Enjoying Winter Sea and Snow Mountain

Sokcho is a port city of tourism and maritime experience marked by dreams, romance, and fun. A major port city on the east coast, the city offers an outstanding landscape of Seorak Mountain that renews itself in four seasons of the year, clean blue waters of the East Sea, time to see busy lives of fishermen and lakes and springs that emit mysteries of primeval times.

Seorak Mountain is a natural work of art. The mountain is adorned with thodendrons and wild flowers in spring, thick and green foliage in summer, autumn tints in fall, and dazzling snow in winter. Designated as the Precious Natural Product No. 171, in 1965 and as the 5th National Park, in 1970, Seorak Mountain and its vicinity was also assigned as a unique biological reserve zone of rare life’s habitat in Korea on Aug.12, 1982 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Daecheongbong is the tallest peak of Seoraksan Mountain (1,708m). It marks the point where Nae-Serok (inner Serok) meets Oe-Serok (outer Serok). Daecheongbong (peak) is home to some 50 rare plants. People can find a group of Edelweiss and Anemone, to name a few, near Daecheong and Socheong. A good way to plan a hiking course of Mt. Seoraksan is to draw a line connecting the 4 points of Daecheongbong (peak), Madeungnyeong (peak), Daeseungnyeong (peak), and Jeombongsan (peak). Climbers can start from any one of the 4 bases; Serok-dong, the Baekdamsa Precinct, Osaek Precinct, or Jangsudae. People can also climb the course in reverse.

Sinheung Temple & Spa

Originally, Sinheung Temple in Sokcho was the subordinate temple of Geonbong Temple. However, in 1971, it was named the main temple of the 3rd district of the Korea Buddhist Jogye order. Currently, there are 20 subordinate temples under Sinheungsa. Geuknkbojeon, Bojeru, Jong-gak (bell pavillion), and Yosachae (Temple Dormitory) are some of the major edifices of Sinheungsa. Geuknakbojeon (Gangwon-do Tangible Cultural Asset No. 14) is virtually the main temple of Sinheungsa. This edifice is particularly famous for the beautifully shaped and colored roof. One cannot leave out the sarira pagoda in a Buddhist temple. At Sinheung Temple, there are 19 sarira pagodas and six monuments.

For those who love spas, Seorak Waterpia is a wonderful place. This complex is complete with various spas filled up with 3,040m/t of alkaline 49°… hot spring water, play facilities, and indoor & outdoor swimming pools. It’s a fun spa the whole family can enjoy all year round. The wave pool features artificial waves, making you feel as if you’re in the beach! The water slide is a must for kids. The outdoor spas with various features make you feel as if you’re in at the hot springs in Seorak Mountain. The complex is complete with restaurants, an outlook post, a health club, and a beauty parlor.

Beautiful Lake with Migratory Birds

Cheongcho Lake hosted the lnt’l Tourism Expo. At the Expo site, there is a symbolic tower that stands 74m high as well as an I-max theater. From this tower, the panorama of Cheongchoho Lake and Mt. Seorak form a great scene. The area is also famous for being a pleasant course for hiking. A popular TV series, “Fall Story” was filmed here. Symbolizing Gangwon-do’s development toward advanced future with the motif of nature, environment, and tourism, Expotower has spiral upward structure like a beautiful statue of woman.

A migratory bird habitat, Cheongcho Lake also cares for swans and seagulls over winter as well as ducks. The lake hosts 216 kinds of birds, recognized as an ecology park. Located in downtown supplied with Bird Lookout and information bulletins on various birds, the place provides precious learning experience for families.

The lake also accompanies neighboring Citizen Planting Park to add to magnificent view of the lake and Sokcho. Families can have a picnic at tables and benches on the grass, facilitated with an iron tower fountain, playground and bathroom.