Are you planning a trip to Sokcho? Get ready for a fantastic adventure! Sokcho is a charming coastal city in South Korea, famous for its stunning beaches and fresh seafood. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the East Sea and explore Seoraksan National Park for some amazing hiking trails. Don’t forget to try the local delicacies like raw fish (hoe) and squid sundae. Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Sokcho!

 

Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory (속초등대전망대)

Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory, the first of the eight scenic spots in Sokcho. It is a lighthouse that has illuminated the sea at night since the past, and is currently a coastal viewing spot open to tourists as an observatory. If you climb up here, you can see the open Sokcho sea at a glance.

You can take great photos with the wing-shaped photo zone installed at the observatory and the ocean scenery in the background. In addition, another attraction of this place is enjoying a walk along the deck path while admiring the seascape seen between the trees.

 

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

Cheongho-dong, Sokcho-si, was a sandy land where few people lived. During the Korean War, displaced people from the North gathered together on empty sandy land and formed a settlement. And it came to be called Abai Village. It became famous a long time ago thanks to the main characters passing each other on a Gatboat(Small boat in korean) in the drama <Autumn Fairy Tale>. Also as Abai Village was introduced in the entertainment program <2 Days & 1 Night>, the number of people visiting the village increased.

There is a sea between Jungang-dong in downtown Sokcho and Cheongho-dong, also known as Abai Village. So a boat is used to cross the waterway. The Gaetbae(Small boat) is moved only by human power by pulling the rope. Elderly people who have lived nearby for a long time start pulling the rope with skill as soon as you board the boat. Only by helping each other can people cross the waterway with ease.

Inside the alleys of Abai Village, there are many restaurants for displaced people selling Abai sundae and squid sundae(오징어 순대). There is also a newly built Abai Sundae Town near the Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market.

 

Yeonggeumjeong (영금정)

Yeonggeumjeong is the spot where Seoraksan Mountain meets the sea. It is a rocky location with enormous and wide rocks along the coast. The sound of waves smashing against the cliffs here is as soothing as the sound of a harp, making it an ideal spot to appreciate the pristine sea. The morning pavilion, located at the end of the overpass facing the sea, is a popular sunrise destination that attracts a large number of people each year. Climb to the top of the maritime pavilion for a better view of the sunrise over the sea.

 

Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market (속초관광수산시장)

Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market is one of the top ten K-Tourism Markets chosen by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. You may buy a selection of unique products and fresh seafood from the East Coast. You can also discover a variety of cuisine options, including Sokcho’s famous chicken gangjeong, snow crab, and squid sundae.

Furthermore, modernization efforts such as parking lot upkeep and awning installation allow visitors to experience the market in a lively and comfortable setting, making it a must-see destination for tourists. Enjoy a wonderful holiday by trying Sokcho’s famous dishes.

 

Heundeulbawi (흔들바위)

Heungbawi Rock is located on Wauam Rock at the foot of Seoraksan Mountain. It is at the end of the rock, also called the dining arm, as it is large enough for about 100 people to eat together. The sight of a ball-shaped rock standing precariously at the edge of a cliff is quite impressive, and the reason why Heungbawi Rock is so famous is because of this dangerous scene where it looks as if it will fall if you even touch it.

Every year on April Fool’s Day, there are rumors that the Rock of Seorak Mountain has fallen, but it still remains firmly in place.

To get to the rock, you have to step up a bit. It is about 3km from the Seorak Oxygen Park parking lot to Heunbawi Rock. It’s quite a long distance, but except for the last 600m of the mountain road, most of the rest is gently flat. The cool valley that keeps you company throughout the walk and the picturesque appearance of Ulsan Rock are also indispensable to the charm of this road.
If you are curious about how to get from downtown Sokcho to Seoraksan Mountain, please refer to this article.

The round rock located here and there on the cliff at the entrance to Gyejoam Rock is Seoraksan Rock. It really was hanging precariously over the edge of a cliff, as if someone had placed it there on purpose. There is no way someone could have brought this huge rock here. Rock Rock is the result of the weathering process we learned about in school.

A huge block of granite created by a volcanic eruption has been carved away by wind and rain over a long period of time. Leaving only the core stone in the center. The core stone separated from the bedrock through weathering, like the rock on Seorak Mountain, is called a tor.

 

Sokcho Beach (속초 해수욕장)

Sokcho Beach is a 10-minute drive from downtown Sokcho, and it is about 300 meters from the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal to the entrance to Sokcho Beach, making it a beach easy to visit by many travelers. There are many delicious restaurants and various lodging facilities along the coast, so there is a constant flow of visitors all year round.

There are eye-catching sculptures lined up against the backdrop of the blue sea, making it a great feeling to take a commemorative photo of your trip to Sokcho. The sunrise rising over the round island is also famous.
Between Sokcho Beach in the north and Oeongchi Beach in the south, a 1km long white sandy beach and a pine grove, the floor has been maintained and clean toilets have been built, making it a perfect open tourist destination.