Seoraksan National Park
설악산국립공원Probably the finest park in the country: granite peaks, deep valleys, pine forests. Four main entrances depending on which sector you're after.
Local bus from Sokcho · Maps ↗
Around the country
The cities, one by one
Pick a city: you get what makes it special, how to get there from Seoul, and the places genuinely worth the trip.
Sokcho
속초A fishing port wedged between sea and mountains, and above all the best gateway to Seoraksan National Park. The Abai district, founded by North Korean refugees during the war, feels frozen in time.
Getting thereBy bus from Seoul (Gyeongbu terminal), at least two departures an hour from 6 am to 11:30 pm. Around 2 h 25 for 15,000-30,000 ₩.
Seoraksan cable car
설악산 케이블카For those who'd rather have the view without the three-hour climb. It leads to the foot of Gwongeumseong fortress.
Seorak-dong entrance · Maps ↗
Abai Village
아바이마을On a small peninsula facing the port, a village frozen in time, famous since a hit series was filmed there. Reached by a hand-pulled ferry.
Ferry from the port, 2,000 ₩ · Maps ↗
Naksansa Temple
낙산사A temple perched on a cliff above the East Sea, with a white Buddha statue visible from far off.
Bus from Sokcho, ~20 min · Maps ↗