Sokcho Travel Guide

Sokcho is a small coastal city of around 80,000 people at the northern end of South Korea’s east coast in Gangwon Province, close to the border with North Korea. Its primary draw is serving as the gateway to Seoraksan National Park — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most visited national parks in South Korea. The park’s granite peaks, valley forests, and Buddhist temples make it the strongest reason to visit this part of the country.

The town itself is modest in scale but has a working fishing harbour, a lagoon coastline, and a relaxed atmosphere. It functions well as a base for two to three days of park exploration.

Getting to Sokcho

From Seoul: Express buses from Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam) to Sokcho Bus Terminal take around 2.5 hours. Services run frequently, especially on weekends. This is the standard route.

Via Gangneung: If arriving by KTX to Gangneung, express buses connect Gangneung to Sokcho in about 1.5 hours. This allows a combined east coast trip.

Getting around: City buses connect the bus terminal to Seoraksan National Park entrance (about 20 minutes). Taxis are inexpensive and practical for getting between areas. The lagoon and harbour areas are walkable from central accommodation.

Seoraksan National Park

The park covers 398 square kilometres of the Taebaek mountain range, with the highest peak, Daecheongbong, reaching 1,708 metres. The Outer Seorak (Oeseorak) section near Sokcho is more accessible and more visited; Inner Seorak (Naeseorak) is wilder and requires more commitment.

Biryong Falls trail — a flat 3 km walk through a forest valley to a waterfall, suitable for all fitness levels. The trailhead is inside the park entrance. One of the most visited short routes.

Ulsanbawi Rock — a distinctive cluster of six granite columns near the park entrance visible from the cable car. The hiking trail to the base takes 2–3 hours return and involves a steep section with metal stairs. The views from the top are among the most photographed in the park.

Cable car (Seorak Cable Car) — runs from the park entrance area to a ridge at around 700 metres, with views of the surrounding peaks. Queues can be long in peak season; arriving early is advisable.

Sinheungsa Temple — an ancient Buddhist temple within the park grounds, reachable by a 30-minute walk from the entrance. The approach passes a large bronze Buddha statue. The current temple buildings are 17th century reconstructions; the site dates to the 7th century.

Daecheongbong summit — the main peak, accessible via several multi-hour hiking routes. Most day hikers tackle this via the Osaek route on the Inner Seorak side; the approach from Sokcho requires an overnight stay at the mountain shelter (reservation required).

Where to Stay

The area around the Seoraksan park entrance (Seorak-dong) has a cluster of hotels and guesthouses, convenient for early park access. The Sokcho Beach and lagoon area has a wider range of accommodation at different price points. Booking well ahead is essential for autumn foliage season (mid-October to early November) — accommodation fills rapidly.

Food and Drink

Sokcho’s harbour area has seafood restaurants serving local catches from the East Sea. The city’s signature dish is an order of fresh ojingeo (squid) — grilled, raw, or in various preparations. Dakgangjeong (crispy sweet fried chicken) is a local street food sold near the bus terminal area that has spread to wider Korean food culture.

Abai Village, a small community on the lagoon connected by a hand-pulled ferry, has restaurants serving dishes associated with North Korean refugee communities who settled here after the Korean War. Sundae (blood sausage) and ojingeo-sundae (squid stuffed with rice and vegetables) are specialities here.

For guided hiking and outdoor experiences in Seoraksan, booking ahead is recommended for peak season.

Explore Sokcho in Detail

• Things to do in Sokcho — Seoraksan National Park, Abai Village, Cheongchoho Lake, and snow crab season
• Where to stay in Sokcho — near the park entrance, Sokcho Beach, and Cheongchoho Lake compared
• Best hotels in Sokcho — upscale mountain resorts, beachside pensions, and hiker guesthouses with prices
• Sokcho food guide — squid sundae, snow crab, grilled eel at Abai Village, and East Sea seafood