Tips · South Korea

Gyeongpo Lake, Pavilion and Beach: a Half-Day Walk

The calm water of Gyeongpo Lake reflecting the sky and clouds.
Gyeongpo Lake · Photo: Mobius6 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A half-day Gangneung walk: Gyeongpodae Pavilion, the 4 km lagoon of Gyeongpo Lake and Gyeongpo Beach 1 km away, all free, plus buses and seasons.

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Short answer: Gyeongpodae → Gyeongpo Lake → Gyeongpo Beach, all free

Gyeongpo is the lake-and-sea area about 6 km north of Gangneung's city centre. Gyeongpodae Pavilion on its hill, the lagoon of Gyeongpo Lake (about 4 km around) and Gyeongpo Beach, 1 km from Gyeongpodae, sit close together, so they make an easy half-day on foot.

All three are open at all times and free. The full 2-day Gangneung route has its own article, so this one walks through the Gyeongpo part in detail.

Getting to Gyeongpo — city buses and the City Bus

Regular Gangneung city buses cost KRW 1,530 by transit card (KRW 1,700 cash). With a card you get up to 2 free transfers within 1 hour of getting off (not onto the same route number), and you must tap your card when you get off. Routes and real-time arrivals are on the Gangneung bus information system (bis.gn.go.kr).

To travel along the coast there is also the City (SEA TEA) Bus. It runs about 23 km from Anmok Beach via Songjeong, Gangmun, Gyeongpo and Sacheonjin to Jumunjin Beach, and Gangneung City says it runs daily from 08:00 every 40 minutes. The fare is the same as a city bus, with transfers to city buses. Service can change during events, so check notices on the bus information system.

From Gangneung Station, Anmok Beach is about 15 minutes by city bus or taxi. Route numbers can change, so ask the Gangneung Station tourist information centre (033-642-8692) which bus goes to Gyeongpo. Free self-driving tourist vehicles also link major sights; reserve on the day and board with a QR mobile ticket.

Gyeongpodae: start high, looking over the lake and the sea

Gyeongpodae is a pavilion designated as national heritage and one of Gangneung's best-known scenic spots. It is said to have been first built in the 13th year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo, and it holds writings by many notable figures, including 'Gyeongpodaebu', said to have been written by Yulgok Yi I at age 10.

From its raised site you can see Gyeongpo Lake and the sea at once. Climbing up before you start walking lets you see where the lake and the beach are, which makes the rest of the route easier to plan. Open all year, free.

Gyeongpo Lake: about 4 km around, with pines and cherry trees

Gyeongpo Lake is a lagoon separated from the sea by a sandbar. It is now about 4 km around and known for the pines and cherry trees around it. It is open at all times and free, so you can walk as much of it as your time allows.

In spring a cherry blossom festival is held around Gyeongpodae and Gyeongpo Lake. Bloom timing and festival dates change every year, so check the official bloom and festival information before you go.

Cherry trees in bloom along Gyeongpo Lake, below Gyeongpodae Pavilion on a pine-covered hill.
Cherry blossoms at Gyeongpo Lake · Photo: Scroozle / CC BY-SA 3.0

Gyeongpo Beach, Chodang and Gangmun: on toward the sea

Gyeongpo Beach is 1 km from Gyeongpodae and is called the largest beach on the east coast. Its 1.8 km of white sand is backed by 4 km of pine forest, so you can switch between the sand and the pines as you walk. It is open at all times and free.

Swimming is allowed only during each beach's official season. There are no lifeguards before the season opens or at night, so you can't go in the water then. Showers cost KRW 3,500 in swimming season.

Chodang Tofu Village and Gangmun Beach are close by. Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) is said to date from when Heo Yeop (pen name Chodang), a mid-Joseon magistrate of Gangneung, had tofu made with seawater as the coagulant. The Gyeongpo tourist information centre (033-640-4531) is open 09:00–18:00 and has staff who interpret English, Japanese and Chinese.

When to walk — seasonal climate normals

By Korea Meteorological Administration normals (Gangneung station, 1991–2020), average highs are about 18–25°C in April-June and September-October (about 18°C in April, 23°C in May, 25°C in June, 25°C in September and 20°C in October). For a long half-day on foot, these months are comfortable.

In July and August average highs are about 28°C and 29°C, and August (about 293 mm) is the month with the most rain of the year. In summer you can add a swim during each beach's official season. From December to February average lows are about -1°C, -3°C and -1°C, so bring warm clothes.

With time to spare, add Ojukheon and Seongyojang

The guide notes that Ojukheon and Gyeongpodae are near Seongyojang, so the three fit into one day. Add the two historic houses before or after the Gyeongpo walk and you have a full day.

Ojukheon is where Yulgok Yi I and his mother, Shin Saimdang, were born; it is open 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00), adults KRW 3,000, free for 65 and over. Seongyojang is a 99-kan upper-class house, open 09:00–18:00 March–October and 09:00–17:00 November–February, closed Seollal and Chuseok, adults KRW 5,000. Fees and opening hours can change, so check official information before you go.

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FAQ

How long is a loop of Gyeongpo Lake?

Gyeongpo Lake is about 4 km around. Gyeongpo Beach is 1 km from Gyeongpodae, with 1.8 km of white sand and 4 km of pine forest.

Is there an entry fee for the Gyeongpo walk?

Gyeongpodae, Gyeongpo Lake and Gyeongpo Beach are all open at all times and free. Only the showers in swimming season cost KRW 3,500.

When do the Gyeongpo cherry blossoms bloom?

A cherry blossom festival is held around Gyeongpodae and Gyeongpo Lake in spring, but bloom timing and festival dates change every year. Check the official bloom and festival information before you go.

How do I get from Gangneung Station to Gyeongpo by bus?

City bus routes to Gyeongpo can change, so check the Gangneung bus information system (bis.gn.go.kr) or the Gangneung Station tourist information centre. The City (SEA TEA) Bus, which runs along the coast, also passes Gyeongpo.

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