Gangneung: Gyeongpo Beach, Ojukheon & Anmok Coffee Street

Gangneung is a city of around 210,000 people on the east coast of South Korea in Gangwon Province, facing the East Sea (Sea of Japan). It is known for its long beaches, a cluster of Joseon-era Confucian buildings, and an unexpected café culture that has made the Anmok Beach area one of the most discussed coffee destinations in the country.

The city gained national attention as the coastal hub for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics ice events, which accelerated rail infrastructure development and brought Gangneung within 2 hours of Seoul by KTX. That investment in transport means Gangneung is now one of the most accessible weekend escapes from the capital for east coast beaches.

Getting to Gangneung

From Seoul: KTX runs directly from Seoul Station to Gangneung Station in approximately 2 hours; fares start from around ₩27,600 one-way. Services run multiple times daily. Booking in advance on the Korail website or app is strongly recommended for Friday evenings and holiday weekends when trains sell out.

By bus: Express buses from Seoul’s Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Express Bus Terminal take 2.5–3 hours and cost approximately ₩14,000–16,000. Buses serve more drop-off points within the city and can be a better option if you are heading directly to the beach area.

From Sokcho: Express buses connect Sokcho and Gangneung in around 1.5 hours (approximately ₩7,000). Many east coast itineraries combine the two cities.

Getting around: The main beaches (Gyeongpo, Anmok), heritage sites, and the Chodang tofu village are spread across several kilometres. Local buses connect most points; the Anmok coffee street is about 15 minutes by bus from Gangneung Station. Taxis are inexpensive for shorter hops - ₩8,000–12,000 covers most city journeys. Bicycle rental is available near Gyeongpo Beach for around ₩5,000–10,000 per hour.

Neighbourhoods and Areas

Gyeongpo/Anmok Beach strip - the coastal zone about 6–7 km northeast of the station, where the main beach, Gyeongpoho Lake, and the coffee street are concentrated. Most guesthouses and pensions catering to younger visitors are here.

Chodang-dong - a neighbourhood north of the beach area known for its sundubu restaurants and a quieter residential feel. Worth a specific trip for the tofu; less interesting to stay in overnight.

Central Gangneung (around the station) - the city’s commercial and transport hub, with good value accommodation and convenient bus connections across the city.

Jumunjin - a fishing port about 15 km north with a large fish market and a more working-harbour atmosphere than the beach strip.

What to See and Do

Gyeongpo Beach and Gyeongpoho Lake - the main beach stretches for about 6 km along the coast, backed by a pine forest. Behind it, the brackish Gyeongpoho Lake provides a quieter landscape for cycling and walking. The Gyeongpodae pavilion sits on the lake’s western shore with views across the water - one of Korea’s traditional “eight scenic views”. Beach access is free; bicycle rental around the lake costs from ₩5,000 per hour.

Anmok Beach Coffee Street - a 1 km stretch of road along the coast lined almost entirely with independent cafés, most with ocean views. Around 100 cafés operate here, ranging from third-wave specialty roasters to casual dessert shops. The area developed organically from the 1990s. Busy on weekends year-round and especially in summer. Coffees typically cost ₩5,000–8,000; most cafés have large windows facing the sea.

Ojukheon House - the birthplace of Shin Saimdang, the 16th-century artist who appears on the ₩50,000 note, and her son Yi I, the Confucian philosopher on the ₩5,000 note. The wooden house is one of the oldest surviving residential buildings in South Korea, set in manicured grounds with a notable black bamboo grove. Entry is approximately ₩3,000 for adults.

Seongyojang House - a large aristocratic Joseon-era villa maintained by descendants of the original family. The compound includes a central reception hall, a lotus pond, and a guest pavilion built directly over the water - an arrangement rarely seen preserved intact. Entry is approximately ₩5,000.

Jeongdongjin - a small coastal settlement about 18 km south of Gangneung, known for the Morae Sija clock tower and the sight of the썬크루즈 hotel - a full-sized cruise ship permanently installed on a clifftop overlooking the sea. The area is a popular sunrise-watching spot; domestic visitors sometimes time overnight trains to arrive at first light. A local bus from Gangneung Station serves the area.

Where to Stay in Gangneung

The beach and coffee street area suits those prioritising beach access and the coastal atmosphere. The city centre near the station offers more budget options and better bus connections. For accommodation options across all budgets, see our Gangneung hotels guide.

Best Time to Visit

Summer (July–August) is peak beach season - crowded, warm, and expensive. Gyeongpo Beach fills with domestic tourists on weekends. Autumn (September–November) brings cooler temperatures, thinner crowds, and clear skies - the best season for the heritage sites and cycling around the lake. Spring is pleasant and relatively uncrowded. Winter is cold (average January lows around -5°C) but the coastal scenery and deserted beaches have their own appeal, and accommodation prices drop significantly.

Food and Drink

Chodang sundubu - silken tofu made using seawater from the Chodang neighbourhood, served in set meals (sundubu jjigae, tofu with kimchi and rice) for approximately ₩10,000–15,000 per person. The texture is notably lighter than standard tofu. A cluster of family-run tofu restaurants operates on the Chodang tofu village strip; lunch queues are common on weekends.

Jumunjin fish market - one of the larger fish markets on the east coast, about 15 km north of central Gangneung. Fresh hoe (raw sliced fish), grilled eel, and live seafood are sold directly from stalls. Best visited in the morning when the day’s catch is freshest.

Gamja-ongsimi - a Gangwon Province specialty: potato dumplings made from grated raw potato dough, served in a vegetable broth. Earthy and filling, available at market stalls and traditional restaurants across the city for around ₩8,000–10,000.

For tours and activities on the Gangwon coast, including surf lessons and coastal hiking, see east coast experiences.

Explore Gangneung in Detail

• Things to do in Gangneung - Gyeongpodae Pavilion, Jeongdongjin, surfing, and the Danoje Festival with entry fees and opening times
• Best hotels in Gangneung - Pullman to beachside pensions, with prices across every budget
• Gangneung food guide - soondubu jjigae, Chodang Tofu Village, Anmok Coffee Street, and gamja-ongsimi

Planning to visit the east coast and weighing up where to spend your time? Our Sokcho vs Gangneung comparison covers Seoraksan access versus KTX convenience, coffee culture, and how to combine both cities in a single trip.

For the practical details, see our guide to day trips from Gangneung.