Gangneung sits on Korea's east coast, where the mountains of the Taebaek range meet the East Sea. Known for its dramatic coastline, artisan coffee scene, and the nearby ski resorts that hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics, Gangneung has quietly become one of Korea's trendiest destinations.
The city's Anmok Beach is lined with dozens of specialty coffee shops — Gangneung has more cafés per capita than anywhere in Korea. Beyond caffeine, the Gyeongpo area offers serene lake views, Chodang Village serves Korea's best sundubu (soft tofu), and the coastline delivers some of the country's most photogenic sunrises.
Gangneung is now just 2 hours from Seoul via the KTX Gyeonggang Line, making it perfect for a weekend escape from the capital.
Top 5 Must-Visit Spots
1. Anmok Coffee Street
A beachfront strip packed with 30+ specialty coffee roasters. Gangneung's café scene rivals Seoul's.
Tip: Terarosa Coffee originated here — try their signature drip.
2. Gyeongpo Beach & Lake
A long sandy beach backed by a scenic lake. The cherry blossom path around the lake in April is spectacular.
Tip: Rent a bike to circle the lake (about 4 km).
3. Chodang Sundubu Village
A cluster of restaurants all serving silky-soft tofu (sundubu-jjigae) made with East Sea water.
Tip: Chodang Wonsundubu is the original — get there before noon.
4. Jeongdongjin Sunrise
Famous as the closest train station to the sea in Korea. Watching sunrise here is a bucket-list Korean experience.
Tip: Take the late-night train from Seoul to arrive for sunrise.
5. Ojukheon House
Birthplace of Shin Saimdang, the artist on Korea's 50,000-won note. A beautifully preserved Joseon-era estate.
Tip: The adjacent museum has excellent Joseon-era artifacts.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (July–August) for beach season, or winter (December–February) for skiing at nearby Alpensia/Yongpyong. Spring cherry blossoms around Gyeongpo Lake are stunning.
How to Get There
KTX from Seoul (Cheongnyangni Station) takes about 2 hours via the Gyeonggang Line. Express bus from Dong Seoul Terminal takes around 2.5 hours.