Credit: Tourism Policy Division, Gangneung City Hall

The refreshing beach with a fragrant pine forest where the RIIZE members voted for their first boss is Deungmyeong Beach in Gangneung. Although popular with locals, the beach is relatively unknown to tourists. It offers a long, 800-meter stretch of find sand and a clear sea that sparkles like emeralds under the sun. A 30-minute walk will take you to Jeongdongjin Station, one of the most popular spots for Koreans to watch the sunrise, and also listed in the Guinness World Records as the train station closest to the sea.

② Bada Maeul Hoetjib

Located near Deungmyeong Beach, this seaside restaurant offers a menu filled with the freshest collection of seafood. You can enjoy snow crabs and sashimi (saengseonhoe) against the idyllic backdrop the sea, pine trees, and a railway line. The RIIZE members were amazed by the variety and portion sizes of the dishes on offer. Order the Seaside Lunch Special (jeomsim-bada-teukseon) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and enjoy sushi, fermented crabs (gejang), seasoned sashimi in cold soup (mulhoe) and spicy sashimi salad (hoemuchim) with a variety of Korean side dishes for just KRW 20,000 per person. The restaurant even offers a free pickup shuttle service across Jeongdongjin, making it easy for tourists without a car to visit.

③ Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum

Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum is home to the Geumgang pine and a wide range of other native plant species, and is a place where you can enjoy relaxing walks and other activities in the forest. Follow the well-maintained trails to take a tour of the gardens, greenhouses, and the observatory, and take part in the various programs on offer, including curated forest tours, gardening, and wood craft workshops. Covering some 800,000 square meters in total area, the vast forest was used as a scenic backdrop for a race on Boss RIIZE.

④ Green Suchaehwa Pension

In recent years, Yangyang has become a surfing mecca and a favorite destination for young Koreans in the recent years. Green Suchaehwa Pension offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-filled beaches and city center, as it is nestled in a mountain valley. Guests have raved about the lodge, praising its clean and charming rooms as well as its many amenities, including a café, an outdoor fireplace with chairs, sauna, and swimming pool.

⑤ Sisilli

Credit: Sisilli

Credit: Sisilli

Sisilli specializes in all things duck, including soy sauce bulgogi, spicy seasoned ros, smoked duck (hunje), boiled duck (baeksuk) and a set menu of leafy vegetable wraps (ssambap). The restaurant is not far from Surfyy Beach, the most popular tourist destination in Yangyang, but it attracts families as well as surfers. The loess-covered walls and the large old-style stove in the middle of the dining room add to the rustic charm of the place. The grilled pork ribs (doejigalbi) are also popular for their sweet and savory sauce.

[Sisilli]

• Address: 30, Songi-ro, Hyeonbuk-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원특별자치도 양양군 현북면 송이로 30)
• Inquiries: +82-33-672-7764
• Operating Hours: 11:00-22:00 (except for the break, from 15:00 to 17:00)

⑥ Hajodae Coffee

• 

  Credit: Hajodae Coffee
• 

  Credit: Hajodae Coffee

Located on Hajodae Beach, this café offers a panoramic view of the ocean and a number of photogenic features, including an open rooftop and outdoor terraces. The Hajodae Coffee is the signature item on the menu, featuring a latte with a rectangular vanilla ice cream bar, known as Excellent® in Korea. The menu also features a number of other unique items as well, including a chocolate croissant that is best enjoyed with cream cheese and the Hajodae Cocktail, made with handmade fruit syrups and gin.

[Hajodae Coffee]

• Address: 48-55, Hajodae 2-gil, Hyeonbuk-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원특별자치도 양양군 현북면 하조대2길 48-55)
• Inquiries: +82-507-1393-0931
• Operating Hours: 10:00-18:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays; 10:00-17:00 on Saturdays
• Website: Visit website

More info

• 1330 Korea Travel Helpline: +82-2-1330
• 1330 Text Chat: https://m.site.naver.com/1rEid
• (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian)

* This column was last updated in September 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.