Attractions in Gangwon (skiing, nature)
Snowy peaks, deep forests, and ocean sunrises ⛷️🌲
Showing 55 attractions · Sorted by importance
Alpensia Resort
📍 Pyeongchang
🧗 AdventureA purpose-built Olympic venue featuring year-round outdoor sports, a high-altitude alpine coaster, and a Mediterranean-style water park.
High1 Resort
📍 Gohan-eup, Jeongseon
⛷ Ski Resort680-1,340m, 18 runs, 21km total pistes, Dec-Mar season, features 3 gondola lines, notable for high altitude and consistent snow quality in the Taebaek Mountains.
Jangneung Royal Tomb
📍 Yeongwol
🏰 CastleA UNESCO World Heritage site and the final resting place of the exiled King Danjong, set within a peaceful and scenic pine forest.
Legoland Korea Resort
📍 Chuncheon
🎢 Theme ParkSouth Korea's first global theme park features seven themed areas with Lego-based rides, shows, and attractions designed for families with children.
Museum SAN
📍 Wonju
🖼 Art GalleryA minimalist architectural masterpiece by Tadao Ando featuring 'Space, Art, and Nature' with diverse art collections and serene outdoor gardens.
Naksansa Temple
📍 Yangyang
⛱ BeachA historic Buddhist temple complex perched on coastal cliffs, featuring the iconic Haesu Gwaneum statue and breathtaking ocean vistas.
Nami Island
📍 Chuncheon
🏛 LandmarkA famous half-moon shaped island known for its iconic tree-lined paths and its role as a filming location for Korean dramas.
National Route 7 Coastal Drive
📍 Samcheok
🚗 Road TripApprox. 240km paved coastal highway (5-6 hours) following the East Sea coastline through Gangneung, Yangyang, and Sokcho. Highlights include the Goseong Unification Observatory, Jeongdongjin Beach, and numerous surfing spots.
Odaesan National Park
📍 Pyeongchang
🌲 NatureKnown for its tranquil fir forests and the ancient Woljeongsa Temple, this park offers gentle trails ideal for families seeking spiritual and natural peace.
Ojukheon House
📍 Gangneung
🏰 CastleThe historic birthplace of the famous Korean scholar Yul-gok and his mother Shin Saimdang, featuring unique black bamboo and Joseon-era architecture.
Phoenix Pyeongchang
📍 Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang
⛷ Ski Resort700-1,080m, 21 runs, 15.4km total pistes, Nov-Mar season, includes an Extreme Park for snowboarding and a freestyle skiing venue from the 2018 Olympics.
Seoraksan National Park
📍 Sokcho
🌲 NatureA UNESCO Biosphere Reserve featuring dramatic granite peaks, colorful autumn foliage, and a cable car offering breathtaking mountain vistas for all ages.
Sinheungsa Temple and Great Unification Buddha
📍 Sokcho
🏛 LandmarkA majestic bronze Buddha statue weighing over 100 tons sits at the entrance of this ancient temple within Seoraksan National Park.
Woljeongsa Temple
📍 Pyeongchang
🏘 Town / VillageA historic Buddhist temple complex on Odaesan Mountain, famous for its octagonal nine-story stone pagoda and scenic fir tree forest trail.
Yongpyong Resort
📍 Pyeongchang
🧗 AdventureSouth Korea's largest ski and mountain resort offering diverse outdoor activities including cable cars, alpine coasters, and championship ski slopes.
Alpaca World
📍 Hongcheon
🐄 FarmSouth Korea's largest animal theme park where visitors can walk and interact with friendly alpacas in a beautiful forest mountain setting.
ARTE Museum Valley Gangneung
📍 Gangneung
🖼 Art GalleryThe largest immersive media art museum in South Korea, featuring stunning digital installations that recreate the beauty of nature and the East Sea.
Chamsori Gramophone Museum and Edison Science Museum
📍 Gangneung
🔬 ScienceA massive collection of Edison's inventions and antique sound equipment that offers a fascinating look at the history of technology.
Cheoksan Hot Spring
📍 Sokcho
♨ Hot SpringA major thermal bath complex featuring natural alkaline water at 53°C, rich in sodium bicarbonate and minerals. The facility is a destination in itself, offering massive communal indoor mineral pools, outdoor stone soaking tubs, and traditional Korean steam rooms known for their skin-healing properties.
Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch
📍 Pyeongchang
🐄 FarmA picturesque ranch at 920 meters elevation featuring a scenic 1.2km walking trail and interactive sheep-feeding experiences in green highland pastures.
East Coast National Bike Path (Gangwon Section)
📍 Goseong
🥾 Hiking & Cycling242km moderate 4-day cycling route following the scenic coastline from Goseong to Samcheok with approximately 1,200m elevation gain. The path features dedicated bike lanes and coastal views. Bike rental: Bike Nara (bikenara.co.kr).
Gangchon Rail Park
📍 Chuncheon
🧗 AdventureA unique outdoor activity where visitors pedal rail bikes along an abandoned railway track featuring scenic river views and themed tunnels.
Gyeongpo Aquarium
📍 Gangneung
🐠 AquariumA modern family destination featuring diverse marine life and local freshwater species from the nearby Gyeongpo Lake ecosystem.
Hangyeryeong Pass (National Route 44)
📍 Inje
🚗 Road Trip20km paved mountain pass (45 minutes) cutting through Seoraksan National Park. Reaching 1,004m, it offers dramatic views of the 'Inner Seorak' peaks and the East Sea. High-quality surface with steep gradients.
High1 Water World
📍 Jeongseon
🌊 Water ParkBoasting Roman-inspired architecture and the largest indoor pool area in Korea, this park provides luxurious year-round aquatic fun for all ages.
Jade Garden Natural Arboretum
📍 Chuncheon
🌿 GardenA European-themed arboretum with 24 distinct themed gardens and Italian-style architecture, famous as a filming location for Korean dramas.
Samyang Roundhill
📍 Pyeongchang
🐄 FarmAsia's largest highland ranch known for its iconic giant wind turbines, massive cattle and sheep pastures, and exciting sheep-herding performances.
Seorak Waterpia
📍 Sokcho
🌊 Water ParkUsing 100% natural hot spring water, this park combines high-speed slides with relaxing spa facilities set against the stunning backdrop of Seoraksan Mountain.
Seoraksan Daecheongbong Peak (Osaek Course)
📍 Yangyang
🥾 Hiking & CyclingApproximately 19km expert 8-10 hour round trip trek to the highest peak in Gangwon at 1,708m. The one-way distance from Osaek is ~9.5km, making this the shortest but steepest route to the summit with ~1,320m elevation gain. Requires high physical fitness.
Seoraksan Ulsanbawi Rock Trail
📍 Sokcho
🥾 Hiking & Cycling7.6km challenging 4-hour round trip hike with approximately 565m elevation gain. This iconic trail involves steep metal staircases leading to a massive granite formation (which sits at 873m elevation) with panoramic views of the East Sea and Seoraksan peaks.
Sokcho Beach
📍 Sokcho
⛱ BeachA popular urban beach featuring clear waters, white sand, and the Sokcho Eye Ferris wheel with panoramic views of the East Sea.
Vivaldi Park Ocean World & Ski World
📍 Hongcheon
🧗 AdventureA highly popular four-season adventure hub featuring one of Korea's largest water parks and extensive ski facilities for all skill levels.
Abai Village
📍 Sokcho
🏘 Town / VillageA unique cultural village established by North Korean refugees during the Korean War, famous for its 'gaetbae' cable ferries and distinct cuisine.
Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre
📍 Pyeongchang
🏛 LandmarkThe iconic venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics, featuring dramatic ski jump ramps and an observatory with panoramic mountain views.
Chiaksan National Park
📍 Wonju
🌲 NatureFeatures steep mountain ridges and the serene Guryongsa Temple, offering rewarding trails through lush valleys punctuated by iconic stone cairns.
Gangneung Danoje Festival
📍 Gangneung
🎭 EventJune, 8-day UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event, 1 million visitors, celebrates traditional shamanistic rituals and mask dramas, family-friendly with folk games and markets.
Welli Hilli Park
📍 Dunnae-myeon, Hoengseong
⛷ Ski Resort350-880m, 20 runs, 13.7km total pistes, Dec-Mar season, features an international-standard halfpipe and a large mogul course for winter sports enthusiasts.
Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch
📍 Pyeongchang
🐄 FarmAn eco-friendly ranch offering tractor wagon tours through meadows, diverse animal feeding zones, and a stunning mountain-top observatory deck.
Goseong Wang-gok Village
📍 Goseong
🏘 Town / VillageA traditional folk village with a history dating back several centuries, featuring unique northern-style thatched and tile-roofed houses.
Gyeongpodae Pavilion
📍 Gangneung
🏰 CastleOne of the eight scenic wonders of eastern Korea, this historic wooden pavilion offers families panoramic views of Gyeongpo Lake.
Haslla Art World
📍 Gangneung
🖼 Art GalleryA unique coastal art complex combining contemporary indoor galleries and a sprawling seaside sculpture park with panoramic ocean views.
Heonhwa-ro Coastal Road
📍 Gangneung
🚗 Road Trip6km paved scenic road (15 minutes) known as the road closest to the sea in South Korea. It runs from Jeongdongjin to Simgok Port, featuring dramatic limestone cliffs on one side and the crashing East Sea on the other.
Hwajinpo Marine Museum
📍 Goseong
🐠 AquariumAn educational maritime facility showcasing a vast collection of shells and live marine creatures native to the East Sea.
Misiryeong Old Hill Road
📍 Inje
🚗 Road Trip13km paved historic mountain road (30 minutes) famous for its extreme switchbacks. It provides the most iconic view of the Ulsanbawi Rock formation and panoramic vistas of Sokcho city and the ocean from the summit.
Ocean World
📍 Hongcheon
🎢 Theme ParkOne of Korea's largest water parks, this Egyptian-themed destination features massive wave pools, high-speed slides, and indoor spa facilities.
Odaesan Birobong Peak Trail
📍 Pyeongchang
🥾 Hiking & Cycling7km moderate 3-hour round trip hike with 600m elevation gain starting from Sangwonsa Temple. The trail passes through ancient fir forests to reach the 1,563m summit offering views of the central Gangwon highlands.
Peak Island
📍 Pyeongchang
🌊 Water ParkSituated high in the mountains, this snow-themed water park offers families a unique alpine-style swimming experience with exciting indoor and outdoor attractions.
Phoenix Blue Canyon
📍 Pyeongchang
🌊 Water ParkThis Mediterranean-style water park features indoor and outdoor zones with mineral-rich water and a variety of family-oriented slides and pools.
Pillye Hot Spring
📍 Inje
♨ Hot SpringA standalone forest thermal facility famous for containing the highest natural germanium levels in South Korea (0.012mg/L). The mineral water is served in a rustic, wood-and-stone bathhouse with indoor and outdoor sections, offering views of the surrounding Seoraksan mountain valleys.
Samcheok Ocean Railbike
📍 Samcheok
🧗 AdventureA family-friendly activity where visitors pedal along the scenic coastline through pine forests and illuminated tunnels.
Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge
📍 Wonju
🧗 AdventureA thrilling adventure destination featuring a long pedestrian suspension bridge and cliffside walkway overlooking the Ganhyeon Rock formations.
Water Planet
📍 Hoengseong
🌊 Water ParkA modern facility in Hoengseong featuring massive wave pools and diverse slides designed to provide clean, high-tech fun for families.
