Soaking up some Sun in Sokcho

Sand, Seafood and Seoraksan- three things that Sokcho can offer to those travel-hungry souls out there. Sokcho has got it all from picturesque mountains and crystal-clear beaches to fresh sea foods. Since Summer's here, Sokcho can offer the perfect beach get-away that can rival that of other famous beaches minus the over-crowded tourists. 

No wonder the 2015 Wow Korea Supporters Program decided to kick-start its first travel adventure at Sokcho. First stop is the majestic Seoraksan, most famous for the autumn foliage. But regardless of the changing season, Seoraksan is dubbed as a hiker's paradise because of the natural beauty of its rock formation. One can actually enjoy it's breath-taking view throughout the entire year. 

You can choose to either take the cable car or hike to witness the rock formation of the mountain. Sitting on the valley floor near the entrance to the national park is a 108-ton bronze Buddha of Shin-heung-sa temple. Dating back to the 7th century, it's considered as one of the oldest Zen ("Seon" in Korean) temples in the world. 

For those who don't have the luxury of time, the best way to view the mountain range is by riding a cable car. Taking the cable car offers an amazing vantage view of Seoraksan and can take you to the top of Gwongeumseong fortress which is called Bonghwadae, a 10-minute walk from the cable car exit. 

Unfortunately, online booking of tickets is not possible so going there early to avoid the queue is your best option.  The operating hours of the cable car is from 08:30 ~ 18:30. There's a 5-10 minute interval per ride and all tickets are sold as round trip. 

You can check out this link to see the entire cable car ride. 

https://goo.gl/LbhvMA

Directions from Seoul: From the metro, get off at Gangbyeon Station and right across the station is Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. A ticket upto Sokcho Terminal costs 17, 300 won and the entire trip takes about 2 hours.Once you reach Sokcho Bus Terminal, get off at So Gong Won bus stop (소공원 버스 정류장) fare is 1,100 won. 

After enjoying the luscious green of Seoraksan, time to marvel at the refreshing cool blue waters of the beaches. The next stop is 아바이마을 (Elderly People's Village), historically, a small settlement for refugees of the Korean war but currently thriving due to abundance of seafood from East Sea (according to Koreans) or Sea of Japan. 

Fun Fact: Many scenes from the popular Korean drama  Autumn in My Heart (가을동화) were shot in this village featuring the harbor and the Gaetbae Boat . The main way to get across the downtown market involves riding Gaetbae Boat (갯배) which operates by manually pulling a cable to sail the small wooden raft boat. 

This area prides itself for having the freshest seafoods that can even rival that of Busan market. 아바이마을 is a mecca of seafood restaurants.  The specialty dish of this area is 순대 (Sundae or Korean Sausage), a very popular korean dish made from boiling pork intestine, blood and noodles. There are several types of Sundae but it is my first time to eat 명태 순대 (made from fish) and 오징오 순대 (made with octopus). It surprisingly tastes better than the pork version. 

https://goo.gl/PMUNL8

One of the best restaurants that serves this culinary delight is 함경도순대. A small but cozy restaurant that offers a wide variety of 순대. Just pick one and fill in to your heart's content. Not to miss out also is their 순대 국수, a perfect balance of freshness and spiciness.

Rating: 5/5 stars

But if you are still up for more seafood options, head off to 차현희 청국장 which specializes in 순두부 (soft tofu stew), mixed with vegetables, mushroom, and different kinds of seafoods ranging from octopus, fish and clams. The softness of the tofu creates a perfect backdrop for the rest of the ingredients.

Rating: 4/5

If you are curious how these restaurants prepare their specialty dishes and wants to see for yourself the freshest ingredients that they use, you are in for a treat at the downtown wet market. Rows and rows of alive seafood are on display and up for sale. 

But Sokcho harbor is not only famous for its seafood, their street food is also a major tourist attraction. And the award for the top 3 must-try street food in 속초 아바이 마을 goes to:
1. 만석 닭 강정 (17,000 W/box) -chicken
2. 아이스크림 붕어빵 (3,500 W) -fish-shaped bread with ice cream filling
3. 호떡 (1,000 W) -traditional korean pancake

The fried chicken with sweet and spicy sauce has been featured several times in major TV shows and a proof is a long line of people waiting to get their turn just to taste the famous chicken. For those looking for a sugar rush, 아이스크림 붕어빵 and  호떡 can definitely satisfy your sweet cravings. The fish-shaped bread filled with vanilla ice cream and sweetened condensed milk at the bottom is a heavenly treat. The sweet red bean filling in 호떡 complements the hot crust of the bread that will surely make you come back for more. Well, you can have as much as you want because these street foods are so deliciously tasty and cheap.

Directions: From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, take city bus 7-1 or 9-1 and get off at City Hall (10 min ride). 

Walk 5 min and take a boat on the way to Cheongho-dong.

After an adventurous day, what better way to cap the night off than having a cup of coffee at the beach while watching the sunset. And the best thing? You can do this and go visit Santorini without going to Greece! Yes, you can have a taste of Santorini right here in Korea! 

This is Santorini coffee shop modeled after the white-washed design of Santorini. It's right along Anmok beach too where people can watch a drama together in the huge LED screen while enjoying a cup of coffee. 

Anmok beach has a famous coffee shop street which is a haven for all coffee-lovers due to numerous coffee shops lined along the beach. The romantic atmosphere is perfect for couples who just want to enjoy a scenic view while drinking a cup of coffee. 

Bonus Clip! Check out our very own commercial produced right here at the coffee street! 

https://goo.gl/CfgaVa

To perfectly end the night, a Hanok stay would be your best bet if you want to experience an authentic Korean culture. If you're a fan of Korean historical dramas, you've probably seen some different kinds of Hanok. Hanok is a Korean traditional house designed according to landscape scenery, social background (during the old period) and region. If you wanna try this unique experience, I highly recommend staying at Gangneung Seongyojang at Unjeong-dong, Gangwon Province. With a 300-year old history, the place is as real as it can get complete with the original construction material and architectural design used for Hanok. It is a fusion of modern and tradition. It includes modern facilities such as wi-fi, TV, ref, jacuzzi, kitchen utensils and laundry service. 

The Hanok experience is guaranteed to provide you a sense of tranquility and makes it possible for you to commune with nature with its impressive landscape. It is your home away from home, far from the bustles and daily grind of the city. The accommodation is a bit pricey but the experience is truly worth every penny. 

Room Rate: ￦ 100,000~ 

* The room rate is the lowest price for this accommodation. 

Rates may vary according to season, room type. 

Directions: From Gangneung Bus Terminal or Gangneung Station, take Bus 202.

Get off at Seongyojang (선교장). 

What could be better than strolling at the beach on a Sunday morning? Rail-biking! An automatic rail bike that runs along the entire stretch of Jeongdongjin Beach? Genius! The automatic railbike lets you enjoy the fresh breeze from the pristine beach letting you appreciate the splendid scenery of the deep blue sea. One will surely enjoy this fantastic experience with family and friends. This is one thrilling adventure that you shouldn't miss. There are two types of rail bikes: 2-person and 4-person bikes. The 2-person bikes are moved by foot pedals, while the 4-person bikes use hand-pedals in the front seats and foot-pedals in the back seat. Both the 2-person and the 4-person bikes can be set to run automatically, making it easily enjoyable by visitors of all ages. The ride takes about 40 minutes using the automatic mode and about an hour if pedaled manually. 

Fare: (2-seater bike) 20,000 won, (4-seater bike) 30,000 won

Rating: 5/5 

After the exciting ride, time to get some culture. From the natural sceneries, we'll go to some man-made masterpieces. Sokcho is not only rich in fantastic landscapes, it also has some world-class art facilities such as the Hassla Art World Museum. This is a museum where Art meets Heart. Whoever said that museums are boring has probably never been to Haslla Art World Museum. What makes this Museum unique is that it has a dedicated exhibit for Pinocchio from dolls, paintings, puppets, and installation art. What's more, it has a huge wedding hall that offers an astonishing scenery of a nearby beach and a garden trail that boasts of different species of flowers and plants.

I swear this is one of the best museums I've ever visited, no lies. ;) 

After feasting your eyes in the works of art in the Haslla Museum, make sure to indulge yourself in the healthy culinary delights at the Haslla Restaurant inside the museum. All ingredients are guaranteed fresh cultivated from the garden at the back of the museum. Who would have thought that vegetables can taste this good? Every culinary dish is so artfully prepared that each one is like a piece of art. They look too good just to be eaten.

Rating: 4/5

https://goo.gl/YlrZRT

Whatever particular attraction that you are looking for, Sokcho has got it all for you, may it be natural wonders, culinary delights, history and even art.  Sokcho has proven that it deserves a spot in the must-see places in Korea. It is like a mysterious lady that hides a number of charms beneath its veil. One must take a deep plunge into the heart of the city to discover the real gems that it has to offer. It's simplicity is what makes it more captivating. 

The 2015 Wow Korea Supporters' first trip is a huge success thanks to the dedicated organizers behind the program. Thank you for giving us an experience of a lifetime that is truly worth sharing. I look forward to more adventures together with the fun-loving, creative and extraordinary Wow Korea family. Travelling is not only about the places you visited, it is also about the people you travel with. Cheers to more remarkable journeys ahead!