Gangwon-Do can be explored through distinct, clearly defined highlights: traditional culture in Gangneung, temple and museum history, and mountain, forest, and coastal landscapes. The Danoje Festival offers a concrete introduction to the region’s cultural side, while its natural attractions provide their own points of interest.
Culture and history
The Gangneung Danoje Festival, also known as Danojeol, Danyangjeol, Danyangnori, and Danyanggut, has its roots in harvest and agricultural rites. It continues to be passed down in its traditional form and is designated Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 13. The festival’s various names and origins in agricultural rites give it a history that extends beyond the event itself.
Woljeongsa Temple in Pyeongchang-gun was founded in 643 during the Silla Dynasty. It is home to an octagonal, nine-story stone pagoda from the Goryeo period. At the temple, a path about one kilometer long runs from Iljumun Gate to Geumganggyo Bridge, lined with more than 1,700 fir trees. The temple’s history, a distinctive structure, and a clearly defined path offer different points of interest.
In Wonju-si, Museum SAN was designed by Tadao Ando. The Gangwon Comprehensive Museum in Samcheok-si offers a different cultural focus: its collection includes more than 20,000 artifacts from cultures around the world, including items related to natural history, ceramics, metalwork, folklore, religion, woodwork, and stoneworking. The museum building is inspired by historical East Asian architecture.
Mountains, forests, and landscapes
Mount Sorak includes pristine forests of the temperate mid-latitude zone and 1,292 plant species. Around the summit of Daecheongbong in Seoraksan, the habitat of the dwarf pine is protected as a strict nature reserve. These details represent two different natural themes: plant diversity and the protection of a specific habitat.
Daegwallyeong is characterized by high plateaus at more than 700 meters above sea level and hilly terrain. It was also the main venue for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Mount Barwangsan is 1,458 meters high and known for its stands of spreading yew trees. Its hiking trail features a gently sloping wooden boardwalk and aids such as strollers and wheelchairs. In Odaesan National Park, the landscape includes Birobong Peak, which rises to 1,563 meters; visitors can explore a variety of trails there.
The individual scenic spots also differ considerably. Mureunggyegok Valley is a historic scenic site with distinctive rock formations and waterfalls. Mureung Byeolyucheonji has two emerald-green lakes. Cheongganjeong Pavilion dates back to the mid-Joseon period; from there, visitors can look out over a pine forest and the East Sea.
Trails and outdoor experiences
Dojjaebigol Sky Valley features a 59-meter-high skywalk, a large slide, and a sky-cycle course. Sogeumsan Grand Valley offers a suspension bridge and a boardwalk. At Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark, you can get a close-up view of columnar joints from a boardwalk along the cliff edge. Each trail and facility offers something different: views, activity, and close-up sights of distinctive rock formations.
Nami Island has numerous forest trails and regularly hosts cultural events, performances, and exhibitions. Surfyy Beach has a one-kilometer beach designated for surfing and a surf school. Activities include surf yoga, longboarding, and snorkeling; programs, schedules, and fees may change. Check the latest information before your visit. Haerang Observatory is a sea bridge shaped like a goblin’s club, offering a very different and unusual form by the water.
To choose what to focus on, consider the differences: Danoje and the museums lead to cultural topics; temples and pavilions combine history with architecture or views, while mountain trails, forest paths, and surfing offer various ways to explore the outdoors.
Discover more destinations: Yangyang-gun, Pyeongchang, Sokcho, Donghae, Chuncheon, Hongcheon, Goseong, Inje-gun, Gangneung, Wonju, Jeongseon-gun, Samcheok-si, Taebaek-si, Yeongwol-gun, Hoengseong-gun, Cheorwon-gun.
For the main travel overview: South Korea.
