Sokcho Expo Tower (속초 엑스포타워) - Area information - Korea travel information

Sokcho Expo Tower (속초 엑스포타워)

Sokcho Expo Tower (속초 엑스포타워)

6.7Km    2019-09-20

72, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-637-5083

Sokcho Expo Tower in the area of Cheongchoho Lake, Joyang-dong, is an observatory tower set in a park surrounded by mountains and lakes.

The tower is 73.4m in x_height and can accommodate up to 100 visitors at once. From the observation platform, visitors can enjoy a complete view of the Sokcho area, including Ulsanbawi Rock and Daecheongbong Peak in Seoraksan Mountain, the East Sea and downtown Sokcho. The view around sunset is especially picturesque and the migratory bird habitat of Cheongchoho Lake is also located near the tower.

ARUNA (아루나)

ARUNA (아루나)

6.8Km    2024-02-16

85 Cheonghohaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Located on Sokcho’s Cheonghohaean-gil, ARUNA is renowned for its stunning ocean views and rooftop area. The first floor of the café features a large window wall on one side, offering expansive views of the sky and the East Sea. ARUNA’s selection of coffee beverages and desserts, including matcha, scones, and cookies, are well-received by visitors. Additionally, the café is conveniently located near several tourist attractions such as Sokchohaebyeon Beach, Sokcho Eye (Ferris Wheel), and Abai Village. 

Yangyang Salmon Festival (양양연어축제)

6.9Km    2022-10-27

226-2beonji, Nammun-ri, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-33-671-3803

Yangyang Salmon Festival is a festival celebrating one of Yangyang’s specialties, salmon. The festival is held in mid-October each year, at Namdaecheon Stream, Yangyang. Namdaecheon Stream sees the greatest salmon run in Korea, hosting more than 70% of the salmon returning to Korea. Salmon born in Namdaecheon Stream grow for 3 to 5 years in the North Pacific, and return to Namdaecheon Stream in fall through the East Sea to lay eggs and face the end of their lives. Yangyang Salmon Festival joins these fish in their powerful, vigorous display of life as they return to their native river. The festival starts with Yongwangje, a traditional rite, and offers a bevy of experience programs, including the most famous program of salmon hand-catching. Seeing the salmon drifting and darting between one’s hands is certainly an experience that can only be had in very few places around the world. Salmon ecology experience offers an interesting insight into the growth and movement of salmon, and other activities like salmon tasting, salmon rubbing, and salmon ecology exhibitions keep the spirit of the festival alive.

Osan-ri Prehistory Museum (오산리선사유적박물관)

Osan-ri Prehistory Museum (오산리선사유적박물관)

6.9Km    2021-08-11

33, Hakpo-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2442

Osan-ri Prehistory Museum is dedicated to preserving, researching, and exhibiting artifacts found in the Archaeological Site in Osan-ri, Yangyang. These artifacts, dating back to the Neolithic period about 8,000 years ago, were found over the course of public works on the museum’s surrounding wetlands. The collection of nearly 40,000 artifacts, include earthenware with a raised design, stone arrowheads, and net weights, represent one of the premier archaeological findings of the Neolithic period in Korea. The artifacts themselves speak to the fishing, hunting, and gathering activities of the Neolithic residents of Osan-ri. The museum is divided into indoor and outdoor exhibitions, storage, and research areas. Exhibition Hall 1, located indoors, offers a diorama of the Neolithic lifestyle in Osan-ri, such as fishing, gathering, and earthenware production. Exhibition Hall 2 introduces the prehistoric culture of the Yeongdong region, encompassing the periods from the Neolithic to the Iron Age in Yangyang, Goseong, and Gangneung. Outdoor Exhibition includes Neolithic cottage models, exploration paths, and Ssangho Wetlands, whose nickname of “the dancing reed bed” comes from the mysterious sight of the reed bed rising over the wetlands like an island, dancing to the winds.

Cheongchoho Lake (청초호)

Cheongchoho Lake (청초호)

7.0Km    2021-08-18

Cheongchohoban-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-639-2690

Cheongchoho Lake, located in the center of Sokcho city, is a large natural lake with a circumference of 5 m and an area of 1.3 km2. The source water originates from the Misiryeong Valley of Taebaek Mountain Range and flows to the Cheongchocheon Stream and to this beautiful lake, and then continues to the adjacent sea. So, the lake is an intermediate stop between the river and the sea. Cheongchojeong Pavilion is located above the lake, offering an open view of Seoraksan Mountain and the East Sea. As it is situated at the end of the 75 m-long ocean bridge, you will feel standing in the middle of the lake and enjoy a panoramic view of the lake. Shining more at night, this pavilion is regarded as the best attraction for the beautiful night view in Sokcho. It also attracts visitors’ attraction with its sculptures of the blue and yellow dragons, which were established based on the local legend associated with Cheongchoho Lake. The trail built around the lakeside is equipped with a nighttime lighting system so that many people visit it at night and the benches for rest and appreciating the view. There are many attractions around the lake, such as Seokbong Ceramic Museum, bird sanctuary, etc. The Cheongchoho Lake Park was the venue of the International Travel Expo ’99 Kangwon and is known for its 73.4 m high Expo Tower Observatory.

Sol Beach Hotel & Resort Yangyang (쏠비치 호텔&리조트 양양)

7.1Km    2021-04-12

678, Seonsayujeok-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1588-4888

This sea resort offers an exotic atmosphere like southern Spain in the unspoiled nature of the East Sea and Seorak. The most striking part of Sol Beach Hotel & Resort Yangyang is that it faithfully recreates the architectural style of southern Spain; the building is modeled after the styles found in the city of Malaga of Andalucia, at Costa del Sol, with red roof, white walls, wide windows, and terrace. There are four types of rooms available, namely Resort, Hotel, Noblian, and Residence. Regardless of their type, all rooms offer a comfortable stay with a handsome view of the East Sea and the Seoraksan Mountain, bedding, and attentive service. “Sonopet Silver” rooms allow the guests to stay with their companion animals. Other facilities on site help to enhance the prestige of the hotel; “Ocean Play,” an indoor and outdoor water park, includes Aqua Zone, with a view of the East Sea; seawater sauna, using the water drawn from the East Sea; and Martherapy, a sea-themed therapy service. “Private Beach,” available for short-term rentals, include Cabana and sunbeds that are inspired by Spanish beaches, while the “Sunset Cinema” runs films and performances related to the sea.

Yangyang Songi Festival (양양송이축제)

Yangyang Songi Festival (양양송이축제)

7.1Km    2023-09-11

Nammun-ri, Yangyang-eup, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-671-3803

Yangyang Songi Festival takes place annually during the harvest season for Yangyang’s famed specialty, pine mushrooms. Visitors can purchase these mushrooms as well as mushrooms and other specialty products grown throughout the country.

Do Hotel [Korea Quality] 두호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

Do Hotel [Korea Quality] 두호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.3Km    2023-06-27

139, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-631-7007, +82-10-4895-3515

The Do Hotel stands just in front of Cheongcho Lake Park in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. Thanks to this location, early-rising guests can watch the sunrise over Cheongcho Lake; and year-round, the lake and park make this a great spot for photos. There’s plenty of parking space, and guests can arrive or leave early in the morning if necessary. Tourist attractions such as Yeonggeumjeong, Daepo Port, Dongmyeong Port, and Seoraksan Mountain are all easy to get to.

Cheongchoho Lake Park (청초호 호수공원)

7.3Km    2024-04-08

140 Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do40

Cheongchoho Lake Park is where the 1999 International Tourism & Culture Expo was held. Benches are scattered around the park for resting in the shade of trees. By the natural lake is a walking deck for enjoying tulips in spring, marinas in summer, chrysanthemums in fall, and snow in winter. From the top of the Expo Tower, one can see a panoramic view of Cheongchoho Lake, Cheongchoho Lake Park, the East Sea, and even Jodo Island. On the other side, Ulsanbawi Peak and Dalmabong Peak of Seoraksan Mountain come into view.

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

Abai Village (아바이 마을)

7.3Km    2025-03-16

122-1 Cheongho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Located in Cheongho-dong, Abai Village bears a history of displaced people’s distress. The village was formed by refugees of the Korean War from North Korea, mainly from Hamgyeong-do Province. The word “abai” is a dialect of Hamgyeong-do that means a friendly old man like a grandfather. Visitors to Abai Village can get a sense of displaced people’s life and story, which fade away into a chapter of history. Although it has lost its original appearance now, old shacks without a gate still remain here and there. Mural paintings on the wall show the sentiment of nostalgia about their hometown and express sorrow and hard life of displaced people, who lived from hand to mouth by fishing and doing physical labor. The original houses built by refugees in the village were restored into the Refugee Village at the Sokcho Museum. Abai Village is also known as a filming location for the Korean TV drama Autumn in My Heart, attracting a lot of visitors and becoming a major attraction in Sokcho. The restaurant alley is packed with cafes and North Korean food restaurants serving local dishes such as Hamheung-style cold buckwheat noodles, stuffed squid, and North Korean-style sausage soup.