Explore diverse experiences in Gangwon State!
Gangwon State is a mountainous, coastal province in the northernmost part of South Korea that’s a hop and a skip away from Seoul. Thanks to its diverse terrains, it is home to some of the most beautiful and thrilling outdoor attractions, many of which made it earned its nickname as the Adventure Province of Korea.
Wondering what to do in Gangwon State during your visit? We’re here with a helping hand! Check out our picks for the best things to do and places to visit in Gangwon!
10 things to do in Gangwon 🍁🦙
1. Explore the charming Chuncheon city
Surrounded by hills, lakes, and picturesque landscapes, Chuncheon is Gangwon's charming capital city that promises a change of scenery within close proximity of Seoul. It's not just popular amongst tourists, but also locals in need of a spontaneous weekend getaway.
If you're here for lunch or dinner, be sure to have a taste of Chuncheon's specialty dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken)! There's a Dakgalbi Street lined with restaurants specialising in dakgalbi and soba noodles, as well as a Cafe Street and plenty of duty-free shopping outlets in the city.
💡 Book a Gangwon private car charter on Klook to get around Gangwon easily, with customisable stops to travel at your own pace ✨
2. Visit the iconic Nami Island
Nami Island (Namiseom) is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Gangwon, offering a breath of fresh air thanks to its avenues framed by trees. Featuring picture-perfect scenery all year round (especially in spring and autumn), Nami Island exploded in popularity after being featured as the filming location of hit K-drama Winter Sonata.
Besides strolling through its beautiful tree lanes and winding paths, you can also embark on adrenaline-pumping activities like riding an 80-meter high zipwire and motorboating.
3. Go on a K-WAVE TOUR in Gangneung
Youngjin Beach, iconic filming location of Goblin
BTS Bus Stop at Hyangho Beach
Nestled on the east side of the Taebaek Mountains, Gangneung is the largest coastal city in Gangwon State. Known for its sandy beaches, fun outdoor activities, unique attractions, and fresh seafood, Gangneung is a charming, laid-back city with lots to see.
While Gangneung is not difficult to explore on your own, the ideal way to see the best sights is by booking a customised tour on Klook that will allow you to enjoy multiple hours of transportation and convenient access to popular locations in Gangneung!
If you're a fan of Kpop and Kdramas, we'd highly recommend stopovers at iconic hotspots such as Hyangho Beach (where you can take photos at the BTS bus stop!), Youngjin Beach (well-known filming location of the Goblin Kdrama), Anmok Café Street (a half-kilometre stretch lined with about 40 cozy cafes), and more.
4. Meet fluffy alpacas from Alpaca World
If you’re an animal lover thinking of what to do in Gangwon, Alpaca World is your best bet! This experiential zoo lets you interact with the cutest alpacas, all living in a pristine natural environment worthy of gracing your Instagram feed.
Fun fact: it’s also a filming site for many Korean dramas and variety shows! 🦙🎬
💡 Klook Tip: When you book the Alpaca World, Nami Island & Rail Bike Day Tour on Klook, you’ll also get to visit Nami Island and go on the Gangchon Rail Bike, where you can marvel at Eastern Korea’s beauty on a rail bike.
5. Try canoeing at Chuncheon Mulle-gil
The state of Gangwon is blessed with plenty of scenic rivers and lakes in Chuncheon Mulle-gil, all of which are best enjoyed by canoeing. You can do this on through a professionally-guided experience, where you’ll learn about canoe paddling safety from the pro instructor before your journey starts. After your canoe trip, you can unwind with a drink and snack from the nearby cafe and learn more about the water activity at the canoe exhibit.
7. Go skiing in PyeongChang county
Photo Credit: Republic of Korea on Flickr (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0))
Pyeongchang is notable for hosting the Winter Olympics in 2018 and its numerous events, such as snowboarding and skiing. Nowadays, you can visit its famous ski resorts and glide down the slopes for fun. Ski enthusiasts will enjoy going to resorts like YongPyong Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in South Korea, and Alpensia Ski Resort, which sits 700 meters high and is reminiscent of the Alps.
💡 Book a Pyeongchang private car charter on Klook to get to these ski resorts easily from Seoul, inclusive of a professional driver and optional add-on airport transfer ⛷
7. Feel the rush and go river rafting in Naerincheon
Photo Credit: roya ann miller (@royaannmiller) on Unsplash
If you’re an adventure junkie contemplating what to do in Gangwon, then head to Naerincheon, a stream that produces crazy rapid sub-streams, perfect for rafting and kayaking. Thanks to the surrounding picture-perfect flora, river rafting in Naerincheon is a two-in-one adventure and sightseeing experience!
8. Go hiking at the mountainous national parks
Photo Credit: Seoraksan - JJChoi on Pixabay
82% of Gangwon State is a glorious, scenic mountainous terrain that is a haven for hikers. One of the best places to hike is Seoraksan National Park, which Seoraksan (Korean for snowy peak mountain) is part of. The park has a variety of trails adorned with breathtaking scenery and vibrant flora. Another great option is Odaesan National Park, home to Korea’s largest natural forest filled with plant and animal life.
Travelling to Gangwon in autumn? This Seoraksan National Park Autumn Day Tour will bring you on an unforgettable foliage-searching adventure! 🍁
9. Have a splashing good time at the water parks
Photo Credit: Dushan Hanuska on Flickr (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0))
South Korea has a 2,413-kilometre coastline, giving it an abundance of water activity destinations such as water parks. If you’re thinking of what to do in Gangwon that takes advantage of this, you can visit its amazing water parks, including Vivaldi Park Ocean World and Waterpia Waterpark. This Egyptian-themed attraction has slides and pools fashioned after the sphinxes and pyramids. Another great one is Blue Canyon in PyeongChang, with Mediterranean-themed attractions.
10. Go on an extreme sports escapade in Inje
Photo Credit: Jéan Béller (@jeanbeller) on Unsplash
Inje is a county in Gangwon filled with valleys, mountains, parks, and natural landscapes perfect for daring adventures combined with the best of nature views! Here you can go bungee jumping, paragliding, rafting, climbing an artificial waterfall, and more.
Plan your Gangwon adventure with Klook! 💡
Now that you’ve read about all these fun attractions, you can pause thinking of what to do in Gangwon State and start planning your trip!
💡 Klook Tip 💡 Install the Klook app now to get the latest updates on the best travel deals made just for you! You'll also get 5% off your first app booking when you use the promo code <BETTERONAPP>. T&Cs apply.
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Klook is a world-leading travel activity and service booking platform, covering over 400 destinations and over 100,000 travel services! Klook’s mission is to empower travellers around the world to discover, book, and experience the best things to do anywhere, anytime, including attractions, activities, car rentals, tours, local transfers, wifi, and SIM cards. 🧡
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