Cheongchoho Lake (청초호)

11.1Km 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 Tourist & Fishery Market (Formerly, Jungang Market) (속초 관광수산시장 (구: 중앙시장))

11.2Km 2024-12-03

12 Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-653-8433

The Sokcho Tourist Fish Market, an essential tourist attraction in Sokcho, offers all sorts of things. The market includes a large building with a basement and two floors above ground and specialized alley stores. The building consists of shops for clothes, daily necessities, and other general products; the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart; and the Raw Fish Center, which sells fresh live fish and seafood at a reasonable price. The alley market is divided into several alleyways specialized in each product such as a vegetable & fruit alley, a chili pepper alley, a blood sausage alley, a salted seafood market alley, a chicken alley, and so on. Especially, fresh agricultural and fish products, and dried seafood products will draw visitors’ attention. The chicken alley is popular among tourists with various crunchy and spicy dak gangjeong (glazed fried chicken bites) stores, which offer their own taste. The alley market has a rain protection facility and a clean and pleasant environment, and a wide parking lot for visitors’ convenience.

Sokcho Culture Center (속초문화회관)

11.2Km 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.

Kensington Resort Seorak Beach (켄싱턴리조트 설악비치)

11.3Km 2025-03-16

4800, Donghae-daero, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-631-7601

Kensington Resort Seorak Beach is surrounded by mountains and ocean as well as creeks and fields. Due to its location by the beach, visitors can enjoy the view of the ocean as well as Seoraksan Mountain in the backdrop. Visitors can play in the sand and the water at the beach in front of the resort. The rooms provide cozy yet modern feel with various concepts to meet all the needs. Subsidiary facilities include banquet hall, education classroom, seawater sauna, singing room, nightclub, local specialty store, arcade and more.

Abai Village Ferry (아바이마을 갯배)

11.3Km 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.

Seoraksan Daecheongbong Peak (설악산 대청봉)

11.3Km 2024-02-29

1 Daecheongbong-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-2883

Standing at 1,708 meters above sea level, Daecheongbong is the highest peak of Seoraksan Mountain. It is the third highest peak in South Korea, after Hallasan Mountain (1,950 meters) and Jirisan Mountain (1,915 meters). The peak is a home to a variety of alpine species, including dwarf pine, Korean rosebay, and Erman's Birch, and its summit offers breathtaking views. The shortest of Seoraksan's hiking trails is the Osaek course (Osaek-Seorak Falls-Daecheongbong), which takes about four hours.

Perfect Days (완벽한 날들)

11.4Km 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.

Dancheon Sikdang (단천식당)

11.4Km 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.

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

11.5Km 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.

Wan & Song House Restaurant (완앤송 하우스 레스토랑)

11.5Km 2024-02-16

57 Sajin 4-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Wan & Song House Restaurant, featuring a spacious garden, offers a unique fusion of Southeast Asian favorites with a Korean twist. Among its most popular dishes are sogogi ssalguksu (beef rice noodles), satae gukbap (beef shank and rice soup), noodle salad, taco rice, and Thai-style hangjeongsal deopbap (stir-fried pork neck with rice). The establishment is notable for its charming entrance, beautiful garden, and an inviting outdoor terrace. For those looking to explore the area, nearby attractions include Jangsa Port, Yeongnangho Lake, and Jangsahang Sea Forest Park.

Cheongchoho Lake (청초호) - Area information - Korea travel information