Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Skywalker26]

I have a friend from overseas coming to visit and I want to take her to Seokcho beach. I live in Seoul...what is the best/cheapest/quickest way to get there?

cheers.

[JacktheCat]

Unless you have a car, the ONLY way (apart from flying) is to take the bus.

Good news is that buses are frequent and cheap. Takes around 3 and half hours to get from Seoul to Sokcho.

[VanIslander]

You could PM somebody who lives there: Schwa

I recommend you travel down or up the coast to at least Gyeongju or Ulsan and take advantage of the many great beaches, nice coastline and excellent bus system.

That's my plan for the Chusok holidays in September.

[schwa]

You can catch an express bus from either Gangnam or Dongseoul terminal, dont worry about schedules just show up & there'll be one leaving shortly. About 20000 won & the terminal here is a 3-minute stroll from Sokcho Beach.

There are also intercity buses out of Dongseoul -- about 15000 won, just as comfortable, & I think the backroads are more scenic. Usually quicker than the express buses too. That would drop you downtown here, a short cabride from Sokcho Beach.

Sokcho Beach is packed during prime vacation season -- I quite like it for that, great for people-watching. Naksan just south of here is a much larger beach, lots of activities, also a people-magnet in summer. Haila Beach just north of here is a little quieter with nice facilities.

In fact there are dozens of sandy beaches along the northeast coast, all the way up to North Korea & easily got to by city bus.

Don't forget Seorak Park if you come out this way. A 20-minute local busride up into the mountains & the scenery is awesome.

[Grotto]

if you go to the beach during the summer it is a good idea to invest in one of those sun shelter tentlike thingamabobs. Get to the beach early, pick a good spot set up your shelter and have a great day.

Oh yeah the beachfront restuarants and convienience stores are very expensive in comparison to most other places. I payed 7000 won for a green tea. I think I confused them as I kept looking for the samgapsal to go with it

[Saxiif]

There's some midnight buses out of Express Bus Terminal in Kangnam with nice big comfy seats that go to Sokcho...

[skinhead]

schwa wrote:

[sadsac]

Bus is the easiest and most convenient. You can fly into Yang Yang airport, morning and afternoon flights from Kimpo and then a 20 minute bus ride to Sokcho. Naksan is very beautiful too.

[JacktheCat]

Although few people go to them, there are a few non-nature related things to see and explore in and around Sokcho.

Like Naksansa, a cool Buddhist temple on a cliff overlooking the ocean, numerous battle sites from the Korean War (the Punchbowl, Heartbreak Ridge, etc.) and Kim Il Sung's vacation villa. Apparently, back before the Korean war, when the border was further south, Sokcho was the favorite vacation spot of the Great Leader. At the museum there are some surreal pictures of Kim Il Sung and a baby Kim Jong Il frolicking on Sokcho beach.

[mack the knife]

The beaches just south of Gangneung are much better than those you'll find near Seokcho. Cleaner, and less speedo-induced retina burn.

[lao_ocean_girl]

Yeah, the beaches near Kangneung are nice, but I live here, so I'd like to visit other beaches around this area.

If I take a bus to Sokcho, how do I get to Naksan beach from there? What city bus number? How much is a taxi ride vs. a city bus?

P.S. If anyone is coming to Kangneung for a weekend, I can give you some information about what to do, etc.

[schwa]

The Gangneung - Sokcho bus will drop you off at Naksan. Just inform the driver.