Sokcho vs Gangneung: Which East Coast City to Visit?

The Korean east coast (Gangwon Province) holds two cities worth stopping for - Sokcho to the north and Gangneung to the south. Most travellers take the KTX from Seoul to Gangneung and never make it to Sokcho, which is understandable given that Sokcho has no train connection. But the extra planning required for Sokcho pays off: Seoraksan National Park is one of the finest mountain landscapes in the country, and Abai Village is a piece of living Korean history that belongs on the itinerary of anyone seriously interested in Korean culture.

At a Glance

Factor	Sokcho	Gangneung
Best for	Seoraksan hiking, crab, Abai Village	KTX access, Gyeongpo Beach, coffee street
Daily budget (mid-range)	90,000–140,000 KRW	95,000–150,000 KRW
From Seoul	Express bus ~2h 30min, from 18,000 KRW	KTX ~1h 45min, from 27,600 KRW
Between cities	Bus ~1 hour, ~4,500–6,000 KRW	Same
Key nature sight	Seoraksan National Park	Gyeongpo Lake, Jeongdongjin cliffs
Food highlight	Daege (snow crab), Abai sundae	Chodang sundubu, Jumunjin fish market

Quick verdict: Gangneung is the easier choice - the KTX makes it a realistic day trip from Seoul, and it has enough to fill two to three days. Sokcho rewards more effort with mountain scenery and seafood that Gangneung cannot match. Visit both if you have three or more nights on the east coast.

Sokcho: Gateway to Seoraksan

Sokcho’s biggest asset is its location. Seoraksan National Park - a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of Korea’s most ecologically significant mountain areas - begins at the city’s edge. The jagged granite peaks visible from anywhere in town provide the kind of constant visual presence that shapes a city’s identity.

The Sogongwon area (outer Seoraksan) has trails that range from an easy walk to Bisundae Shelter to demanding routes up Daecheongbong, the park’s highest peak at 1,708 metres. A cable car provides access to a ridge viewpoint for visitors who prefer not to hike, reaching an elevation of 840 metres in about five minutes.

Abai Village is a community established by North Korean refugees who settled near Sokcho during the 1950–53 war, unable to return home when the armistice drew the border. A hand-pulled ferry still crosses the narrow waterway to the village - an image that has become one of the defining photographs of divided Korea. The village’s food speciality, sundae (blood sausage stuffed with glass noodles), differs in style from the Seoul version and is worth seeking out at the market stalls inside.

The Sokcho seafood market near the port sells live daege (snow crab), gejang (raw crab marinated in soy), and ojingeo (squid) in abundance. Buying crab at the market and having it prepared at an attached restaurant is one of the most satisfying meals on the east coast.

Where to Stay in Sokcho

• Lotte Resort Sokcho - from approximately 180,000 KRW per night, the city’s premium resort option with ocean views
• Hanwha Resort Seoraksan - from approximately 150,000 KRW, near the national park entrance
• Sokcho Beach Hotel - from approximately 90,000 KRW, mid-range seafront option
• Cozy Sokcho Guesthouse - from approximately 40,000 KRW per room, popular with backpackers and hikers

Where to Eat in Sokcho

• Abai Village market stalls - Abai sundae from approximately 5,000–7,000 KRW per portion
• Sokcho Jungang Market - fresh daege (snow crab) prepared at market restaurants from approximately 25,000–45,000 KRW per crab (seasonal; best October–January)
• Daepohang Port restaurants - ojingeo (grilled whole squid) from approximately 10,000–15,000 KRW
• Seoraksan restaurants (near cable car) - doenjang jjigae and mountain herbs bibimbap from around 12,000–15,000 KRW

Gangneung: Coffee, Coast, and Sundubu

Gangneung became nationally prominent in 2018 when it hosted the coastal events of the Winter Olympics, but its identity as a travel destination is older than that. The city has been known for Chodang sundubu - a silky tofu made using East Sea seawater rather than freshwater - since at least the 17th century, when the Chodang neighbourhood is said to have perfected the recipe.

Gyeongpo Beach stretches for six kilometres along the East Sea with a pine forest buffer and the adjacent Gyeongpo Lake - a lagoon used for kayaking and sunrise photography that draws visitors year-round. The beach itself becomes genuinely crowded in July and August; visiting in spring or autumn gives you the coastline without the beachfront congestion.

Gangneung Coffee Street (Anmok Beach) emerged organically as local roasters opened cafes near the ocean, and has developed into a genuine coffee destination - over 350 cafes in a city of 200,000 people, with several roasters now distributing nationally. Walking the coffee street at dawn, with the East Sea in front and a locally roasted flat white in hand, is one of the more pleasant ways to spend a morning in Korea.

Jeongdongjin is a small village south of Gangneung with a railway station literally on the beachfront - one of the world’s most photographed train stations - and Moana Resort’s “Ship of Jeongdongjin,” a large ship-shaped hotel perched on a cliff. Sunrise here is something of a national pilgrimage on New Year’s Day.

Where to Stay in Gangneung

• Sun Cruise Resort (Jeongdongjin) - from approximately 170,000 KRW per night, the famous ship hotel
• Seamarq Hotel (Gyeongpo Beach) - from approximately 200,000 KRW, contemporary design hotel on the beachfront
• Daemyung Vivaldi Park Ocean World - from approximately 120,000 KRW, large resort with water park
• Gangneung Station Guesthouse - from approximately 45,000 KRW per room, convenient for KTX arrivals

Where to Eat in Gangneung

• Chodang Sundubu Village - tofu set meals from approximately 9,000–13,000 KRW, several competing restaurants on the same street
• Jumunjin Fish Market - fresh sashimi (hoe) from approximately 25,000–40,000 KRW for two
• Anmok Beach cafes - specialty coffee from approximately 7,000–10,000 KRW per cup
• Gyeongpo Beach haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) stalls - from approximately 12,000–15,000 KRW

Getting Between Sokcho and Gangneung

Direct buses run frequently between Gangneung Express Bus Terminal and Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. Journey time is approximately 1 hour. Fares are around 4,500–6,000 KRW. Buses depart approximately every 30–60 minutes throughout the day.

A rental car gives more flexibility for exploring the coastal road between the two cities - including Naksan Beach, Naksan Temple (perched above the sea), and the fishing ports along the way. The drive takes about 1 hour 15 minutes without stops.

Season Recommendations

Spring (April–May): Azaleas on Seoraksan, mild temperatures, and smaller crowds in both cities. Best for hiking. Autumn (September–November): Peak foliage season on Seoraksan (peak typically mid-October), excellent seafood season for crab in Sokcho. Summer: Gyeongpo and Sokcho beaches are packed; expect very high accommodation prices in July and August. Winter: Cold but manageable; skiing at Yongpyong Ski Resort (40 minutes from Gangneung) and Alpensia are good reasons to visit.

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Explore Each City

• Sokcho travel guide - Seoraksan National Park, Abai Village, and the east coast seafood scene
• Sokcho things to do - hiking routes, cable car, and Ulsanbawi Rock with timings
• Gangneung travel guide - Gyeongpo Beach, Anmok Coffee Street, and the 2018 Olympic sites
• Ski resorts in South Korea - Yongpyong, High1, and Vivaldi Park with lift pass prices and transport from Seoul