Geumganggul Cave (금강굴)

10.6 Km 28146 2019-11-27

1091, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

Hollowed into the rocks of Seoraksan Mountain, about 600 meters above sea level, you will find Geumganggul Cave. This 23 square meters cave was once used as a place of worship, and contains a stone sitting Buddha and some earthenware. The route up the cave is quite steep, and visitors must walk across a few bridges and up concrete stairways. However, you will be rewarded with a captivating view of Cheonbuldong Valley.

The hiking trail from Seorakdong to Geumganggul Cave, which also passes by Biseondae, is 3.6 kilometers long and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Biseondae Rock (비선대)

10.6 Km 19608 2021-04-09

1091, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

Biseondae Rock is a large rock located in the Cheonbuldong Valley of Seoraksan Mountain. The rock blended with a giant surrounding rocky wall creates a mysterious atmosphere. When it rains, water flows down through the rock and forms a small waterfall. The stream of water winding around the rock is considered the magnificent view, which is similar to that of the Manpokdong Valley in Geumgangsan Mountain. When the season changes, its landscape boasts different scenery: full-blown flowers in spring, green and refreshing trees in summer, colorful autumnal leaves in autumn, and white snowy view in winter. Due to such a mysterious landscape, Biseondae Rock bears a legend in which Taoist hermit called Magoseon enjoyed scenery of this place and ascended to heaven. The name of Biseondae, meaning the rock (dae) where a Taoist hermit (seon) flew up (bi) to the sky, originates from this legend.

Seoraksan Gwongeumseong Fortress (설악산 권금성)

10.6 Km 65590 2024-02-28

1091 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-636-7700

Gwongeumseong Fortress is a stone castle from the Goryeo dynasty and is located 800 meters above sea level in Seoraksan National Park. From a distance, Gwongeumseong Fortress looks like a rising peak, while up close, the expansive stone floor and remnants of castle walls become visible. Visitors can access the fortress via hiking trails or by taking a cable car. From the fortress, visitors can enjoy the majestic view of Seoraksan Mountain and the blue waters of the East Sea.

Sinheungsa Temple (Seoraksan Mountain) (신흥사(설악산))

10.7 Km 74983 2024-03-12

1137 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-636-7044

Sinheungsa Temple is a temple located in Seoraksan Mountain near Sokcho. It belongs to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was originally founded as Hyangseongsa Temple by the monk Jajang in the Shilla dynasty (A.D. 652). Within the temple grounds, cultural heritage sites such as Geungnakbojeon Hall, a wooden structure from the mid-Joseon period, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Hyangseongsa Temple Site. The temple offers a templestay program where visitors can experience temple life firsthand. Participants can engage in various activities such as Buddhist ceremonies, Buddhist prayer, 108 prostrations, and lotus lantern and rosary making.

Ulsanbawi Rock Milky Way Photo Spot on Old Misiryeong Trail (미시령옛길 울산바위 은하수)

11.1 Km 1 2024-03-18

5110 Donghae-daero, Toseong-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Misiryeong Pass, historically a pathway connecting Inje to Sokcho, also serves as an observation point for viewing Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan Mountain. More recently, it has gained popularity as a photo spot for capturing the Milky Way. As a result, on clear nights, the parking lot is often filled with eager photographers.

Naksansa Temple (낙산사)

11.6 Km 61805 2022-12-22

100, Naksansa-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-2447

This ancient temple was built in the 11th year of King Munmu’s reign of Silla (671) by the Buddhist monk Uisang. Naksansa Temple is one of the foremost sights of Yangyang, and one of the most historic sites in the region. Along with Ganghwa’s Bomunsa Temple and Namhae’s Boriam Hermitage, it is said to be one of the three centers of the cult of Avalokitesvara in Korea. Its handsome view overlooking the East Sea has earned it a spot in the Eight Sights of Gwandong (eight famous sights in Yeongdong region of Gangwon-do), documented throughout the ages in many classic literature and poetry. Today’s Naksansa Temple is a product of many restorations and expansions, and has many examples of cultural heritage within its walls. There is a 16 meter-tall statue of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to Uisangdae, a pavilion built to overlook the sunrise over the East Sea on a coastal cliff, Hongnyeonam Hermitage, built over the crashing waves, Seven-story Stone Pagoda of Naksansa Temple, Yangyang (Treasure No. 499), a Joseon-era pagoda with Goryeo-era style, and Stupa, Stele, and Reliquaries of Naksansa Temple, Yangyang (Treasure No. 1723), including a number of sarira. A mountain fire in 2005 resulted in the loss of 20 buildings, including the building that housed its bronze bell (formerly Treasure No. 479 of Korea). The temple also operates templestay programs available through its website.

Seoraksan Ulsanbawi Rock (설악산 울산바위)

11.6 Km 50892 2024-02-28

1091 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-680-3382

Ulsanbawi is a rock formation in Seoraksan Mountain that consists of six massive peaks, each reaching 900 meters above sea level. The name "Ulsanbawi" is derived from the shape of the peaks, which spread out like a fence, and it is located at the center of Seoraksan Mountain. This rock is celebrated for its unique shape, the scenic beauty surrounding it, and its hiking trails. It takes about three hours to reach the top of Ulsanbawi from Sogongwon Park.

Uisangdae Pavilion (낙산사 의상대)

11.6 Km 16142 2021-04-12

100, Naksansa-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-2447

This pavilion is located on a seaside cliff on the way from Yangyang’s Naksansa Temple to Gwaneumgul Cave of Hongnyeonam Hermitage. The word “dae” in Uisangdae refers to a building built at a vantage point for areas with beautiful scenery. Indeed, the view of the East Sea and the coast from Uisangdae Pavilion awarded its recognition as one of the Eight Sights of Yangyang, and a must-visit place for all visitors to Naksansa Temple. Jeong Cheol (pen-name: Songgang), a famed scholar and writer of the poem Song of Diamond Mountains, chose the pavilion as one of the Eight Sights of Gwandong, and the pavilion is today one of the popular sites for sunrise-viewing on the east coast of Korea. Together with Hongnyeonam Hermitage, it is designated as the Scenic Site No. 27 of Korea under the name “Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongnyeonam Hermitage of Naksansa Temple, Yangyang.” Uisangdae is named after Uisang, a respected Silla-era Buddhist monk who is said to have founded this temple in 671 (11th year of King Munmu’s reign of Silla), and many stories of his deeds can still be found in the temple. For instance, Uisangdae is said to be the site where he meditated before founding Naksansa Temple at its present site. Today’s pavilion was restored to its present hexagonal form in 1995.

Bongsudae Beach (봉수대해변)

12.2 Km 13488 2022-08-04

Oho-ri, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-680-3356

Bongsudae Beach is located 200 meters north of Sampo Beach and the white-sand coastline stretches along the side of National Road No. 7. This beach was opened in 1997, and remains relatively cleaner than other beaches. The beach is used as an auto-camping site in summer. The beach shore is only 800 meters long and 50 meters wide, but boasts clean and fine sand.

Jeongin Hoesikdang (정인회식당)

12.2 Km 18009 2024-02-16

32 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do

Jeongin Hoesikdang, situated near Naksan Beach in Yangyang, specializes in mul hoe (cold raw fish soup) and saengseon jjigae (fish jjigae). It prides itself on using fresh fish, sourced from nearby ports and used within a day of purchase. The restaurant's signature dish is sanureok maeuntang (spicy rockfish stew). Other popular menu items include modeum mul hoe (assorted cold raw fish soup), seongge albap (sea urchin roe rice), and ojingeo hoe deopbap (raw squid bibimbap). Additionally, soups like gomchi tang (spicy moray eel stew) and haemul tang (spicy seafood stew) are also highly recommended. For guests interested in local attractions, the scenic Naksansa Temple and Naksanhaebyeon Beach are nearby.

Geumganggul Cave (금강굴) - Area information - Korea travel information