When thinking of a quick escape from Seoul, my research always pointed to Gangwon, specifically Sokcho. Planning an autumn trip? Seoraksan National Park is a must! So, Sokcho made it to my itinerary, and I planned to spend four days soaking in its beauty.
GETTING TO SOCKCHO FROM SEOUL
Sokcho is a coastal city on South Korea’s east coast, offering a perfect blend of mountain terrain and ocean views – a nature lover’s paradise!
Getting there is straightforward with a direct bus from Seoul, taking about two hours. Book your ticket a day in advance to avoid surprises.
Pro tip: I learned the hard way that traveling on a Friday meant a bus surge – locals also flock to climb Seoraksan! I ended up taking an alternative route through another city.
I took a premium bus to Gangneung then from Gangneung, I took the first bus to Sokcho
Because all of the buses going to Sokcho was fully booked that day, after a lot of google searches I decided to book a bus to the closest city around Sokcho which is Gangneung. From Gangneung, I got the next available bus to Sokcho. But if you plan your trip ahead, you can get a direct but from Seoul to Sokcho.
Buses in Korea are punctual, and the ride felt almost like business class. After a smooth journey and a quick lunch, I finally reached Sokcho in the late afternoon.
WHERE I STAYED IN SOKCHO
I booked a private room at With U Hotel and Guesthouse. Conveniently located right across the bus station, it was the perfect spot. The hotel was filled with groups gearing up to hike Seoraksan. The receptionist was incredibly helpful, even lending me a Lonely Planet guidebook (which I cheekily asked to keep).
THINGS TO DO IN SOKCHO
1. Hike Seoraksan
Hiking Seoraksan is a top reason why people, especially locals, visit Sokcho. Famous for its stunning fall foliage, it’s a hiker’s dream. From my hotel, the National Park was just a bus ride away. I met two Germans at the bus stop, and we decided to hike together. We chose an easier trail featuring a suspension bridge, a waterfall snack break, and a summit with an amazing view.
Feeling adventurous, I later tackled the more challenging Ulsanbawi Trail. It was tough, but the stepped pathways made it manageable – just a lot of steps! Remember to wear appropriate clothing, bring snacks, and plenty of water.
2 . Walk by the Beach
My first stroll around Sokcho led me to a nearby beach. Even at night, the beach was lively with locals enjoying busking. I returned after my Seoraksan hike to explore more.
The beach was bustling, even on a cold morning, and it’s a fantastic spot for sunrise views. I found a café with a balcony overlooking the ocean – perfect for soaking up the sun and scenery.
3 Explore Abai Village
A walk from the beach, Abai Village is a unique neighborhood with North Korean heritage. Settled by refugees during the Korean War, it’s now famous for its rows of restaurants.
Abai Village is "very instagrammable". With cute restaurants and colorful traditional houses, it is a feast to the eyes. Aside from this, it is situated along the coastline with a beautiful view of the ocean. Althought I didnt do, but I can imagine myself getting a takeaway, and just sit down by the beach and just enjoy the view
I was overwhelmed with so many restaurant choices. Aside from many of the establishments offering almost the same dishes, a lot of them as well have posters of TV shows where they got featured.
I picked a cozy spot with friendly ajummas (village ladies) who helped me order and even taught me how to eat my meal properly. It was a delightful local experience.
4. Visit Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market
From Abai Village, I walked (a longer route, but hey, I love walking in new cities) to the Tourist and Fishery Market. I later discovered a shortcut with a ferry crossing, famously featured in a Kdrama.
The market was bustling with fresh seafood and street food stalls. I tried some local specialties and even stood in line for a popular treat that turned out to be like Filipino puto (steamed rice cake).
Other Activities
While I couldn’t do everything, here are more Sokcho highlights:
- Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion
- Yeongnangho Lake
SOKCHO FOOD ADVENTURES
I frequently visited a nearby restaurant serving Sokcho’s must-try dish, Ojingeo Soondae (squid blood sausage).
It’s a local twist on sundae, born from wartime ingredient swaps. On my first night, I devoured a whole plate and loved every bite.
Another specialty is Abai Sundae, a North Korean blood sausage with glutinous rice, liver, meat, and cabbage. I sampled this at the fish market and enjoyed a comforting beef soup post-hike and a refreshing cold noodle soup in Abai Village.
Visiting Sokcho was a fantastic decision. It gave me my first glimpse of a city outside Seoul, and the experience was nothing short of delightful.
Whether you plan to do a day trip or spend a few days in the city, I highly recommend adding Sokcho in your South Korea tour.
I can’t wait to return and explore more of Gangwon-do.
Note:
*Some of the links in the blog are affiliate links which help me keep this blog running. If you support and use these links, I will appreciate it so much.
*Accommodations are based only on the ones I used. These are budget hotels, hostels, and guesthouses, and the prices are fairly reasonable for what they offer. Most of these accommodations are located in town centers and are accessible to bus stations and train stations, which were the criteria for my chosen lodging.
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