sokcho Eye (Ferris Wheel), and Abai Village. 

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

531.8032696307451m    42432     2021-04-09

122-1, Cheongho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-639-2690

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.

Café ONE FINE DAY (어느멋진날카페)

Café ONE FINE DAY (어느멋진날카페)

559.5299922265335m    0     2024-02-16

54 Cheongho-ro 2-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Café ONE FINE DAY boasts a stunning view of Sokcho Beach, visible right before it. Both the first and second floors feature expansive window walls that offer unobstructed views of the beach, while the third floor provides a view of the Sokcho Eye. The café's signature menu includes the "Sokcho Eye corn latte," named after the Ferris wheel visible from the café, and the "Ferris wheel bread." Other popular offerings include fresh pineapple juice and the unique Cotton candy latte.

Cheongchoho Lake (청초호)

Cheongchoho Lake (청초호)

693.5250229015628m    18371     2021-08-18

Cheongchohoban-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-639-2690

Cheongchoho Lake, located in the center of Sokcho city, is a large natural lake with a circumference of 5 m and an area of 1.3 km2. The source water originates from the Misiryeong Valley of Taebaek Mountain Range and flows to the Cheongchocheon Stream and to this beautiful lake, and then continues to the adjacent sea. So, the lake is an intermediate stop between the river and the sea. Cheongchojeong Pavilion is located above the lake, offering an open view of Seoraksan Mountain and the East Sea. As it is situated at the end of the 75 m-long ocean bridge, you will feel standing in the middle of the lake and enjoy a panoramic view of the lake. Shining more at night, this pavilion is regarded as the best attraction for the beautiful night view in Sokcho. It also attracts visitors’ attraction with its sculptures of the blue and yellow dragons, which were established based on the local legend associated with Cheongchoho Lake. The trail built around the lakeside is equipped with a nighttime lighting system so that many people visit it at night and the benches for rest and appreciating the view. There are many attractions around the lake, such as Seokbong Ceramic Museum, bird sanctuary, etc. The Cheongchoho Lake Park was the venue of the International Travel Expo ’99 Kangwon and is known for its 73.4 m high Expo Tower Observatory.

Sokcho Beach (속초해수욕장)

763.600534856391m    148075     2024-04-08

190 Haeoreum-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Sokcho Beach opened in 1976 and is one of Korea's representative beaches. It is close to Sokcho's downtown, and the express bus terminal is also within walking distance, so transportation is convenient. With clear sea water, shallow depth, and a gentle slope, Sokcho Beach attracts visitors from all over the country every summer. Especially during the high season in July and August, the beach is so cluttered that there's nowhere to walk. There are many restaurants and facilities near the beach. And there is a pine forest with a small park and a trail behind the beach. The sculptures installed throughout the sandy beach are a sight to see regardless of the season, so tourists continue to visit even after the holiday season. There are sculptures including the Korean initials "ㅅㅊ" symbolizing Sokcho, a large compass showing directions to countries around the world, and a dolphin sculpture. The large picture frame with the blue sea in the background and the Stairway to Heaven are the most popular photo spots here. The beach often serves as a venue for a variety of events like performances and festivals.

Dancheon Sikdang (단천식당)

Dancheon Sikdang (단천식당)

770.17793781987m    24897     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. 

With U [Korea Quality] / 위드유 [한국관광 품질인증]

With U [Korea Quality] / 위드유 [한국관광 품질인증]

771.4299540997653m    2983     2020-09-11

3993, Donghae-daero, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-10-9631-3620

(Korea Quality Premier Class) WITH U is both a guesthouse and a mini-hotel located in front of the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. It’s also very close to Sokcho Beach, so guests can enjoy a superb view of the beach from the fourth floor. Each guestroom is equipped with a bed placed on a flat bench which can be used as either a table or floor. This unique piece of furniture is designed for the comfort of those who prefer to sleep on the floor as well as those who prefer to sleep on a bed. The guesthouse has rooms of various types and sizes including double rooms, twin rooms, triple rooms, and family rooms to cater for every type of guest. The 4th floor consists largely of a lounge that is open to all the guests, while the basement floor comprises a cinema room, seminar room, and games room for recreational purposes. There is a garden and a designated smoking area next to the outdoor parking lot.

Chungchosoo Mul Hoe (청초수물회)

Chungchosoo Mul Hoe (청초수물회)

853.2371259860006m    12284     2024-02-16

12-36 Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
033-635-5050

Situated by Cheongchoho Lake in Sokcho, Chungchosoo Mul Hoe is renowned for its Haejeon mul hoe (cold raw fish soup with sea cucumber and abalone). The unique soup base is crafted by blending beef bone broth with traditional sauces, which is then aged for flavor enhancement. This rich soup is combined with an assortment of ingredients such as sliced raw fish, abalone, sea cucumber, sea squirt, octopus, and flying fish roe. Other popular menu items include seop guk, a mussle-based soup; seonggeal bibimbap, a sea urchin roe bibimbap; and ojingeo sundae, a specialty dish where a squid is stuffed with beef and vegetables. 

Abai Village Ferry (아바이마을 갯배)

863.5761112415476m    44806     2022-12-21

39, Jungangbudu-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-635-2003

Gaetbae (boat without engine) is an exotic means of transportation to cross the Abai Village at the mouth of Cheongchoho Lake. It is a rapid means of traveling between downtown Sokcho and Abai Village along the 50 m-long waterway. This small barge-style boat without an engine can be run by pulling the wire manually. When fixing the solid steel wire on both sides of the waterway and pulling it hard with a hook, a boat moves forward slowly. As there is no boatman, passengers need to work together to move the boat. It takes about 5 min to cross the water by boat. This unique experience still attracts many tourists to Sokcho. Furthermore, it is known as the filming location for the Korean TV drama Autumn in My Heart, so many tourists from Japan and China visit the place.

Sokcho Marina (속초마리나)

Sokcho Marina (속초마리나)

900.9482230265455m    0     2024-04-08

106 Cheolsae-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Sokcho Marina is a great place to visit with family members in the maritime city of Sokcho. Looking at the East Sea is lovely, but sailing through the blue sea is even more enjoyable. Sokcho Marina has a 12-seater cruise yacht suited for family and friends as well as a sailing yacht where passengers can soak up the romantic mood. By the dock is Cafe Marina where one can enjoy the view of yachts anchored in the bay through the window. The cruise route starts from Cheongchoho Lake and passes by Seorakdaegyo Bridge and Sokcho Beach, and turns around Jodo Island, one of the eight scenic sights of Sokcho, before returning to the dock.