Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)

  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)
  • Seorak Special Tourist Zone (설악 관광특구)

Explanation

Seorak Special Tourist Zone is a vast zone included in 3 administrative districts, encompassing the entirety of Seoraksan Mountain. In this zone, visitors have various ways to enjoy Seoraksan Mountain and the natural environment of the East Sea region.

Sokcho, which occupies the largest area in the zone, comes first when talking about Seoraksan National Park. Tourists can appreciate the picturesque scenery of the sea and coastal lakes as well as the mountain scenery of Seoraksan Mountain. Hikers can climb the mountain or ride a cable car. Sokcho Beach is a hot spot that attracts young people who fill the place with energy and life all through the summer.

Abai Village, which appeared in several TV dramas for its unique atmosphere, and Sokcho Jungang Market offer local specialties, such as abai sundae (Korean sausage) and dak gangjeong (glazed fried chicken bites).

Goseong, which is bordered by Seoraksan Mountain and Geumgangsan Mountain, is part of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) that offers a unpolluted, beautiful landscape around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Hwajinpo Beach near Hwajinpo Lake, which is a lagoon, and Songjiho Beach near Songjiho Lake are the best places to spend a peaceful vacation. At Hwajinpo Lake, tourists can visit the summer house used by the first South Korean President Syngman Rhee and Castle of Hwajinpo, visited by the former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung before the division of the Korean Peninsula. Lastly, although it is a relatively small part of Seorak Special Tourist Zone, Yangyang has resources for mountain tourism and maritime culture, such as Seoraksan National Park and Naksan Provincial Park. Naksan Beach, Naksansa Temple and Hajodae are popular tourist sites. It is also famous as a district producing high quality pine mushroom.

* Current State of Seorak Special Tourist Zone
1) Districts Covered: Areas around Sokcho-si and parts of Goseong and Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
2) Area: 138.2k㎡(Sokcho 104.9k㎡, Goseong 30.5k㎡, Yangyang 2.8k㎡)

* Tourist Attractions
Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho Beach, Naksan Provincial Park, Hwajinpo Lake, Songjiho Lake, Hajodae Pavilion, Naksansa Temple, Osaek Mineral Spring, etc.


Inquiry

+82-33-249-2775


Homepage

seorak.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
www.sokchotour.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian)


Information Use

Contact and Information : • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-33-249-2775

Parking facilities : Parking lots are available at Seoraksan National Park, Naksan Provincial Park, the beaches and tourist sites.


More information

Restrooms
Public restrooms are available at Seoraksan National Park, Naksan Provincial Park, the beaches and tourist sites.

Available Facilities
Tourist information center, souvenir shop, entertainment restaurant, casino

Interpretation Services Offered
Sokcho Cultural Tourism, Goseong Cultural Tourism and Yangyang Cultural Tourism offer travel information on each of their websites in English, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.

Location

Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do Goseong & Yangyang area

Sangsang Platform (상상플랫폼)

Sangsang Platform (상상플랫폼)

2025-06-05

33 Wolmi-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon

When the Incheon port opened in 1883, the Wolmi-ro area became the gateway to Korea, welcoming vistiors from overseas countries via sea route. Before transforming into the cultural and art complex of today, Sangsang Platform located by the Incheon Open Port used to be Asia's largest granary. Sangsnag Platform is remodeld to preserve the old granary structure while adding a contemporary touch that matches modern-day aesthetics. As the building once connected Incheon to the world, it now serves connect Incheon's past and the future as a multipurpose cultural tourism complex.

Bullidan Street (불리단길)

Bullidan Street (불리단길)

2025-05-28

11 Bulguksintaekji 5-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Bullidan Street, near Bulguksa Temple, once a popular destination for school and group trips, is gaining renewed attention with the opening up of various cafés, restaurants, and workshop spaces in the area. In spring, the street blooms with King Cherry Blossoms, attracting many visitors. On Saturdays, a flea market opens, offering handmade goods and souvenirs. It is the perfect place to stop by and unwind after visiting Bulguksa Temple or hiking.

MCY PARK

MCY PARK

2025-05-27

196 Cheonbungnam-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Themed around three primary colors Red, Blue, and Yellow, MCY Park features vibrant art installations. It showcases imported school buses from the US transformed into a museum, a dessert museum with ice cream, donuts, and cake pop-up art, a stable transformed into a photo zone, and various other interesting themed zones, offering visitors a fun experience.

Puksuwon Spaplex (북수원온천)

Puksuwon Spaplex (북수원온천)

2025-05-21

2139 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Puksuwon Spaplex offers a relaxing escape for visitors with its spacious spa area and natural hot spring water. The facility uses alkaline water with a pH of 9.25. This mineral-rich spring water contains calcium, potassium, sulfuric acid, and iron, which are beneficial for relieving muscle pain, neuralgia, and skin conditions. The spa features various facilities, including hinoki baths, hot and cold springs, dry and ice saunas, a forest bathing room, a family lounge, and a restaurant, providing the perfect environment for visitors to unwind and relax.

Gwanggyo Freiburg Observatory (광교 프라이부르크전망대)

Gwanggyo Freiburg Observatory (광교 프라이부르크전망대)

2025-05-21

127 Gwanggyohosu-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

The Freiburg Observatory in Gwanggyo Lake Park is inspired by the observatory in Freiburg, an eco-city in Germany, and represents Suwon’s commitment to becoming an eco-conscious city. The observatory offers a stunning view of the lakes nearby.  

Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola (DMZ Peace Gondola) (파주 임진각평화곤돌라(파주 DMZ 곤돌라))

Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola (DMZ Peace Gondola) (파주 임진각평화곤돌라(파주 DMZ 곤돌라))

2025-05-19

148-73 Imjingak-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Located in the Imjingak Tourist Complex, the Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola is Korea’s first gondola to cross over the Civilian Control Zone. Connecting Imjingak Resort and Camp Greaves, the gondola is part of the peace and security tourism initiative, offering visitors a unique perspective on DMZ’s history and natural landscapes. As visitors glide across the river, they can see the barbed wire fences, surveillance posts, and other remnants of division. In addition to the general cabin, visitors can enjoy the transparent crystal cabin, which provides a unique and memorable experience.
Note: All visitors to the Civilian Controlled Zone (CCZ) are required to fill out the security pledge

Bamseom Island (Ecosystem Conservation Area) (밤섬 생태경관 보전지역)

Bamseom Island (Ecosystem Conservation Area) (밤섬 생태경관 보전지역)

2025-04-29

Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0793

Located at the Hangang River, Bamseom Island derives its name from its chestnut-like shape (bam in Korean). The island was designated as an Ecosystem Conservation Area by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 1999 and was later recognized as Ramsar Wetland in 2012. Now an uninhabited island, Bamseom Island was once home to around 443 people, who were relocated after the island was exploded as part of the Yeouido Development Project. Today, it is known as a habitat for numerous migratory birds and plant species. People can enjoy views of the Island from Bamseom Park.

Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School (경주향교)

2025-06-12

27-20 Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School is located near Gyochon Hanok Village in Gyeongju. The surrounding areas, Gyochon, Gyori, and Gyodong, derive their names because of this school. Although the exact date of its original construction is unknown, Gyeongju Hyanggyo was renovated during the reign of King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, modeled after Seoul’s Seonggyungwan National Academy. The buildings follow the typical Confucian layout of “hall in the front, shrine in the back.” While seowon were private academies, hyanggyo were public institutions. Although it no longer serves the educational purpose, every spring and autumn it hosts traditional Confucian rituals. It also offers cultural programs such as tea ceremonies, rice-cake pounding, and archery. From April to October it hosts traditional Korean-style demonstration weddings, where visitors can participate in the ceremonies for free.

Padosori Trail (파도소리길)

2025-05-28

405-7 Eupcheon-ri, Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The Padosori (Sound of the Waves) Trail stretches for 1.7 kilometers along the shoreline of Eupcheon-ri in Gyeongju, offering stunning views of the Gyeongju Yangnam Columnar Joint. The coastal road is well-maintained and features a decked pathway, benches, viewing platforms, and a suspension bridge. The Columnar Joint has diverse shapes; in particular, the fan-shaped columnar joint is a rare sight not only in Korea but also worldwide, and thus has been designated as a Natural Monument in 2012.

Bonggil Daewangam Beach (봉길대왕암해변)

2025-05-28

Bonggilhaean-gil, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Bonggil Daewangam Beach, located 32 kilometers east of downtown Gyeongju is a white sand beach with an average water temperature of 22℃. It is less crowded compared to other beaches on the East Coast, making it a perfect destination for a leisurely getaway. In summer, beach bungalows, tube rental shops, snack shops, and other convenience facilities are available. From the beach, visitors can also see the Tomb of King Munmu, which lies 200 meters offshore.