Sokcho, Gangwon Province, South Korea

🇰🇷 Sokcho (속초) is a city in Gangwon-do province, South Korea. It is located in the far north-east of Gangwon-do. The city is a major tourist hub, and a popular gateway to nearby Seoraksan national park. Sokcho is home to the few lakes: Yeongrangho and Cheongchoho that are naturally created by the Sea of Japan.

History Sokcho originally was a part of Dongye roughly from the 3rd century to early 5th century BC. Sokcho started from just a fishing village with a few people around Cheongchoho. In 1905, it became one of the major ports because of its geological feature. Since Cheongchoho lake is adjacent to the East Sea, big ships were able to come in and out with ease. Later on, the city Sokcho, linked with Seoul by air and road, became a mineral transfer port in 1937. Upon the division of the Korean peninsula into two countries following World War II, Sokcho was on the North Korean side of the border, but since the Korean War armistice (1953), it has been a part of South Korea.

Tourist Industry Seoraksan National Park is located in the vicinity of Sokcho and attracts many domestic and international tourists. The city itself is known for the beach, natural hot springs, and golf courses, as well as fine fishery products.

The nearby Yeongrangho lake is renowned for its beauty. The reflection of Seoraksan and its Ulsanbawi are particularly popular. There are a number of well-preserved Buddhist temples in the area around Sokcho. The main building of the Sinheungsa temple (Geukrakbojeon) is a major tourist destination (originally built in the 15th century). Also notable is the Hyangseongsaji samcheung seoktap, a three-storey pagoda of 4.3 metres. It dates from 652 and is located at the site of the Hyangseongsa temple.

Yeonggeumjeong, a pavilion built on the shores of Sokcho, is popular for its magnificent views of the sunrise, as well as for hearing the sound of the sea. It is thought that the pavilion was built at this location for sonic reasons.

Marina Yacht is located in Cheongchoho Lake Park and it provides a yacht tour on a wide expanse of the East Sea. The yacht sailing begins and ends at Cheongcho Marina passing Seorakdaegyo Bridge, Dongmyeonghang Port, Jodo in order. Marina Yacht rents boats to people who have a boat driving license. The place also operates a café.

Yeongrangho Hwarangdo Experience Center is held various experience programs, horse riding members recruitment, and annual World Knight Championship. The centre contributes to the transmission of traditional horseback martial art and popularization, and vitalization of horse riding.

Abai village near Seoraksan was originally set up as an area to house North Korean refugees in Sokcho due to the separation of the two Koreas. Consequently, many of the population have relatives in North Korea. The village has seen increased tourism due to the popularity of the Korean Drama Autumn in My Heart on KBS.

In July 2016, Sokcho became one of the few locations in South Korea where Pokémon Go could be played due to government restrictions on mapping data. Players flocked to the city, causing bus tickets to sell out.

In 1999, Gangwon International Tourism Expo was held.

Today, a number of tourists are also attracted by the closeness to the DMZ.

Sokcho used to have its own airport, linking the city to Seoul. Currently, the city is served by the Yangyang International Airport.

The opening of KTX Kyung Kang line has made it convenient for travelers to visit Gangwon-Do province which is only an 86-minute train ride that starts from Seoul and tons of attractions.

Daepo harbor is a port located in Daepo-dong, Sokcho. Mt. Seorak and the East Coast (of South Korea) turn into tourist attractions rather than national professional fishing port, Daepo harbor against tourists began to serve as destinations. Sokcho City offers various attractions such as sea fountain and beach cable car at Daepo harbor.

Culture Local cuisine can be experienced in the various food districts of the city. "Foodtown" is a two block area dedicated to restaurants where visitors can find mainly Korean style beef pork and chicken restaurants. Daepo harbor, outside of Sokcho on the road to Yangyang offers more than 100 individual mini restaurants serving diverse seafood dishes. An own unique stuffed squid dish, Abai Sundae, can be found in Abai village.

In October Sokcho comes to life with the Seorak Cultural Festival, which includes parades, stage shows, contests, races and various other forms of entertainment. The rice cake making sampling contests are particularly popular. Another unusual event is the Gaet-Bae, or raft, race. Two teams propel the rafts across the course by pulling on long handled hooks catching the cable that straddles the deck of each raft.