Samcheok
Samcheok (삼척) is a city in the southernmost region of Gangwon-do. It reaches out to the east coast, and Uljin in Gyeongsangbuk-do to the south. You can enjoy a romantic time by the blue ocean and mysterious caves.
Understand
[edit]Samcheok is located in the southeastern part of Gangwon State. The length of the coastline facing the East Sea reaches 104.5 km. The population is about 69,000 (2017).
Tourist office
[edit]Next to the express bus terminal is an information booth, right on the sidewalk. They are extremely helpful and will give you maps and schedules in English.
- Samcheok City website in English)
Map of Samcheok
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]Nonstop buses to Samcheok Express Bus Terminal leave every 40 to 50 minutes from Seoul Express Bus Terminal. On weekdays, the first bus departs at 06:30 and the last at 23:30. There are also 15 services daily from Dong (East) Seoul Bus Terminal to Samcheok between 07:10 and 20:05. Check to make sure the buses are the kind with three seats across instead of four, they are the same price but much more comfortable.
By car
[edit]If you’re planning to drive from Seoul, take the Yeongdong Expressway to Gangneung junction, then get onto the Donghae (East Sea) Expressway to Donghae. National Road No. 7 will then take you to Samcheok.
Get around
[edit]There are city and regional buses that go to all of the tourist sites and usually leave every hour from a bus stop alongside the back of the city bus terminal. To get to the caves, a ticket must be purchased inside the terminal. For the penis park and Youngwha beach you pay on the bus. Taxis are also plentiful and relatively cheap. The main downtown area is a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
See
[edit]Although a number of caves have been discovered throughout Samcheok, their interiors are deceptively fragile, and so only these two, both part of Daei ri County Park, are open to the public. They are ‘Hwanseongul’ and ‘Daegeumgul’.
- Hwanseon Cave (환선굴). You can reach the entrance of Hwanseon Cave after passing the ticket office, several traditional houses, a bridge, waterfall, and 398 iron stairs. 448 wild plants grow around the cave. It is also possible to take a monorail ride after the ticket office (return ticket ₩5,000, one-way ₩3,000), but this is not really worth it, and if busy will take longer than walking (walk is about 30 minutes from the ticket office). It takes about 1 hour to see the inner side of the cave which is open from 08:30 to 17:00 during the winter season (Nov-Feb), and from 08:00 to 19:00 during the summer season (Mar-Oct). The price for an entrance ticket is ₩4,000. Stories surrounding the stream abound. One popular legend has it that a beautiful woman used to appear at a waterfall near Daei ri village to bathe. But when she was approached by the villagers one day, she disappeared. Lightning struck, rocks tumbled, and the lady turned into a cave. Believing that she must have been a seonnyeo (fairy), the villagers named the cave Hwanseongul or reborn deity. Also the Hwanseongul Cave has a bridge of confessions and you’ll see a sign inviting you to confess your sins.
- Daegeum Cave (대금굴), 800 Hwanseon-ro, Singi-myeon (강원 삼척시 신기면 환선로 800), ☏ +82 33-541-7600. Nov-Feb 09:30~16:00; Mar-Oct 09:00~17:00. Daegeum begins with a monorail ride uphill. The Daegeum monorail offers a seven minute journey. Daegeumgul Cave’s monorail carries visitors into a hidden underworld, passing beautiful stalactites and rock formations on the way. Be sure to book this in advance, as in high season it might be fully booked. Booking can be done at the Tourist information booth outside the bus station. Adult ₩12,000, teenager ₩9,000, child ₩6,000.
- 1 Miin Falls (미인폭포), 10, Gus 1-gil, Dogye-eup. When river water originating from the Shimpori Ubosan Valley flows and there are few water droplets hitting a cliff, it is like a fountain, and the big one is a waterfall that reminds people of snow mountain. There is also a legend about waterfalls.
- 2 Haesindang Park (해신당공원), 1852-6 Haesindang Park, Samcheok-ro, Wondeok-eup, ☏ +82 033-572-4429. 09:00-18:00. It is a place where people can take a walk along the pine tree trail along the park. In addition, there is an exhibition hall where people can feel the life of fishing villages. Adult (individual) ₩3000, adult (group) ₩2000.
- 3 Samcheok City Museum (삼척시립박물관), Samcheok City Museum, Expo-ro 54, ☏ +82 033-575-0768. 09:00 - 18:00. It is a museum that exhibits cultural relics and folk cultural materials of Samcheok and other southern Gangwon-do, and opened on March 29, 2000. Free.
- 4 Jangho Beach (장호해수욕장), Geundeok-myeon, Samcheok-si. There is Yonghwa Beach in between, so it is also called Yonghwa Jangho Beach, and there is Jangho Port on the right, so you can enjoy fresh seafood at a cheap price.
- 5 Yonghwa Beach (용화해수욕장), Geundeok-myeon, Samcheok-si. There is Jangho Port nearby, so you can buy fresh seafood at a low price, and you can also tour the cave by cruise ship. Wolmido Island, which is composed of three large rock islands in front of the beach, has many fish, so you can enjoy fishing.
- 6 Maengbang Beach (맹방해수욕장), Geundeok-myeon, Samcheok-si. It is called Samcheok's first beach due to its wide white sand beach, shallow water, and gentle slope, and it is well equipped with convenience facilities compared to other beaches. Free.
- 7 Samcheok Monorail (삼척모노레일), 889 Hwanseon-ro, Singi-myeon, ☏ +82 033-541-2621. Mar-Oct: 09:00-17:00; Nov-Feb 09:30-16:00. It started operating in April 2010. So, it became easier to see the Hwanseonggul Cave and the Daegeumgul Cave. Round trip (adult, adolescent) ₩7000, one-way (adult, adolescent) ₩4000, round trip (elementary school students) ₩3000, one-way (elementary school students) ₩2000.
- 8 Eungbongsan (응봉산), Punggok-ri, Gagok-myeon. Scattered with numerous waterfalls and deep cows, the valley is known for being a highly adventurous hiking destination for amateur climbers. The scenery is great, but the hiking trail is rugged.
- 9 Samcheok Beach (삼척해수욕장), Gyodong, Samcheok-si, ☏ +82 033-570-4401. Behind the beach, pine forests are dense, and there are sushi restaurants, guest houses, and hotels nearby. On the southern beach, there is a small scale of Hujin Beach, where you can enjoy swimming and fishing at the same time.
- 10 Jusearu (죽서루), 9-3 Seongnae-dong (10 minutes on foot from Samcheok Express Terminal), ☏ +82 033-570-3670. 09:00-18:00. It has long been known as a scenic spot because of its outstanding scenery. It was also designated as Korea's National Treasure No. 213 in 1963. It is designated as the eight scenic views of Kanto. Free.
- 11 Beach Sculpture Park (비치조각공원), 326 New Millennium Road, ☏ +82 033-572-2011. 24 hr. One of the main attractions along the Millennium Coastal Road is the octagonal pavilion after passing through a dense pine forest, where visitors can enjoy sea views and the Millennium Road. Small concert halls located by the sea sometimes hold performances. Free.
- 12 Samcheok Vitality Healing Forest (삼척활기치유의숲), 651-230 Jungyeong-gil, Miro-myeon, ☏ +82 033-571-2600. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00 (closed M). It is a forest created to provide forest healing services to the people by utilizing the phytoncide, anion, landscape, and sound of the forest.
- 13 Leesabusaja Park (이사부사자공원), 343, Surobuinbu-gil, ☏ +82 033-570-4616. 24 hr. The space was created to commemorate the achievements of General Isabu during the Shilla Dynasty. Inside the park, you can feel the history while walking along various sculptures and trails. Also, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea off Samcheok.
- 14 Mugeon-ri Moss Falls (무건리 이끼폭포), Mugeon-ri, Dogye-eup. It features a view of a waterfall that flows coolly with moss-covered rocks in a dense forest.
- 15 Dogye Wood World (도계나무나라), 893-46, Nambu-ro, Gangwon-do, Dogye-eup, ☏ +82 033-570-4201. Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 (closed M. A variety of attractions and experience programs are prepared to help you understand trees more interestingly and informally
- 16 Bunam Beach (부남해수욕장), Bunam-ri, Geundeok-myeon. The natural environment is well preserved, and visitors can do not only bathing but also fishing on the rocks of the seashore.
- 17 Jeungsan Beach (증산해수욕장), Jeungsan-dong, ☏ +82 033-570-4547. Adjacent to Chuam Beach located in Donghae-si, visitors can see the sunrise of Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock at a glance, and there is a winter sea harmonized with a flock of seagulls.
- 18 Wonpyeong Beach (원평해수욕장), Maewon, Geundeok-myeon. There is a dense pine forest in the back, and a marine rail bike passes by. It was selected as one of the 50 quiet beaches selected by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
- 19 Sinnam Beach (신남해수욕장), Galnam-ri, Wondeok-eup. It is a small beach facing National Route 7, 30km south of Samcheok. The length of the beach is about 100 m, which is small and compact, with a sand field of about 100m, and there are many seashores beyond it.
- 20 Galnam Port (갈남항), 99-20 Galnam-ri, Wondeok-eup. There are abundant seafood, numerous sea rocks, and clear sea water.
- 21 Shinum Mountain (쉰움산), Naemiro-ri, Miro-myeon. Autumn leaves and wild flowers bloom in spring. There are also shelters and observation decks around.
- 22 Samcheok Rose Park (삼척장미공원), 232 Jeongsang-dong, ☏ +82 033-570-4067. A total of 218 types of 10 million roses are the world's largest single-scale park. It is a cultural and recreational space with various recreational and convenient facilities such as walking paths and photo zones, rose tunnels, event gardens, floor fountains, grass squares, barefoot parks, inline skating rinks, trails, and bicycle paths.
- 23 Gungchon Beach (궁촌해수욕장), Gungchon-ri, Geundeok-myeon. It consists of shallow waters, beaches, and dense pine forests, and has amenities such as a campground and parking lot. The beach opens from July 10 to Aug. 20.
- 24 Dogye Glass Village (도계유리마을), 31 Dogye-ro, ☏ +82 033-541-6259. It is a village that promotes industrialization of the national core period and future knowledge base by converting it to eco-friendly and high value-added industries by developing new materials using local waste resources and glass products using waste. It is an experience village where you can experience glass crafts, and mine coal obtained from coal mines, which are waste resources in the region, and develop glass products using the remaining waste stones as glass raw materials.
- 25 Deoksan Port (덕산항), 200-29, Deoksan Coastal-ro, ☏ +82 033-570-3411. The coastline is severely curved, and it is the departure point for Volak boat fishing in winter, and many flounder can be caught in the sand fields (Northern Farage) south of Sadong Village.
- 26 Haemang Mountain (해망산), Wolcheon-ri Mountain 3, Wondeok-eup. It is adjacent to Samcheok Port, so visitors can enjoy the view of the coastline. At the top of the mountain, there is a pavilion called Haemangjeong Pavilion.
- 27 Joon-gyeong Grave (준경묘), 333-360 Jungyeong-gil. It is located in Neunggok-ri, Juvenile-ri, and is the tomb of General Lee Yang-moo, the 5th ancestor of King Taejo Lee Seong-gye of the Joseon Dynasty.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Samcheok Central Market (삼척중앙시장), 12-21 Jinju-ro, ☏ +82 033-572-0909. It sells a variety of agricultural products, marine products, and local specialties. Local residents and visitors can buy fresh ingredients and household items, and enjoy various foods in the market.
- 2 Flea Market (삼척번개시장), 14-27, Jungang-ro. Seafood, agricultural products, and various household items can be purchased here at low prices. In particular, a variety of specialties produced in Samcheok are sold, so you can experience local food and culture.
Do
[edit]- 1 Sol Beach Samcheok Ocean Play (쏠비치 삼척 오션플레이), 453, Surobuin-gil, ☏ +82 1588-4888. It is a water park within the resort. It has various water play facilities against the backdrop of the sea, and offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, running water pools, and amusement facilities for children.
- 2 Gagok sulfur Bath Experience Center (가곡유황족욕체험장), 1476, Gagokcheon-ro, Gagok-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1434-8520. 10:00-17:00. It offers a foot bath experience using sulfur hot spring water. It has sulfur water that naturally rises from the underground, so visitors can take care of your health and rest at the same time. Adult ₩7000, child ₩4000.
- 3 Maengbang Yuchae Flower Village (맹방유채꽃마을), Sangmengbangli 174-1, ☏ +82 070-4118-0105. M-F 09:30-17:00. The canola flower festival is held in April every year, and it is a place where visitors can experience strawberries farming and seasonal farming.
Eat
[edit]There are several raw fish restaurants at the harbor along Sae-chun-nyeo Street. A local speciality is black goat soup, it can be found several places in the city, but outside at Mu-sa-ri village one can find country style goat stew with mountain vegetables.
Drink
[edit]- Ulreungdo Pumpkin House, 496, Osipcheon-Ro (from downtown go south to the Oshib Chun road, it follows along the Oshib river, go east towards the harbor). This long established restaurant and rice wine brewer serves home made pumpkin rice wine (dong-dong-ju). Modestly priced side dishes and entres.
Sleep
[edit]Quite a large number of motels can be found near the bus station. It is worth looking around a bit to find a decent priced room as the prices seem to vary quite a bit (₩50,000-150,000).
- Palace Hotel, ☏ +82 33-575-7000. 105 rooms