Gangwon province in South Korea is a scenic mountainous region and home to several high mountains and ski resorts, beaches, national parks, and natural spas, as well as interesting historical sites, temples and caves to visit. As one of the most beautiful regions in South Korea, the Gangwon region is a popular domestic holiday destination in South Korea offering great settings for outdoor sports such as trekking and rafting.
Gangwon or Kangwon-Do is a province of South Korea, located in the northeast part of the country. The high Taebak Mountains, valleys, forests, caves and sea shore of Gangwon make up impressive scenery to admire, and there are plenty of activities available for all seasons. The Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea divides the historic Gangwon region into two. Gangwon province is known in South Korea also for its agricultural products, fishing, and mineral resources.
Various historic attractions in Gangwon include the Gwongeumseong Fortress, Sinheungsa Temple, and Heundeulbawi Rock on Mount Seorak-san, Naksansa and Woljeongsa Buddhist Temples, museums, botanical gardens, and an art park. Nakshan Provincial Park is home to famous historical monuments, beaches and theme parks, while the vacation towns of Hongcheon, Pyeongchang, Wonju and Hoengseong offer a variety of outdoor activities.
Mountain activities. Skiing in Gangwon is great for example in Youngpyong ski resort and Odae-san Mountain, while rafting in Gangwon can be tried for example in Naerincheon Region, or Hantangang or Donggang rivers. A range of other adventure sports such as paragliding and bungy jumping can also be tried here, and biking and boating are available as well. The cities in Gangwon include the capital Chuncheon that is famous for its lakes and many festivals, shopping possibilities ,and restaurants. Of the other cities in Kangwon, Sokcho is a good gateway to Seorak-san National Park, while Gangneung is famous nationally for its historic attractions and beaches.
Gangwon or Kangwon-Do is a province of South Korea, located in the northeast part of the country. The high Taebak Mountains, valleys, forests, caves and sea shore of Gangwon make up impressive scenery to admire, and there are plenty of activities available for all seasons. The Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea divides the historic Gangwon region into two. Gangwon province is known in South Korea also for its agricultural products, fishing, and mineral resources.
Sights & activities in Gangwon: mountains, temples, trekking, golf & spas
Gangwon province offers a wide range of activities and scenic and historical attractions. The magnificent mountains of Seorak-san, Ode-san, and Chiak-san are national parks that are popular for trekking in Gangwon. The beautiful beaches of Gyeongpodae and Jeongdongjin and the impressive caves in Hwanseon and Yongyeon are also popular places to visit. The several natural spas in Gangwon are perfect for relaxation and healing treatments, and there are also several golf courses in Gangwon to try.Various historic attractions in Gangwon include the Gwongeumseong Fortress, Sinheungsa Temple, and Heundeulbawi Rock on Mount Seorak-san, Naksansa and Woljeongsa Buddhist Temples, museums, botanical gardens, and an art park. Nakshan Provincial Park is home to famous historical monuments, beaches and theme parks, while the vacation towns of Hongcheon, Pyeongchang, Wonju and Hoengseong offer a variety of outdoor activities.
Mountain activities. Skiing in Gangwon is great for example in Youngpyong ski resort and Odae-san Mountain, while rafting in Gangwon can be tried for example in Naerincheon Region, or Hantangang or Donggang rivers. A range of other adventure sports such as paragliding and bungy jumping can also be tried here, and biking and boating are available as well. The cities in Gangwon include the capital Chuncheon that is famous for its lakes and many festivals, shopping possibilities ,and restaurants. Of the other cities in Kangwon, Sokcho is a good gateway to Seorak-san National Park, while Gangneung is famous nationally for its historic attractions and beaches.
Photo: Taekwonweirdo, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Gangwon travel information and practical tips
The climate in Gangwon is temperate with four distinct seasons, of which the summer is wet and warm, and the winter is cold, dry and snowy. In autumn and spring, weather in Kangwon is sunny and relatively warm, making them good seasons to visit Gangwon. Winter sports are available from November to March.Traveling to Gangwon is easy by rail, road or air from elsewhere in South Korea. The local airport receives domestic flights to Gangwon, and trains and buses to Kangwon-do are available in all parts of South Korea. The province has an extensive public transport network with buses. Taxis are also widely available, and car rental in Gangwon is offered in the main cities of the province.
Visitor services. Hotels in Gangwon can be found in most towns and popular resort areas in the region, and other accommodation choices are also available. Restaurants in Gangwon offer mainly Korean cuisine, but some Japanese and international dishes are also offered. There are nightlife options in the main cities of the province, Chuncheon, Gangneung and Sokcho, and there is a popular casino in the province. Gangwon is a safe destination with very little crime. English is not spoken widely in Kangwon-do, so it is helpful for you to learn some phrases in Korean in advance.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Seoul
