Gangneung in 2 days by KTX

Two days in Gangneung: city and Gyeongpo first, then the coast

Gangneung is an East Sea coastal city with Gyeongpodae Pavilion and Gyeongpo Lake, long beaches, Ojukheon (birthplace of the scholar Yulgok) and Seongyojang, a house kept in its original form for some 300 years. It is about 2 hours from Seoul Station by KTX, so the train is an easy way in.

The guide says a KTX day trip is possible, but allow 2 days to add Jeongdongjin and Jumunjin. Spend Day 1 on the historic houses near Gangneung Station and the Gyeongpo area, and Day 2 on Jeongdongjin to the south and Anmok Beach.

• Day 1: Gangneung Station, Ojukheon, Seongyojang, Gyeongpodae and Gyeongpo Lake, Gyeongpo Beach, Chodang Tofu Village
• Day 2: KTX-Eum to Jeongdongjin, back to Anmok Beach Coffee Street, Jumunjin Port if time allows

• Gangneung travel guide →

Getting to Gangneung: KTX is fastest

The KTX Gangneung Line runs 237.7 km from Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Gangneung Station, and trains also start from Seoul Station. Korea Tourism Organization puts Seoul Station to Gangneung Station at about 2 hours. Gangneung Station is in Gyo-dong in the city centre. Check timetables and fares on Korail (letskorail.com).

Buses also run from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal; Gangneung City gives about 3 hours from Seoul to Gangneung City Hall. From Busan, the KTX-Eum Donghae Line takes about 3 hr 50 min from Bujeon, with 6 trains a day between Bujeon and Gangneung (3 each way).

Anmok Beach is about 15 minutes from Gangneung Station by city bus (Nos. 300-1, 223-1, 225-1, 314-1) or taxi. Route numbers can change, so check the bus information system (bis.gn.go.kr) or the station tourist information centre.

• KTX Gangneung Line: Seoul Station to Gangneung Station about 2 hr; check fares with Korail
• Express and intercity buses: Seoul to Gangneung City Hall about 3 hr; check fares on the booking site
• KTX-Eum Donghae Line: Bujeon (Busan) to Gangneung about 3 hr 50 min, 6 trains a day (3 each way)

• Busan in 2 days: Gimhae Airport to Haeundae →

Day 1 morning: Ojukheon and Seongyojang

From Gangneung Station, start with the historic houses in the city centre. Ojukheon and Gyeongpodae are near Seongyojang, so the three fit into one day. City buses cost KRW 1,530 by transit card (KRW 1,700 cash), with up to 2 free transfers to a different route number within 1 hour of getting off.

Ojukheon is where Yulgok Yi I and his mother, Shin Saimdang, were born. Mongryongsil (the room where Yulgok was born), Yulgok Memorial Hall and Gangneung Municipal Museum are on site. Open 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00); adults KRW 3,000, free for 65 and over.

Seongyojang is a 99-kan upper-class house passed down through one family. Highlights are the Yeolhwadang men's quarters and the Hwallaejeong pavilion over a pond. Open 09:00–18:00 March–October and 09:00–17:00 November–February; closed Seollal and Chuseok; adults KRW 5,000.

• Ojukheon: 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00), adults KRW 3,000, free for 65 and over
• Seongyojang: 09:00–18:00 March–October, 09:00–17:00 November–February, closed Seollal and Chuseok, adults KRW 5,000
• City bus: KRW 1,530 by card (KRW 1,700 cash), 2 free transfers within 1 hour

Day 1 afternoon and evening: Gyeongpodae, Gyeongpo Lake and Beach, Chodang

In the afternoon, head to Gyeongpo. Gyeongpodae Pavilion stands on raised ground, so you can see Gyeongpo Lake and the sea from it. Open all year, free.

Gyeongpo Lake is a lagoon separated from the sea by a sandbar, about 4 km around and known for its pines and cherry trees. Gyeongpo Beach is 1 km from Gyeongpodae, with 1.8 km of white sand backed by 4 km of pine forest. Swimming is allowed only during each beach's official season.

For dinner, have chodang sundubu (soft tofu) in Chodang Tofu Village next to Gyeongpo Lake. It is said to date from tofu made with seawater as the coagulant. Gangmun Beach is close by for an evening walk.

• Gyeongpodae: open all year, free
• Gyeongpo Lake and Beach: always open, free (showers KRW 3,500 in swimming season)
• Dinner: chodang sundubu in Chodang Tofu Village

Day 2: KTX-Eum to Jeongdongjin, Anmok Coffee Street, Jumunjin Port

In the morning, take KTX-Eum from Gangneung Station to Jeongdongjin. It takes about 14 minutes, but there are few trains, so check times first and book a return on Korail Talk. Jeongdongjin Station is in the Guinness book as the train station closest to the sea, and the beach is about a 3-minute walk away. The Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail (3.01 km) along the coastal terraces is nearby.

Back in Gangneung, go to Anmok Beach Coffee Street. It grew from a row of roadside coffee vending machines and now has about 30 coffee shops along the sea. The 2026 Gangneung Coffee Festival runs 21–25 October (check dates on the city tourism site).

With time left, take the City (SEA TEA) Bus to Jumunjin Port. It runs about 23 km along the coast from Anmok Beach via Gyeongpo and Sacheonjin to Jumunjin Beach, daily from 08:00 every 40 minutes at the normal city bus fare. Jumunjin Fish Market is open 07:00–20:00.

• Morning: KTX-Eum Gangneung to Jeongdongjin, about 14 min (few trains; check times)
• Late morning: Jeongdongjin Station to the beach, about a 3-minute walk
• Afternoon: Anmok Beach Coffee Street (beach always open, free)
• With extra time: City Bus to Jumunjin Port and fish market

What to eat in Gangneung, and the budget

Gangneung, along with Jeonju, is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Besides chodang sundubu, try gamja ongsimi, grated-potato dumplings in broth (Byeongsan-dong has a village of ongsimi restaurants), mulhoe around Sacheonjin Port, and spicy jang kalguksu. Gangneung City notes that fish landed at Jumunjin Port is very fresh, so good raw fish is fairly cheap there.

Gyeongpodae, Gyeongpo Lake and Beach, Anmok Beach and Jeongdongjin are free. Paid sites are Ojukheon (adults KRW 3,000) and Seongyojang (adults KRW 5,000). Check Korail for KTX fares; hotel and food costs vary by date, so check booking sites. Accommodation is most of the budget, so compare early for sunrise dates and the summer holidays.

• Chodang sundubu: Chodang Tofu Village next to Gyeongpo Lake
• Gamja ongsimi: the ongsimi village in Byeongsan-dong
• Mulhoe: 'Sacheon Mulhoe Village' around Sacheonjin Port
• Jang kalguksu: Jungang Market or Chodang Tofu Village
• Raw fish: Jumunjin Port

Checklist before you go

The KTX-Eum Donghae Line has few trains a day, and weekends and the summer holidays sell out fast. Book your Jeongdongjin return ahead on Korail Talk. Nationwide transit cards such as T-money work here (except the Climate Card).

Tourist information centres (Gangneung Station, bus terminal and Gyeongpo, 09:00–18:00) have staff who interpret English, Japanese and Chinese, and the tourist helpline is 1330. Entry rules for Korea depend on your nationality, so check official Korean government information. Fees and opening hours can change, so check official information before you go.

• KTX and KTX-Eum timetables and fares: check official info (Korail)
• A transit card (free transfers work only by card; tap when you get off)
• Swim only during each beach's official season
• Ojukheon last entry 17:00; Seongyojang closed Seollal and Chuseok
• Fees and opening hours: check official info

• Full Gangneung travel guide →
• Another Korea trip: Jeju in 3 days →

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