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Incheon combines a bustling modern metropolitan city of just under 3 million with the beaches of Yeongjong Island and prehistoric artifacts of Ganghwa Island. The city borders Seoul to the east, with a long history that dates back nearly 5,000 years. You'll find historic attractions along with thriving shopping, dining, and entertainment scenes.
Gangneung
Gangneung in Gyeonggi-do (South Korea)
Gangneung
Gangneung guide
What to do in Gangneung
Take a stroll along Gyeongpo Beach
There are plenty of beaches to choose from on South Korea’s peninsula and Gyeongpo Beach is one the most popular ones on the East coast for watching the sunrise. There are not a lot of activities here but that is part of it’s charm. You can take a stroll on the golden sandy beach or along the boardwalk among the pine trees. You will find plenty of swing benches dotted along the beach to rest on along the way or you can chill at a coffee shop (that conveniently serves beer and opens until late in the evening). When the hunger pangs start, there are enough fresh seafood restaurants to choose from. Why not try some abalone juk (congee, a savoury rice pudding like dish) or soft tofu stew, a regional specialty. Some restaurants are open 24 hours a day so you will never go hungry.
Cycle around the lake and village
Uniquely, the Gyeongpo area has access to both the sea and a lake within a 5-minute walk of each other. A popular activity is to walk or cycle the path that goes around the perimeter of Gyeongpo Lake (경포호). On the south side of the lake are parks and wetlands that can be explored via a network of boardwalks. Don’t miss Gyeongpodae Pavilion, a peaceful resting spot which offers stunning views of the lake from up high. Another interesting place to explore is the quiet village behind the pavillion where you will find little houses and vegetable plots of napa cabbages, leeks and daikon. Look out for a giant coffee cup on the rooftop of one of the buildings; the restaurant here serves delicious soy bean paste stew.
Step back in time at the Charmsori Gramophone & Edison Science Museum
The founder of this museum is a Thomas Edison fan and has an epic collection of the inventor’s pieces. To give you an idea, there are five halls worth of exhibits, including 4500 gramophones and countless light bulbs. You can either wander around the museum at your own pace or you can join a tour.
Open up your senses at Jungang Market
There are no shortages of traditional markets in South Korea. But while some have shifted their focus to cater for tourist, this one is a proper locals market. Jungang Market promises to send your senses on a journey and is a great place to wander and people watch. Traders selling dried fish, ginseng, chillies, fruits, vegetables and more fill up the bulk of the market. And then there’s the street food. Once you get a whiff of the street food then there’s no holding back – assorted twigim (튀김; deep fried food), odeng (오뎅; fish cakes), beef patties and hotteok (호떡; cinnamon sugar filled pancakes) – all the usual suspects are here and more. There’s even an aisle dedicated to beef head bone soup!
Feel youthful in Gangneung city
Jungang Market is located in the heart of the city and although small, it will have enough to keep you occupied and is a popular spot for students. The city offers any fashion and accessories boutiques, arcade games and more street food. You can also try your hand at Korean pool, a pocketless game, or hang out for hours in board game cafes.
Shows in Gangneung
The city of Gangneung has several festivals, and the most famous and large is Dano in the fairground near the Namdae River. In 1967, the Dano festival was listed as Korea's cultural heritage No. 13. On November 11 it was designated by UNESCO as the Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Today, it is a combination of commemoration rites and several traditional works. The highlight is the traditional Gwanno mask dance, which is only performed in this festival.
In addition to the festivals known as the Dano, there are several more recent festivals in Gangneung, as the IJAF (International Junior Art Festival) enjoys great popularity. The IJAF is a cultural festival for young people from all over the world, it is held once a year, at the beginning of August and lasts four days with 300 participants from seven nations and more than 500 visitors per night.
Climate in Gangneung
Gangneung has a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures of cool winters and hot, humid summers. Gangneung is a coastal city, generally the winters are milder and the summers relatively cooler than the rest of South Korea. It is surrounded by mountains to the west and the sea to the east.
