Things to Do in Gangwon

Located in Sokcho City in South Korea’s Gangwon Province, the Sokcho Jungang Market is a quintessential Korean market specializing in fish, chicken and fresh fruits. Locals come to shop for groceries, and even if you’re not planning to cook, the market is an entertaining place for a stroll. The seafood section of the market teems with live aquatic critters in large fish tanks, making it akin to a free aquarium, and the variety of fruits on offer are inexpensive and great to take back to the hotel for breakfast or a snack.

While most people come to Sokcho Jungang Market to shop, the typical traveler comes to eat. The market food stalls have earned a drool-worthy reputation for their mansuk, a traditional local dish made by deep-frying chicken and tossing it in a sweet and spicy sauce. Some two dozen of these stalls occupy the market, and while they might all look the same at first glance, the ones with the longer lines are usually the best bets.

This half-moon-shaped island in the southwest of Chuncheon served as a setting in the popular Korean TV drama Winter Sonata. Namiseom offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Seoul with facilities for bike riding, ziplining, camping, and boating. The island’s redwoods, ginkgos, and pines offer a habitat for roaming deer and waterfowl.

 

Thanks to its scenic beauty and cultural significance, Nami Island has become one of the most popular day trip destinations from Seoul. An entrance ticket to the island includes round-trip transportation on the ferry from Gapyeong Wharf.

 

Many day trips to the island also include a visit to Petite France, a cultural village that looks like it belongs in the Piedmont Alps. Tours might also include stops at the Garden of the Morning Calm or the Elysian Ski Resort, depending on the season.

 

 

The easiest way to reach the island is to take the train from Chuncheon to Gapyeong (about a 20-minute ride) and then walk to the wharf where you can catch a ferry to the island.

 

The island attracts visitors year-round, with each season having its own appeal. Spring brings cherry blossoms (typically during the month of April), and the island is lush and green during summer. It’s a popular place for leaf peeping come autumn, while couples come in winter to experience the snow-covered landscape as seen in Winter Sonata.

 

Nami Island, which is perhaps best known for its tree-lined lanes, is undeniably photogenic. The Central Korean Pine Tree Lane, which leads through the center of the island, is a must-visit. In autumn, yellow-covered leaves make Ginkgo Tree Lane particularly scenic, while the towering redwoods of Metasequoia Lane, stunning throughout the year, are worth visiting. If you’re a fan of Korean dramas, be sure to visit the Winter Sonata Statue in Gongsaengwon Garden.