How Do You Get From Seoul to Sokcho in Winter?

Sokcho is a port city of about 80,000 people in Gangwon Province, about 2.5 hours from Seoul by bus. Behind it rise the granite peaks of Seoraksan, and in front lies the East Sea. That mix of mountain, sea, lakes and fish market is why so many people come here on a weekend, and it works well in winter too.

• By bus. Direct express and intercity buses run from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Gangnam and from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, from early morning to evening. The ride takes about 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes. One-way fares are roughly 20,000 to 27,000 won, depending on the seat class. Book in the T-money GO app or at the terminal, and book early for weekends.
• Which terminal you arrive at. Express buses stop at the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, a short walk from Sokcho Beach. Intercity buses stop at the Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, further north in town.
• By train. There's no train to Sokcho yet. A high-speed line from Chuncheon is under construction and isn't expected to open for a few more years. If you'd rather ride the KTX, take it to Gangneung and continue north by intercity bus.

Once you're in town, local buses and taxis cover everything. Buses 7 and 7-1 run from downtown to the Seoraksan entrance in about 30 to 40 minutes.

What Should You Eat in Sokcho?

Food is the main reason many Koreans go to Sokcho, and winter is a good time to eat here. Plan your day around these three stops:

• Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market. This covered market in the center of town is the place for dakgangjeong, fried chicken glazed in a sweet, sticky, slightly spicy sauce. It's sold in boxes to share or take on the bus home. You'll also find fried seafood, hotteok and stalls selling dried squid and fish.
• Abai Village. The village sits on a sandbar across a narrow channel from downtown. It was settled by refugees from the north during the Korean War, and its restaurants still serve their food. Try ojingeo sundae, squid stuffed with rice, tofu and vegetables, then sliced and pan-fried in egg, and abai sundae, a pork sausage. Get there on the gaetbae, a small flat ferry the crew pulls across the channel by cable. The crossing takes about a minute.
• Daepo Port. South of town, this small harbor is lined with seafood stalls and restaurants. Go for raw fish, grilled shellfish and fried shrimp with a sea view. In late autumn and early winter, look for local winter fish such as sandfish and sand lance grilled at the port.

Many seafood restaurants price fish by weight. Ask for the price before you order, or choose a set menu.

Can You Visit Seoraksan in Winter?

Yes, and you don't need to be a hiker. The main entrance at Seorak-dong, a short bus ride from town, has easy options all winter.

• The Seorak cable car. It climbs to the rocky top of Gwongeumseong, with views over the peaks and down to the sea on a clear day. It doesn't run in strong wind or heavy snow, so check the official site on the morning you go. Expect lines at weekends.
• Sinheungsa Temple. A short walk from the entrance, the temple sits below a huge bronze seated Buddha. On a snowy morning, the roofs turn white against the granite cliffs.
• Biseondae. A mostly flat valley walk of about an hour each way, past frozen pools and rock walls.

Plan around closures. The Korea National Park Service closes many high and ridge trails in national parks from November 15 to December 15 each year, to prevent wildfires, and Seoraksan's upper trails are usually on the list. Steep trails can also close after heavy snow. The climb to Ulsanbawi is steep and icy in winter, so take it on only if you have good boots and crampons. For the park at its busiest, see our guide to Seoraksan's autumn foliage.

Where Are the Best Beaches and Lakes in Sokcho?

Sokcho's beaches are quiet in winter, and the cold, dry air makes the sea look darker and bluer. You'll see people walking rather than swimming.

• Sokcho Beach. The main beach is a short walk from the Express Bus Terminal, with a wide stretch of sand, pine trees and cafes behind it. It faces east, so it's an easy place for sunrise.
• Yeonggeumjeong. This small pavilion sits on rocks by the sea near Dongmyeong Port. It's another good sunrise spot, close to downtown.
• Yeongnangho Lake. This lagoon in the north of town has a flat path of about 8 kilometers around it, with Seoraksan behind the water. It's a good walk for a sunny winter afternoon.
• Cheongchoho Lake. This lagoon sits next to the harbor and Abai Village. The walk along its edge connects the market, the gaetbae ferry and the beach.

If you want more of the coast, Yangyang's surf beaches are about 30 minutes south, and Gangneung is about an hour away. See our Gangneung day trip guide for that part of the coast.

A One-Day and Two-Day Sokcho Itinerary for Winter

Winter days are short, with sunset around 5:15 p.m. in December, so start early.

A day trip works if you take a bus before 8 a.m. and book a return seat for about 7 p.m. With two days, you can catch the sunrise and see the mountains in the morning, when the light is best. For other easy winter escapes, see our guide to winter day trips from Seoul by train.