What to do in Gangwon? 10+ best things to do in Gangwon, South Korea

It’s not hard to find yourself “lost” in the rich nature and unique cultural beauty of Gangwon-do. So, what to do in Gangwon? Let’s pocket some great suggestions for traveling to Gangwon-do, Korea with 10+ things to do in Gangwon travel below!

Gangwon-do is a mountainous, coastal province in the northernmost part of Korea, a short distance from Seoul. The terrain has brought this place some of the most beautiful and adventurous outdoor attractions, which is why this place is also known as Korea’s land of adventure.

Wondering what to do in Gangwon-do during your trip? We’re here to help! Check out our picks for the best things to do in Gangwon-do.

Explore the Beautiful City of Chuncheon (#best things to do in Gangwon)

Surrounded by hills, lakes and picturesque landscapes, Chuncheon is the charming capital of Gangwon Province, offering a different kind of scenery not far from Seoul. Not only tourists but also locals who want to go on a weekend getaway love to come here. If you are here for lunch or dinner, be sure to try Chuncheon’s specialty, dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken)! The city has Dakgalbi Street with restaurants specializing in dakgalbi and soba (buckwheat noodles), as well as Cafe Street and many duty-free shops.

Book a Chuncheon Day Tour on Klook that includes round-trip ITX tickets from Seoul, a 3-hour taxi ride and tickets to the famous Nami Island!

Visit the Famous Nami Island

Nami Island (Namiseom) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Gangwon-do, with its fresh air thanks to the rows of trees that line both sides of the roads. With picturesque scenery all year round (especially in spring and autumn), Nami Island became famous after being known as the filming location of the hit Korean romance drama Winter Sonata. Not only can you stroll through the beautiful winding and tree-lined roads, but you can also participate in thrilling activities such as 80-meter high zipline and motorboating.

Join the K-WAVE TOUR in Gangneung

Tucked away on the eastern side of the Taebaek Mountains, Gangneung is the largest coastal city in Gangwon-do Province. Known for its sandy beaches, outdoor activities, unique attractions, and fresh seafood, Gangneung is a beautiful, charming city with plenty to explore.

While it’s not difficult to explore Gangneung on your own, the ideal way to see the best sights is to book the Klook Foreigner Taxi Tour – this tour will give you 3 hours of taxi service (for up to 4 people) and convenient access to popular Gangneung locations for a reasonable price of around 350,000 VND per taxi!

If you’re a fan of Korean music and dramas, we highly recommend booking the K-WAVE Taxi Tour (Music & Drama) that stops at popular Gangneung spots like Hyangho Beach (where you can take photos at the BTS bus stop!), Youngjin Beach (a famous filming location for the TV series Goblin), Anmok Café Street (a half-kilometer stretch lined with around 40 cozy cafes), and more. This tour includes pick-up and drop-off at Gangneung’s KTX station, so you’ll be ready for your adventure as soon as you arrive in the city.

In addition to the K-WAVE TOUR, the 3-Hour Taxi Tour is also themed around history and coffee! Check out the different taxi tour options here.

Meet the Llamas at Alpaca World (#What to do in Gangwon)

If you’re an animal lover wondering what to do in Gangwon-do, Alpaca World is the best choice! This experiential zoo allows you to interact with the cutest llamas, all living in pristine natural environments worthy of gracing your Instagram feed. Fun fact: it’s also the filming location of many Korean dramas and TV shows!

Tip: When you book the Alpaca World, Nami Island & Old Train Bike Day Tour, you’ll also visit Nami Island and Gangchon Rail Bike, where you can admire the beauty of Eastern Korea on an old train bike experience.

Boating at Chuncheon Mulle-gil

Gangwon-do is blessed with many beautiful rivers and lakes in Chuncheon Mulle-gil, and the best way to see them is by canoeing. You can do just that with the Chuncheon Mulle-gil Canoe Experience, where you will be taught about canoeing safety by a professional guide before starting your journey. After the boat ride, you can relax with drinks and snacks from the nearby cafe and learn more about water activities at the boat exhibition.

Feel the Vibrant Life of Naerincheon Rafting

If you are an adventurer thinking about what to do in Gangwon-do, head to Naerincheon, a stream with many strong tributaries that is perfect for rafting and kayaking. Thanks to the picturesque flora surrounding it, rafting in Naerincheon is a two-in-one experience of sightseeing and adventure!

Skiing in PyeongChang County

PyeongChang is famous for hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics and many events, such as snowboarding and skiing. Today, you can visit the famous ski resorts of this place and have fun by skiing down the slopes. Ski enthusiasts will love these resorts such as YongPyong Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Korea, and Alpensia Resort, located at an altitude of 700 meters and reminiscent of the Alps.

Trekking Mountain National Parks

82% of Gangwon-do is covered in stunning, mountainous terrain, making it a paradise for hikers. One of the best places to hike is Seoraksan National Park, home to Seoraksan (Korean for snow-capped mountain). The park offers many trails dotted with breathtaking scenery and vibrant flora. Another great option is Odaesan National Park, home to Korea’s largest natural forest with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Traveling to Gangwon in the fall? A Seoraksan National Park Autumn Day Tour will take you on an unforgettable foliage-seeking adventure!

Have Fun at Water Parks

South Korea has a 2,413 km long coastline, giving the country a plethora of water attractions such as water parks. If you’re thinking about what to do in Gangwon-do to take advantage of this, you can visit the country’s great water parks, including Vivaldi Park Ocean World and Waterpia Waterpark. This Egyptian-themed attraction features slides and pools designed in the shapes of sphinxes and pyramids. Another great spot is Blue Canyon in PyeongChang, with Mediterranean-themed attractions.

Adventure in Inje

Inje is a county in Gangwon-do that is filled with valleys, mountains, parks, and natural landscapes that are perfect for daring adventures combined with the best natural scenery! Here, you can go bungee jumping, paragliding, rafting, climbing artificial waterfalls, and more.

Now that you’ve read about all these exciting attractions, you can put your thoughts on what to do in Gangwon-do on hold and start planning your trip!

There’s nothing more fulfilling than taking a leisurely trip to Gangwon-do. Compared to bustling Seoul, the local life and nature of Gangwon-do are completely different experiences that you don’t want to miss on your independent travel itinerary to Korea.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Seoul you can refer to

• Private Incheon International Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District)
• Discover Seoul Pass (BTS Edition Available)
• Klook Pass Seoul
• Seoul Yeouido Eland Han River Cruise
• Alpaca/ Nami/ RailBike/ Morning Calm/ LEGOLAND/ Painters/ Wild Show
• [SALE] Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days to travel around the cities in Korea
• KAL Limousine Bus Ticket for Seoul
• [Limited Offer] AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs)
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour from Seoul
• Seoul City Sightseeing Bus (Downtown Palace Namsan Course/Seoul Panorama Course)
• [Limited Offer] Incheon International Airport (ICN) Luggage Services (Between Airport and Hotel) by Safex
• Everland 1 Day Pass
• Lotte World Ticket in Seoul
• AREX Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket
• KORAIL PASS – KTX Train Ticket
• Discover Seoul Pass
• N Seoul Tower Ticket
• Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky Ticket
• Coex Aquarium Admission Ticket in Seoul
• DMZ(Demilitarized Zone) Tour
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [Sale] Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh

Are you finding more top things to do in Seoul: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.