Looking for short-term rentals in South Korea? Maybe you want to ski for the season, spend a month at your favorite beach, or need a place to stay between work contracts. Consider renting a dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) (these terms literally translate to monthly rental). You can rent a hotel, pension, or apartment for a short time with a less intense deposit than a regular apartment. About dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) Dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) exist as a popular type of monthly, short-term rentals in South Korea. This accommodation type offers flexible and often affordable living arrangements for short-term stays. However, they often aren’t included in English language lists of short-term stay accommodation options. Such rentals are attractive to people who need temporary housing without the long-term commitment of traditional leases, which often have deposits of over 5 million KRW. This includes people taking long holidays, working in another city, and students. Here’s an overview of how wolbang rentals work and what you can expect. What are Dalbangs (달방) / Wolbang (월방)? As we mentioned, a dalbang / wolbang is a short-term rental, often for a month or more, without the formalities and long-term commitment of a regular apartment lease. These rentals are popular among students, business travelers, and anyone needing temporary accommodation. Wolbongs are different from Goshiwon because wolbongs include Goshiwons but also include standard hotel rooms, pensions, officetels, and fully furnished multi-room apartments. Key Features of Dalbangs (달방) / Wolbang (월방) Rentals Such short-term rentals in South Korea often include the following: How to Find Dalbangs (달방) / Wolbang (월방) Rentals We have found that dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) are often advertised locally. This means they may be harder to find online and they are rarely advertised in English or on English language sites. Here are some ways to source wolbangs. Online Platforms Korean platforms such as dallbang.com or 모텔달방닷컴 (motel dalbang) are excellent resources for finding wolbang rentals. These platforms often provide detailed listings with photos, prices, and contact information. If you want the spot for ski season, go to Drspark.net or www.hungryboarder.com where they have message boards for private dalbangs. They might also be called 시즌방 near the resort areas. Search Naver and Instagram You can search on Naver or Instagram using the keywords 월방 and 달방 for places advertising their short-term rentals independently. University Bulletin Boards: Many universities have bulletin boards or online forums where students post available wolbangs, making this a good option for students seeking accommodation near their campus. Word of Mouth/Walking Through an Area: Networking with locals in the area you want to stay can sometimes yield recommendations for wolbangs, especially in popular holiday areas like Busan, Gangwondo, and Taean. We have found walking around an area to be the best way to find dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) in vacation areas near beaches and ski resorts. This is actually how we learned about this type of rental in the first place. We were staying at a pension and started reading the signs around us and realized the pensions were offering monthly stay options. We became curious and started researching in Korean and found they exist all over the country. It’s important to note, searching in for dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) in languages other than Korean on sites other than Naver or Daum may not provide useful results. Cost Considerations When looking for a wolbong / dalbang, keep the following things in mind: Advantages of Dalbang Rentals Disadvantages of Dalbang Rentals Obviously, there are also some common disadvantages to short-term rentals: BTS Dalbang Drama To find a fun way to learn more about dalbangs, go watch the BTW show for your amusement: Conclusion Wolbang / dalbang rentals may offer a convenient and flexible housing option for international residents looking for short-term stays in South Korea. Wolbangs provides an opportunity to experience living in Korea without the long-term commitment and financial obligations of traditional leases. When considering a wolbang, thoroughly research the property and understand the terms. This means taking the time to clarify any additional fees to ensure a smooth rental experience. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Do you love the beach? Then grab your best summer or winter beach wear and visit the 20 Top Swimming Beaches in South Korea! About Beaches in South Korea Since Korea exists on a peninsula, we are surrounded by stunning beaches on three sides. On the west coast, Korea is known for long, shallow beaches which may have low or no waves. On the east coast, Korean beaches may have bigger waves, quick drop-off, and stunning turquoise waters. Whereas, in the south, Korean beaches may be rockier and offer pleasant swimming late into the year. Perfect for fall travel. Korean beaches don’t pretend to be tropical and anyone who compares Korean beaches to Hawaii or California set Korea up to fail expectations. However, Korean beaches have their own look and vibe. The vibe involves beach combing, camping, Korean seafood dishes, fishing, surfing, and more. What to Wear on South Korean Beaches Over the years, Korean beach wear has become more diverse. However, as a rule of thumb, the local population (international residents and Koreans) often prefer to stay covered and protected from the sun. Skin damage and skin cancer aren’t as sexy as they once were. Of course, if you choose to wear a swimsuit that’s completely your choice and certainly does not offend most people. In short, don’t stress too much about what you wear at the beach. Therefore, go forth and enjoy the sand and beaches! Korean Swimming Season Although many Koreans swim throughout the year at different beaches (except those in Busan and other highly controlled urban areas), Korea has an official swimming season. The official ‘Swimming Season’ in South Korea is from about mid-July to sometime in August. Swimming Season is when beaches are at their height of popularity. Therefore, popular and rural Korean beaches are filled with visitors, lifeguards, public showers, activities, and all the businesses are open and supporting visitors. It’s beach party time. During ‘Swimming Season’ your activities will be restricted to certain marked swimming areas that are strictly patrolled by lifeguards on jet skies. You may find this strange if you come from parts of the world where swimming in the sea and ocean is an unrestricted activity. However, you can quickly adjust and find tons of joy within the limited area. During the off-season, you can still visit the beaches and be allowed to swim at most of them, except in areas like Busan and other extremely popular beaches that have begun enforcing beach closures during different times of the year. Basically, during the off-season, you can pretty much do what you want in the sea but most support services like lifeguards and public showers will be closed. However, public restrooms are often -but not always – still open. Common Korean Swimming Beach Amenities Korean swimming beaches, especially during “swimming season” offer many amenities which may include such things as: Swimming Beaches Adventure Map Want to make it easier to stay on top of your beach trip planning? Celebrate your beach adventures with a South of Seoul Adventure Map. South of Seoul prints each Swimming Beach Adventure Map on A3 canvas for durability. Also, they can be shipped to your location in South Korea or within the United States. This makes the perfect celebration of your beach travels! 20 Beaches Across South Korea You can find each of these beaches at the following addresses! Also, we have organized them in the same order as found on the Swimming Beaches Adventure Map! Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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If you love long beaches with aqua water playing with the sand, you’ve found the city for you. Then, this list of 6 best Gangneung beaches offers a little something for everyone. About Gangneung Honestly, you can straight skip this part if you have read my other blogs on Gangneung. We always include a quick blurb about the location in our South of Seoul blogs. However, if you haven’t read the other posts, just keep reading. Gangneung sits on the edge of Gangwondo on the east coast of South Korea. It’s about 1.5 hours south of Sokcho and connected to Seoul by both the KTX and a freeway that cuts across the country. For those of us obsessed with Gangneung, we love it because it mixes both city life and nature. It’s also filled with artists and artisans being nerdy and fabulous in a very hometown way. If you love the process of making things, Gangneung has what you want. It might take a few trips to connect with all the hidden corners. However, you won’t regret taking the time to fall in love with the place. Gangneung also has spectacular food. Some of our favorite international and Korean restaurants exist in this seaside town. From homemade tofu to fabulous crab, the perfect brunch, and excellent craft beer – Gangneung has it all. About Gangneung Beaches Gangneung offers different types of beaches. You can find beaches filled with people and beaches with space to escape the crowds. You can also find beaches with lots of amenities and those with very few amenities. It just depends on how far you feel like going to the north or south. Keep in mind, that Korea doesn’t pretend to be Hawaii or the Caribbean. Instead, we have our own beach life culture here that we love. With a country surrounded by beaches on three sides, it’s almost impossible to avoid falling in love with beach life here. If you only like one kind of beach in the world that’s ok and I am not trying to change your mind. Some folks have a limited framework for what beach fun means to them. That means experiencing different types of beaches doesn’t feel fun. Know yourself and don’t try to force things that don’t fit. Instead, let others love what they love while embracing things you love as well. Book those tickets to Thailand and Vietnam! However, I love beaches of all types and experiences. These recommendations should not be taken as some sort of global comparison. They are the beaches I love in my life as a person who lives in South Korea and loves what this country offers. I share my love with those who also embrace beach diversity. I personally feel the beaches of Gangneung and the east coast of Korea offer me a type of relaxation that I haven’t often experienced in more tropic places. It’s hard for me to even put it into words. Specifically, I love the relaxed waves, crystal clear waters, and the fact I can bring a tent to nap in or I can hang out in the trees. I don’t have to always be exposed to the sun. They are home. About Korean Beach Season The official ‘Swimming Season’ in South Korea is from about mid-July to sometime in August. Swimming Season is when beaches are at their height of popularity. Popular and rural Korean beaches are filled with visitors, lifeguards, public showers, and activities. All the businesses are open and supporting visitors. It’s beach party time. During ‘Swimming Season’ your activities will be restricted to certain marked swimming areas that are strictly patrolled by lifeguards on jet skies. You may find this strange if you come from parts of the world where swimming in the sea and ocean is an unrestricted activity. However, you can quickly adjust and find tons of joy within the limited area. During the off-season, you can still visit the beaches and be allowed to swim at most of them, except in areas like Busan and other extremely popular beaches that have begun enforcing beach closures during different times of the year. Basically, during the off-season, you can pretty much do what you want in the sea but most support services like lifeguards and public showers will be closed. However, public restrooms are often -but not always – still open. Water Temperatures In Gangneung the water feels warmest in the summer and freezing in the winter. In the spring and fall, I also find the water nice but I’m from Alaska so I can’t be trusted. Honestly, if you understand the basics of water and nature the water temp changes will not come as a surprise. However, due to the number of people who have been shocked and angry that the sea feels cold in non-summer months, it feels important to mention it briefly. Wave Height and Type Families will want to stay on top of wave conditions when visiting the east coast beaches. The east coast of Korea has beaches that drop off much more quickly into the ocean than the west coast of Korea. This means the waves can either be quite large or smaller depending on a variety of factors. Sometimes you may find the waves extremely small and other times getting in the water may be dangerous. Keep an eye on the tides and wave conditions when visiting the beaches. You can use different websites online to learn which areas might have the largest waves for the weekend. Swimming Attire We don’t wear a lot of western-style bathing suits in South Korea. Instead, most of us choose to wear swimming clothes that mostly cover us from the sun. This might include rash guards and long swimming leggings. These clothes allow us to play all day in the water without worrying as much about sunscreen or our suites getting dislodged in the surf. That said, no one really cares if anyone wears a western-style swimsuit. It’s your personal choice. Nobody will kick you off the beach unless you are butt naked. Many young men and women will wear western swimming gear in order to be cute and sexy just like in the west. Nobody cares. It’s your choice. People will certainly notice, I know seeing western-style swimming gear always catches me off guard. I feel worried for their future lives. However, it’s not a big deal socially. 6 Best Gangneung Beaches Honestly, no bad Gangneung beaches exist as far as I am concerned. Each beach has its own vibe and reason for existing. I tend to lean toward beaches with fewer people but the busy beaches have their own charm. I’m sure you will find the perfect beach for you. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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The best Mallipo beach day itinerary. Perfect for folks living in Pyeongtaek. Don't forget to enjoy the beach this summer.

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What to know more about Mallipo Beach? The blog article takes a deep dive into visiting one of South Korea’s best west coast beaches. About Swimming Season in Korea The official ‘Swimming Season’ in South Korea is from about mid-July to sometime in August. Swimming Season is when beaches are at their height of popularity. Popular and rural Korean beaches are filled with visitors, lifeguards, public showers, activities, and all the businesses are open and supporting visitors. It’s beach party time. During ‘Swimming Season’ your activities will be restricted to certain marked swimming areas that are strictly patrolled by lifeguards on jet skies. You may find this strange if you come from parts of the world where swimming in the sea and ocean is an unrestricted activity. However, you can quickly adjust and find tons of joy within the limited area. During the off-season, you can still visit the beaches and be allowed to swim at most of them, except in areas like Busan and other extremely popular beaches that have begun enforcing beach closures during different times of the year. Basically, during the off-season, you can pretty much do what you want in the sea but most support services like lifeguards and public showers will be closed. However, public restrooms are often -but not always – still open. About Mallipo Beach in Taean-gun, South Korea Mallipo Beach exists on the west coast of South Korea in Taean-gun. Taean-gun exists along the far west side of Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. The area began gaining popularity in 2015 and continues to become more popular due to the proximity to Seoul and the variety of activities. Mallipo Beach consists of an expansive sandy beach with low shallow waters and the surf varies from nearly flat to moderate waves. The shallow waters and low waves offer the perfect spot for beginning surfers. In fact, committed surfers catch waves at Mallipo year-round. Poor weather days often make the best surfing days. Mallipo beach offers surfing, paddle boarding, ATV rentals, cafes, restaurants, pensions, beach umbrellas, hiking, a botanical garden, skate park, basketball courts, soccer field, and much more. All of the activities and facilities make Mallipo the perfect spot for families and large groups. Mallipo Beach Parking Lots As of 2021, two of the best parking lots that allow you to be close to the beach are the following lots. All lots have very easy access to bathrooms and public showers. All the lots are free as of 2021. Parking fills up heavily after 12:00pm, we recommend arriving before that for the ideal spots. Finding a Tent Spot on Mallipo Beach During swimming season (July-August), beaches will be lined with umbrellas that can be rented. These will be between 30,000-40,000 for the whole day and sit back safely from high tide. Generally speaking, you can not set up your own tents between the paid locations and the ocean. If you have not brought a tent or umbrella of your own, we highly recommend renting for the day so that you can safely take a rest. If you are from North America, you may find the sun burns you much faster in Korea than at home. If you don’t want to pay for an umbrella, Mallipo Beach also has a few areas where you can put up your tents. These spots vary each year and may change throughout the season. When it’s not swimming season the entire beach is generally free to use. Plenty of Outdoor Showers to Keep Away the Sand Before entering any cafe or restaurant, make sure your feet are clean of sand. Most cafes and restaurants will have showers and feet washing areas. The beach also has free outdoor showers dotted along the sidewalk to help you get clean. Remember that it’s not a good form to use the private showers and foot washing stations unless you plan to use the business. Instead, use the free, outdoor public showers along the sidewalks. Dogs at Mallipo Beach Mallipo Beach allows all sizes of dogs as of 2021. Dog owners are welcome to bring their pets as long as they follow a few basic rules. ALWAYS keep your dog on a leash. Carry a muzzle. Others may ask to have them muzzled and they have the right to ask this and you will need to comply. Clean up after your dogs on the beach. Additional advice gleaned from years of visiting Korean beaches with dogs: ALWAYS keep your dog on a leash. It doesn’t matter what others do. Off leash dogs are not allowed on public beaches. Additinally, you likely don’t have the Korean language skills or cultural knowledge to negotiate your way out of a difficult situations that may happen. Keep your day fun by keeping your perfect pet on a leash. Take a tent to protect them from sun. You don’t want your pet to be out and exposed all day in the crazy hot sun. Make sure they have a safe place to escape. Remember that your dog also has a language barrier and can’t speak Korean. That means your dog can’t communicate with strangers and strangers can’t communicate with them. Protect your dog and others from the fear and confusing caused by this language barrier, and keep them on a leash. Mallipo Beach Restaurants If you are wondering what types of restaurants are at Mallipo Beach, read the following blog. Remember that restaurants often close during the off-season or winter months. Non-seafood restaurants will often change regularly due to the nature of seasonal businesses. Mallipo Beach Pensions It’s easiest to reserve your pension stays via Korean apps or bilingual concierge services. Things to Do at Mallipo Beach Mallipo Beach has many fun activities throughout the area. You can find a little something for everyone in your family or friend group. A Sample Mallipo Beach Day Interary Discover what a day might look like at Mallipo Beach. Should I go to Mallipo Beach this week? Great questions. If you need to know more about the current air quality or the weather check the following information. Current Air Quality and Weather in Taean-gun near Mallipo Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts. If you hover over the following Air Quality graphic you will be able to see a 3-day air quality estimate. Remember that air quality changes around Korea. It may be poor quality in one area and excellent elsewhere. Checking air quality can be a great way to choose where to go, what activities to do when you get there, and when to be inside or outside. It also can help you decide if you should purchase and carry air filter masks for outdoor activities. Current Weather in Mallipo For those that prefer the weather in Fahrenheit, the following report may help. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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If you love the beach life even when it’s not Hawaii, you will LOVE Korea. Taean-gun is filled with fun beaches for exploring. You don’t want to miss out on a day eating out and exploring this area. About the west coast beaches in South Korea The west coast of Korea is known for shallow waters, minimal to no waves, expansive sand, digging for shellfish, and a relaxed atmosphere. This isn’t Hawaii or Mexico and they aren’t trying to be. Korea has a beach vibe all its own. A few recommendations when packing for the beach in Korea When you go to the beach we recommend taking a tent to pitch on the beach or a camping platform. This is what all the cool kids do. The tent gives you a place to hide from the sun and keep your things gathered while you wander around. You can get a cheap one at Homeplus or Emart for about 30,000 that will last you for years. If you don’t being a tent you can often rent an umbrella spot for the day for around 30,000 won all day. We also make sure to take a cooler for drinks and snacks. Of course, they are usually drinks and snacks at beaches but the cooler means we don’t have to leave the beach to get things. At the beach, folks usually wear long-sleeved shirts, swimming shorts, a hat, and lots of sunblock. We highly recommend following their example. The beach is so much more fun when you don’t burn and can play in the water all day with no stress. Swimming season in South Korea In Korea, there is a swimming season. That means they have lifeguards and systems there to protect you from downing. This is usually from late July-August. During that time there are also far more services open at the beach. However, people swim year-round here. We just don’t do it at the famous beaches like in Busan where they will call the cops. We go to smaller spots like Taean and wear wetsuits when it’s cold. We LOVE going year-round even if we only sit still and watch the sea. West coast beach restaurant scene The beaches often don’t have tons of western restaurants, but that’s slowly changing. If you hate seafood or Korean food, you might want to pack a lunch just in case. We LOVE seafood so we look forward to every trip to the seaside where we stuff our faces with sashimi, shellfish, noodles, and more. The Taean beaches we like to visit Here are some beaches we love to visit in Taen. The drive time from Pyeongtaek varies based on where you live. It can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours to drive there. Remember that traffic is likely to be bad coming back at 6 pm so return around 5 pm or after 8 pm to avoid the killer traffic home. Please note that Taean beaches are not easily accessible by public transit. It’s possible (we have done it many times) but takes forever. These beaches are best accessed by car or motorbike. Check out these 5 Taean beaches this summer! You can add your own favorite beaches and share them with others! These are not all the beaches in Taean. When you find another beach you love and it is not in the app, be sure to add it! Sharing cool spots makes life more enjoyable for all of the English-speaking residents that come along next. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Visiting these 5 beaches in Gangwon-do will cause you to develop an East Sea addiction. Go as soon as you can. Pack up the car, or buy those tickets, and head for some summer fun on the east coast of Korea. Gangwon-do is where I go to feel at home. Coming from Alaska and Washington State, I love mountains, rivers, and the sea. When I can get these things all in one place I’m at peace and remarkably happy. Since Gangwon-do has copious amounts of all these things, the province quickly became the place I love to visit most in Korea. Especially since I lived in Sokcho for a while when I first arrived. The beaches of Gangwon-do draw us year-round. There is never a bad time of year to be by the East Sea. Why should I go to the Gangwon-do, Korean beaches? There are a variety of reasons to check out the beaches by the East Sea. Here are my top five: 1) the waves are bigger, 2) the color of the water can be breathtaking, 3) the waves and rocks create beautiful areas, 4) there are expansive beaches (many of which have far fewer people than, say, Busan), and 5) the food and cafes are fantastic. What is Gangwon-do, Korea like? Gangwon-do is a unique place all of its own. It tends to be more laid back, with lots of commercial fishing, plenty of tourism, tons of great international and Korean food, fantastic coffee shops, amazing friendliness, spectacular nature, and tons of places to rest and relax. Sometimes folks refer to people from Gangwon-do as the hippies of Korea, which explains why I love it so much. You go to Gangwon-do to find peace and the outdoors. It’s like the opposite of Seoul. Where should I stay on the east sea of Gangwon-do? The choice of where to stay will depend on if you are looking for a rural experience, a city experience, want to drive, or want to go by rail or bus. The two big cities the most options of where to stay are Sokcho and Gangneung. There more rural area of YangYang is centrally located and has a huge number of surfing shops and beaches. We address specific Gangwon-do beach hotel recommendations in other blogs so be sure to check those out! How do I get to the east coast of Gangwon-do? Taking a car will provide the most access to the area, but public transportation is a great option if you hate dealing with traffic. It’s just a personal choice based on where you live and what kind of experience you want to have. If you want to stay in Yangyang and only have a short time, we highly recommend going by car. However, Sokcho has express busses that come and go all weekend so it’s easy to visit for a fun weekend away on public transit. Gangneung is the easiest place to visit since it has an expressway, trains, busses, and KTX service. Traffic and Driving to the East Coast Traffic is a real issue when traveling to Gangwondo so here is my advice: 1) It’s VERY important to leave your area VERY EARLY when traveling across Korea from the west to the east on the weekends. That means you want to be out of the house by 7 am (or leave Friday night and drive late). If you don’t do this you can spend all day in traffic.2) It is also recommended that you don’t start the drive back on Sunday until after 6 pm and maybe even after 8 pm. The traffic may be so bad if you leave earlier that you could end up spending 8-12 hours in traffic. This happens more often than not. However, very few people drive at night so leaving late means you often have a straight shot home.3) Plan for traffic and make sure that you have things to do in the car. Stop and enjoy the rest stops if you need to and if traffic is great, stop for NOTHING!!! Don’t risk the traffic catching up with you. Here are 5 of the Best Starter Beaches to Get You Hooked on Gangwon-do The South of Seoul app has many recommendations from the South of Seoul community for Gangwon-do. It’s a great tool to take with you on any adventure. Obviously, you also want to check out Instagram by searching tags like #속초카페 for cafes or #속초맛집 for restaurants. You can also use Naver and Kakao maps which both have English language interfaces! Remember! Don’t take our word for it! Do lots of research before you go. Every blogger, including me, brings their own experiences to the table. Our past experiences color how we see the world, how we solve the problems around us, and what we see as important to put in our content. Reading many perspectives creates a more balanced picture of what to expect. No one blog mentions all you need to know to live your best life. Happy Exploring!!! South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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