Sokcho City
Sokcho City (속초시; map) is Gangwon State’s smallest city, nestled between Goseong and Yangyang County’s along Korea’s east coast. Positioned between the Taebaek Mountains and the East Sea, it offers a varied landscape. Koreas often referred to Sokcho as the gateway to Seoraksan National Park, which houses famed temples and peaks. The city also draws tourists for its rich seafood offerings and coastal attractions.
- Population: 82,054 (145th out of 232)
- Size: 105.77 km² (151st out of 232)
- Density: 775.85 people per km²
Sokcho city is home to unique landmarks such as the Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory, offering breathtaking views of Geumgang Mountain, and the Yeongnang Lake. Cultural gems like the Hakmu Pavilion, nestled in the pine forests along the Ssang Stream, and the historical Seorak Sunrise Park, add to the city’s charm. City’s other coastal lake, Cheongcho, with its iconic Expo Tower, offers stunning night views.
Tourism thrives alongside Sokcho’s fishing. Koreans know the city for restaurant hotspots like Daepo Port and Oeongchi Port. There tourists can try the city’s venerated red crab meat and raw fish soup. Other coastal gems, like Jo Island and Abai Village, which was a town setup for North Korean refugees, attract visitors as well.
Coastal Sokcho
Nestled along the East Sea, Sokcho City’s coast is a blend of lakes, shores, and ports, which serves as a hub for Sokcho’s robust fishing industry, tourism, and maritime activities.
One of Sokcho’s most prominent features is its two coastal lakes, Cheongcho and Yeongnang.
- Cheongcho Lake (청초호; map; Cheongchoho), located in the heart of Sokcho City, is a large natural lagoon spanning 879,863 square meters. Once serving as a naval base during the Joseon Dynasty, today Cheongcho Lake functions as part of Sokcho Port, linking the city to the East Sea. The park surrounding the lake is popular for its walking paths and panoramic views from the waterside Expo Tower. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching and lake cruises.
- Yeongnang Lake (영랑호; map; Yeongnangho), located 8 kilometers from downtown Sokcho, is 1.2 square kilometer coastal lagoon. Known for its tranquil atmosphere, the lake’s name derives from a story about an ancient Silla warrior so transfixed by the lake’s beauty, he forgot to attend his training. Today, Yeongnang Lake holds walking and bike paths, cherry blossoms in spring, and Beom Rock, which resembles a crouching tiger.
Abai Village (아바이마을; map) is a small island at the mouth of Cheongcho Lake in downtown Sokcho City. After the Korean War (1950 ~ 53), people from Hamgyeong Province settled it in North Korea. The village’s name translates to “an elderly man” in North Korean dialect. Today, Abai Village stands as a living museum, preserving the cultural heritage and cuisine of its original settlers. It’s a place where traditional North Korean dishes meld with local seafood, offering a distinct culinary experience.
Sokcho Ports
Sokcho’s ports are key to its maritime heritage:
- Daepo Port (대포항; map): Once more prominent than Sokcho Port, Daepo Port on the bottom border of Sokcho City is a hub for fishing and seafood dining. Its unique circular harbor design sports an array of seafood restaurants. A hilltop observatory near the port provides panoramic views of the East Sea.
- Sokcho Port (속초항; map): In the heart of downtown Sokcho, Sokcho Port is essential for international passenger travel and cruise operations. Seated near Cheongcho Lake, it is a gateway for transportation.
- Jangsa Port (장사항; map): Established in 2004, Jangsa Port is known for its abundance of seafood restaurants, particularly those serving squid. It hosts several seafood festivals.
Food
Sokcho City’s culinary landscape foreground seafood. Its dishes blend traditional Korean flavors with local ingredients. Let’s taste some Sokcho delicacies.
- Hongge Jjim (홍게찜; steamed red crab): Renowned for its sweet, tender flesh, Hongge Jjim is often served with fried rice or ramen. Prices start from ₩35,000 to ₩50,000.
- Ojingeo Sundae (오징어순대; squid blood sausage) & Abai Sundae (아바이순대; Abai Village blood sausage): These traditional Korean blood sausages stuffed with sticky rice and vegetables, offering a unique blend of flavors and textures.
- Mulhoe (물회; cold raw fish soup): A refreshing Sokcho specialty, Mulhoe features thinly sliced raw fish in a chilled, tangy broth made from plum extract and pear juice, often enjoyed with noodles or rice.
- Saengseon Gui (생선구이; grilled fish): Locally caught fish, grilled over charcoal or wood. Each restaurant presents its unique sauce and grilling method.
- Saengseon Jjim (생선찜; braised fish): This traditional dish, using flounder or pollock, is braised with radish and rice cakes in a savory sauce, emphasizing natural flavors.
- Gomchiguk (곰치국; fish soup): A regional favorite. This soup features a fish known for its soft, jelly-like texture, served hot in a spicy and rich broth.
- Myeongtae Hoe Naengmyeon (명태회냉면; pollock sashimi cold noodles): A Sokcho dish combining pollock sashimi with cold noodles, offering a refreshing flavor.
- Makguksu (막국수; buckwheat noodles): Served in a chilled broth or mixed with a spicy sauce, these noodles are often accompanied by side dishes like Korean pancakes or pork belly.
- Dochi Jjigae (도치찌개; fish stew): This stew, made from a fish called Dochi, is known for its soft and chewy texture. It’s prepared with various seasonings and vegetables.
- Fried chicken, Shrimp Tempura (새우튀김), and Red Crab Croquette (대게 크로켓) are popular snacks in Sokcho, ideal for a light meal or with a beer. Each offers a unique taste and is widely available in the city.
Sokcho City boasts an array of picturesque locations. From serene lakes and historic observatories to majestic mountains and vibrant islands, Sokcho’s Eight Scenic Sights encapsulate the essence of the region.
- Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory (속초 등대전망대; map) was originally just a lighthouse. Workers transformed it into a panoramic observatory open to the public, offering unrivaled views of the surrounding landscape.
- Beom Rock (범바위; map; Beombawi) on Yeongnang Lake: Beom rock has been famous for centuries. Resembling a crouching tiger, it hangs over the tranquil waters of Yeongnang Lake. The lake’s name originates during the Silla Dynasty when a warrior, captivated by its waters, missed his training. Visitors can also visit the Yeongnang Pavilion, established in 2005, and view the area from above.
- Cheongdae Mountain (청대산; map; Cheongdaesan): This 230-meter tall high mountain is known for its green pine forest. It offers panoramic views of downtown Sokcho, the East Sea sunrise, and a close view of Seoraksan Mountain, including peaks like Daecheong and Dalma.
- Cheongcho Lake (청초호; map; Cheongchoho): Also known as Ssangseongho and Jinseongho, this lake measures 5 kilometers in circumference and resembles a tipped over spirits jar. It rests in the heart of downtown Sokcho near Abai Village and Sokcho Port. The 73.4-meter tall Expo Tower beside the lake provides stunning night views.
- Jo Island (조도; map; Jodo): Known as the Island of the Birds, Jodo Island is a small, uninhabited island in the East Sea 400 meters from the coast of Sokcho City. Visitors can view the island from Sokcho Beach.
- Oeongchi (외옹치항; map): A port, beach, and recently opened coastal trail claim the name Oeongchi near Daepo Port on the coast of Sokcho. The port has long been famed for its seafood market. The Oeongchi Sea Fragrance Trail offers a 1.7 kilometer walking path along a rocky coastline.
- Seorak Sunrise Park (설악해맞이공원; map): Seorak Sunrise Park is a prime spot to witness sunrises over the East Sea. The park also features walking paths and a collection of statues, including a mermaid sculpture that tells the tale of a maiden who died of sorrow after losing her lover to the sea.
- Hakmu Pavilion (학무정; map; Hakmujeong): Built in 1934 in a pine forest near the Ssang Stream, this pavilion features a hexagonal roof and provides a quiet atmosphere, typical of traditional Korean houses.
Inland Sokcho
Inland Sokcho City offers a striking contrast to its coastal counterpart. The majestic and rugged Taebaek Mountains defined this region.
Seoraksan National Park
Central to Inland Sokcho’s appeal is Seoraksan National Park. UNESCO designated the park as a Biosphere Protection Site and encompasses the revered Seorak Mountain.
The park sports serene valleys and streams, such as the Biryong Falls and the tranquil Jujeongol Valley. These offer a network of trails and quiet forested areas. The valley’s flowing streams and diverse flora are stunning during spring’s wildflower bloom and autumn’s colorful foliage.
Ulsan Rock
Ulsan Rock (울산바위; map; Ulsanbawi) is the most celebrated piece of Seorak Mountain. Towering 900 meters above sea, this natural formation is composed of six massive, bare-faced rocks that form a 4-kilometer long circumference.
Ulsan Rock has been a source of inspiration for numerous poets and calligraphers during the Joseon period, who painted and wrote about the majestic rock. Legend has it that Ulsan Rock, being too heavy to move, missed an assembly of peaks at Geumgang Mountain. Feeling ashamed, Ulsan Rock chose to rest at Seorak Mountain.
A hiking trail starting at Sinheungsa Temple leads to its top of Ulsan Rock, and features a stunning panoramic view of Daecheong Peak and Seorak National Park. The challenging hike takes about four hours round-trip over steep, rocky terrain.
Sinheungsa Temple
Sinheungsa Temple (신흥사; map) sits was founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE ~ 935 CE). It was later reconstructed in its current location during the Joseon Dynasty when, legends tell, three of the temple’s monks dreamed of a heavenly man with white hair guiding them to this sacred site on Seorak Mountain.
Sinheungsa Temple is home to Geungnakbojeon Hall and a Three-Story Stone Pagoda brought over from Hyangseongsa Temple. The temple is a cornerstone of local spirituality and offers an immersive Temple Stay program for visitors.
