ARUNA (아루나)

13.5 Km 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.

Sokcho Expo Tower (속초 엑스포타워)

13.6 Km 32859 2019-09-20

72, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-637-5083

Sokcho Expo Tower in the area of Cheongchoho Lake, Joyang-dong, is an observatory tower set in a park surrounded by mountains and lakes.

The tower is 73.4m in x_height and can accommodate up to 100 visitors at once. From the observation platform, visitors can enjoy a complete view of the Sokcho area, including Ulsanbawi Rock and Daecheongbong Peak in Seoraksan Mountain, the East Sea and downtown Sokcho. The view around sunset is especially picturesque and the migratory bird habitat of Cheongchoho Lake is also located near the tower.

Cheongchoho Lake (청초호)

13.8 Km 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.

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

14.0 Km 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.

Do Hotel [Korea Quality] 두호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

14.1 Km 0 2023-06-27

139, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-631-7007, +82-10-4895-3515

The Do Hotel stands just in front of Cheongcho Lake Park in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. Thanks to this location, early-rising guests can watch the sunrise over Cheongcho Lake; and year-round, the lake and park make this a great spot for photos. There’s plenty of parking space, and guests can arrive or leave early in the morning if necessary. Tourist attractions such as Yeonggeumjeong, Daepo Port, Dongmyeong Port, and Seoraksan Mountain are all easy to get to.

Cheongchoho Lake Park (청초호 호수공원)

14.2 Km 0 2024-04-08

140 Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do40

Cheongchoho Lake Park is where the 1999 International Tourism & Culture Expo was held. Benches are scattered around the park for resting in the shade of trees. By the natural lake is a walking deck for enjoying tulips in spring, marinas in summer, chrysanthemums in fall, and snow in winter. From the top of the Expo Tower, one can see a panoramic view of Cheongchoho Lake, Cheongchoho Lake Park, the East Sea, and even Jodo Island. On the other side, Ulsanbawi Peak and Dalmabong Peak of Seoraksan Mountain come into view.

Chilsung Boatyard (칠성조선소)

14.2 Km 0 2023-02-03

45, Jungang-ro 46beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Chilsung Boatyard is a cafe remodeled from an old boatyard located near Cheongcho Lake Park. The facility was run as a boatyard from 1952 to 2017 before reopening its doors as a cafe in 2018. The cafe consists of four spaces - Salon, Museum, Playscape, and Open Factory - with Salon being the cafe. It sells self-roasted coffee, hot chocolate, ice cream, sparkling water drinks, and many other beverages. The outdoor tables of the cafe are connected to Cheongchoho Lake, which attracts many families. There are traces of the old boatyard still remaining throughout the venue.

Hansongjeong Garden (한송정가든)

14.2 Km 9330 2018-11-08

452-4, Nohak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
82-33-636-7750

Hansongjeong Garden is owned by a first-rate chef who only uses carefully selected ingredients. The owner-chef won the Grand Prize in the SIFE Seoul International Culinary Competition 2007 and received a bronze medal for his work at the Gangwon Tour Service Competition. He also has a patent on Eolgari Nangmyeon (Cold Buckwheat Noodles with Eolgari Kimchi).

Dancheon Sikdang (단천식당)

14.3 Km 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.

Abai Village Ferry (아바이마을 갯배)

14.3 Km 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.

ARUNA (아루나) - Area information - Korea travel information