Things to do in Sokcho-si

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Gangwon State

Seoraksan Cable Car

Located in Sokcho-si, Gangwon State, South Korea, the Seoraksan Cable Car is situated in the heart of the scenic Seoraksan National Park Seorak District, serving as a convenient starting point for visitors to explore the mountain's natural beauty. Surrounded by verdant pine forests and jagged peaks, the cable car ride offers an unfolding panorama as you ascend. Outside the window, visitors can see cliffs, streams, forest mist, and distant ocean views coming together to form a moving natural tableau. The cable car journey not only saves visitors the physical effort of climbing but also provides a vantage point to overlook the valley and gaze out at the distant sea. Upon arriving at the upper station, the observation deck offers expansive views, with rocky cliffs, verdant pine forests, and the vast sky creating an unforgettable alpine landscape. Whether you are escaping the summer heat, admiring fall foliage, or watching the winter snow, this place has a unique charm. There is a café and a small exhibition area here, allowing visitors to rest while enjoying the view.

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Gangwon State

Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion

Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion has a long history and features an exhibition room that showcases history, culture, and artworks related to Gangwon State.

Naksansa Temple

Luoshan Temple is a temple located 4 kilometers north of Luoshan Beach with a history of 1300 years. Silla (57 BC-AD 935) was built by Master Yixiang (625-702) in the 11th year of the 30th generation Wang Wenwu (reigned 661-681). The temple has a seven-story stone pagoda, a bronze bell, and a rainbow gate. and other cultural heritage. Legend has it that Yixiang returned to China after studying abroad in the Tang Dynasty in China. He met the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva while praying, so he built a hall at the Bodhisattva's guidance and named it Luoshan Temple. Houluoshan Temple has been rebuilt many times, and the current building was built in 1953. Luoshan Temple enters the temple through Yizhumen and Hongnimen. Turning into the temple in front of the Hongni Gate, on both sides of the hall, you can see the earthen walls and black bamboos mixed with mud and stone and paved with tiles. Next to the bronze bell on the north side of Luoshan Temple Beach, there is a small back door connected to Yixiangtai and Honglian Temple along a path. Yixiangtai is a pavilion built on a cliff by the sea, where Master Yixiang once practiced meditation. Red Lotus Nunnery is an nunnery built by Master Yixiang on a seaside grotto. A hole with a diameter of about 10 centimeters was dug in the eaves of the Fatang, and the sea can be seen from here. Go to the right foot of the mountain via Yixiangtai, where there is a stone Buddha statue of Guanyin standing on the Shenxian Peak standing looking out to the sea. The Buddha statue is so huge that it can be seen even from the far away port of Wuzi.

Seoraksan National Park Seorak District

Sokcho Beach

Sokcho Beach has clear water and a pine forest behind the wide sandy beach, which is beautiful. And because it is close to Sokcho Express Station (only 500 meters on foot), the transportation is convenient. Since the bathing area is very close to Mt. Seorak, many climbers who started from Nae Seorak and descended from Daecheong Peak to Seorak-dong also stopped by. From Cheongho-dong, Chaoyang-dong to Daepo-dong, the total length of the beach is 2 kilometers. The open part is 450 meters long, 75 meters wide, and covers an area of about 9,000 tsubo. Due to the fine sand, clear water and dense pine forests, the number of tourists increases year by year. Sokcho Beach, along with the famous Seoraksan Mountain, Cheoksan Hot Spring, Cheongcho Lake and Yeongrang Lake, has played an important role in making Sokcho City a comprehensive tourist destination. You can taste fresh live fish on the breakwater on the left side of the beach, and you can also take a boat to the Bird Island in front of the beach to fish.

No. 7 of Hot Springs Attractions in South Korea

Seorak Waterpia

Seorak Water Park is adjacent to the blue East China Sea and backed by the beautiful Seorak Mountain. It has modern hot spring facilities and open-air leisure facilities. It is a comprehensive hot spring theme park. The water world is divided into a hot spring area and an aromatic bath area. The main facilities are hot spring sauna, water amusement facilities and so on. You can see the beautiful scenery of Mt. Seorak in the open-air bath of the hot spring sauna. You can enjoy the scenery while bathing, which is one of the charms of Seorak Water World. The Seoraksan Hot Spring, with a water temperature of 49 degrees Celsius, has very good water quality. Throughout the year, the whole family can come here to soak in the hot spring and enjoy the fun that is different from other hot spring amusement areas.

Sinheungsa Temple

Enter Seoraksan National Park, walk for about 3 minutes, and you will arrive at Sinheungsa Temple. Sinheungsa Temple was built by the monk Jajang (590–658), who traveled to famous mountains across the country, and was originally named Xiangji Temple. It has been damaged and rebuilt many times since. Sinheungsa Temple is very popular and a must-visit for those coming to Seoraksan. On the way to Sinheungsa Temple, there is a huge bronze seated Buddha statue, which is located on a wide granite platform and is over 10m tall. Turn right after passing the Buddha statue, and you will find a newly built suspension bridge over the stream. After crossing the bridge, there is the Cheonwangmun Gate on the side of a long stone wall, which leads into the temple. On both sides of the entrance are huge statues of the Four Heavenly Kings (Dhṛtarāṣṭra holding a sword, Vaiśravaṇa holding a pipa, Virūpākṣa holding a pagoda, and Virūḍhaka holding a dragon). The Buddha statues at Sinheungsa Temple were established when Seonjeongsa Temple was founded, including statues of Maitreya Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, which were carved directly by Master Uisang. It also retains buildings constructed at that time, such as the Dharma Hall, Chongsheng Temple-Main Shrine Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, Bojeru Pavilion, and Chilseonggak Hall, as well as the Three-story Stone Pagoda at the Hyangseongsa Temple Site, which is Treasure No. 443. In addition, you can go up along the wall from Sinheungsa Temple to reach Ulsanbawi Rock.

Naksansa Sea Guanyin Statue

Oeongchi Bada Hyangiro Trail

Oeongchi Bada Hyangirois a picturesque coastline known for its spectacular ocean views and charming natural scenery."Oeongchi Bada"means"Osaek Mineral Spring ocean"in Korean, as the seawater here displays various colors, including blue, green, and purple, depending on the weather and season. This colorful ocean view offers an incredible visual experience. Besides the beautiful ocean,Oeongchi Bada Hyangiroalso boasts a series of charming natural landscapes. You can enjoy spectacular cliffs, unique rock formations, and stretches of sandy beaches. It is also an ideal spot for watching the sunrise and sunset, with many visitors coming every day to witness this spectacular sight. In short,Oeongchi Bada Hyangirois a charming attraction in Gangwon State, South Korea, loved by visitors for its colorful ocean views and spectacular natural scenery. If you are traveling in Gangwon State, do not miss this unforgettable place.

Naksan Beach

Naksan Beach is one of the three largest beaches on the east coast of South Korea. It opened to the public in 1963 and attracts a large number of tourists every summer. The white sand field here is surrounded by lush pine forests, and the water is not deep, which is very suitable as a beach. There are also sightseeing spots such as Naksansa Temple and Uisangdae among the famous Eight Views of Kanto. It only takes ten minutes to drive to Seorak Mountain, which is very convenient.