Yangyang Trip: How to Plan Surf Beaches, Temples and Mountain Springs

Yangyang is a county on Gangwon Province's East Sea coast, just south of Sokcho and north of Gangneung. Its shoreline strings together Naksansa Temple, the cliffs of Hajodae and the surf villages of Jukdo and Ingu, while the western edge climbs into Seoraksan, home to the Osaek mineral spring and the Hangyeryeong pass. Sea and mountains sit about an hour apart by car. The county is long, so plan one or two areas per day.

Naksan & Mulchi is the classic first stop, with Naksansa, Uisangdae and Naksan Beach. Yangyang Town & Namdaecheon has the market, the riverside salmon park and the prehistoric museum, handy in rain. Osaek, Hangyeryeong & Seomyeon is the mountain day, with the mineral spring, the Jujeongol gorge walk and the hot spring. Hajodae, Gisamun & Dongho brings the cliff pavilion and crab restaurants, and Jukdo, Ingu & Namae is the surf corner, with beginner lessons, Hyuhyuam temple and a fishing harbour.

Couples enjoy Naksan at sunrise. Friends can book a surf lesson at Jukdo or Ingu and finish with mulhoe, the chilled raw-fish soup of this coast. Families will like the museum, the playground park and shallow Dongho. Parents often prefer Naksansa, the hot spring and a mountain-vegetable meal; solo travellers can try Jeongam Beach and the Jinjeonsa pagoda.

A car makes everything easier. From Seoul, the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway takes roughly two hours without traffic, and intercity buses reach Yangyang town in about two and a half hours; check times before you go. Local buses link Yangyang town with Naksan and Sokcho, but services to Osaek and the surf villages are sparse, so taxis fill the gaps. Beach lanes jam on summer weekends, and the Hangyeryeong pass can close with winter ice.

Summer is peak season, so aim for early morning or sunset. Autumn adds foliage, pine mushrooms and salmon, winter gives crisp sunrises and warming fish soups, and spring is when surf schools restart. Several local restaurants close on Wednesdays.