DAY ONE
CHUNCHEON
Gangwon’s laid-back provincial capital
is nestled on the shores of a lake at the
confl uence of the North Han and Soyang
rivers, making it a scenic and relaxing
place to start your journey. Just 30 minutes
west of town is Nami Island, famous for its
ginkgo trees in autumn. Amble along its
bucolic footpaths before heading to nearby
Gyeonggang Station — this abandoned train
depot is now home to a railbike where you
can pedal down the old tracks and soak up
the tranquillity of local rural life.
Head back to town for a lunch of makguksu
(cold buckwheat noodles), check out the
W
ith its craggy peaks, pine
forests, world-class ski
slopes and beaches home
to ideal surfing conditions,
Gangwon is an outdoor-lover’s paradise.
It’s also a fascinating cultural destination,
with vibrant cities, warm people and
hearty cuisine. And, given that the
province is easily accessible by car, a
road trip is the perfect way to take in this
magical corner of the country.
Clockwise from above:
View from an observatory
deck in Yeongwol-gun; a
traditional Korean gazebo
in Goseong-gun; a dragon
sculpture at Naksan
Temple in between
Sokcho and Yangyang; a
picturesque garden near
Seoraksan National Park IMAGES:GETT
Y
new Legoland Korea theme park on Jungdo
Island or, if you’re up for more exercise,
rent a canoe and cruise placid Uiam Lake
along the Mullegil water path. For sweeping
views, don’t miss the Gubongsan Mountain
Observatory Cafe Street before fi nishing
the day with dinner on ‘Dakgalbi Street’
in downtown Chuncheon, where a host of
restaurants serve up the city’s speciality of
spicy stir-fried chicken.DAY TWO
PYEONGCHANG
Head south to Pyeongchang, the
mountainous region that held the 2018
Winter Olympic Games and will host the
Winter Youth Olympics in 2 024. For alpine
sports, shoot over to the slopes of Yongpyong
Resort for the best skiing and snowboarding
in the country; in the warmer months, you
can also enjoy zip-lining, golf or the resort’s
water park. Make time for Jeongangwon,
a hanok-style complex dedicated to
Korea’s traditional food culture, and for
a dose of tranquillity, stop by Woljeongsa
Temple. This 1 ,000-year-old Buddhist
site sits on the Odaesan mountain,
and its surroundings off er excellent hiking.On the roadSituated in the country’s rugged northeast, Gangwon Provinceis where Koreans go to commune with nature