Gangwon 강원

Gangwon occupies the north-east corner of South Korea, bordering North Korea to the north and the East Sea to the east. Since June 2023 it has officially been Gangwon State (강원특별자치도), a special self-governing province with more local autonomy, although the older name Gangwon-do is still widely used. It is the most mountainous part of the country, and the Taebaek range running down its length splits it into two quite different halves: the inland valleys and lakes to the west, and a narrow strip of coast to the east.

The mountains are the main reason to come. Seoraksan, above the port of Sokcho, is one of Korea’s most celebrated national parks, with granite pinnacles, waterfalls and long ridge hikes; Odaesan, further south, is gentler and known for its forested temple grounds. Autumn colour arrives here earlier than in Seoul, starting on the high ridges in early October and reaching the valleys later in the month, and the trails fill up accordingly. In winter the high ground around Pyeongchang gets reliable snow, and the resorts that hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics with Gangneung still draw skiers and snowboarders from December to February.

The east coast is the other half of the picture. Gangneung combines long sandy beaches with a lively cafe culture and Joseon-era sites, while Sokcho is known for its seafood markets. In July and August these beaches become some of the busiest in the country. Inland, Chuncheon, the provincial capital, sits among man-made lakes and is the usual base for Nami Island.

Getting here is far easier than it once was. The KTX line opened for the Olympics brings Gangneung within about two hours of Seoul, and the ITX-Cheongchun commuter express reaches Chuncheon in about an hour. Sokcho and Seoraksan have no railway yet, so express buses from Seoul are the standard route. The transportation guide and the Korail Pass guide explain how these trains fit into a wider trip, and the temples guide covers Gangwon’s mountain monasteries.