Ongoing Seasonal events
Sokcho City, Gangwon State
Where the sea meets Seorak,
Everything about Sokcho
From Jungang Market eats to port, mountain and lake sights, this year's festival calendar and how to get here — everything you need for travel and life in Sokcho, in one place.
Compiled from facts in public sources such as the Sokcho City Hall website and the Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market official website (information verified Sep 23, 2026).
- Market Shops, alleys & parking
- Food Dakgangjeong · sundae · raw fish · snow crab
- Sights Ports · Mountains · Temples · Museums
- Festivals This year's schedule and progress
- 8 Scenic Views Sokcho's 8 Scenic Views · Goseong's 8 Scenic Views
- Transport Bus routes, terminals, public parking lots
- Living Info Waste disposal, pharmacies & restrooms
- Public Offices City hall, police and community center contacts
- About Sokcho History, symbols, climate & population
- Nearby Goseong · Yangyang · Inje
First time in Korea?
How to ride buses and taxis, payment, eating out, emergency numbers and basic Korean — all in one travel guide.
Now in Sokcho
Events currently underway or coming up soon as of today.
Ongoing Seasonal events
Dongmyeong Port Squid Market Stalls
One of Korea's Top 10 Tourist Markets
Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market(Sokcho Jungang Market)
Sokcho's signature traditional market, bringing together seafood fresh from the East Sea, specialties of Gangwon's Yeongdong region, and famous local eats such as dakgangjeong (sweet & crispy fried chicken) and sundae (Korean sausage) under one roof. Named one of Korea's top 10 tourist markets, it draws crowds of travelers and is a must on any Sokcho–Goseong itinerary.
- Shops
- 275places
- Parking
- 350vehicles
- Parking operation
- 08–21City
Must-dos in Sokcho
Sokcho's signature foods, found in every market alley.
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Places to visit, from the sea to Seorak
29 places in Sokcho and neighboring Goseong, organized by category.
Ports & Sea Sokcho
Sokcho Port · Dongmyeong Port
Named for "the port where the sun rises bright over the East Sea," this port is famous for its sunrises. Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion and Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory are right next door, making it a great sunrise walk, and from mid-May to the end of the year, stalls serve squid caught that same day.
Ports & Sea Sokcho
Daepo Port
Sokcho's main fishing port to the south, where premium fish such as flatfish and yellowtail are landed. Developed as a tourist fishing port complex, it has raw fish centers, a fried seafood alley and a waterfront promenade.
Mountains & nature Sokcho
Seoraksan National Park
One of Korea's signature mountain national parks, with valleys, waterfalls and striking rock formations. From the Sogongwon entrance, trails branch out to Sinheungsa Temple, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Ulsanbawi Rock, Biseondae and more.
Mountains & nature Goseong
Hwajinpo Lagoon
Named for the beach roses that bloom in profusion along its shore, this is the largest natural lagoon on the east coast, about 16km around. The sea and the lake meet, separated only by a sandbar.
Views & sights Sokcho
Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion
The name refers to the broad rock shelf along the shore next to Dongmyeong Port and the pavilion that stands on it. Waves crashing against the rocks make for a refreshing view, and it is one of Sokcho's top sunrise spots.
Views & sights Sokcho
Expo Tower
A 74m observation tower on the shore of Cheongchoho Lake. It offers views of the lake, the city, Seoraksan and the sea all at once, and many festivals are held on the Expo plaza around it.
8 Scenic Views
Eight spectacular views chosen by Sokcho itself, introduced together with Goseong's 8 Scenic Views.
Seorak area guide
Neighboring areas worth exploring together, from Sokcho to Goseong, Yangyang and Inje.
Sokcho City
You are hereKorea's No. 1 east-coast destination, where sea, lakes and Seoraksan meet in one city
- Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market
- Sunrise at Yeonggeumjeong & Dongmyeong Port
- Seoraksan Ulsanbawi Rock
- Cheongchoho & Yeongnangho Lakes
Goseong County
Just north of Sokcho: lakes and observatories at the northern tip of the east coast
- Hwajinpo Lagoon
- Unification Observatory
- Songjiho Lake
- Geonbongsa Temple · Cheonggan Pavilion
Yangyang County
South of Sokcho: surf beaches and seaside temples
- Naksansa Temple
- Hajodae
- Surf beaches
Inje County
West of Seoraksan, a land of valleys and forests
- Baekdamsa Temple
- Wondae-ri Birch Forest
- Naerincheon Stream
Getting to Sokcho
It's about 2.5 hours by bus from Seoul.
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal
About 2 hr 20 min
Intercity bus (non-stop) → Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal
Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam)
About 2 hr 30 min
Express bus → Sokcho Express Bus Terminal
By car
Enter "속초관광수산시장" (Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market) into your navigation. Market parking is free for up to 1 hour when you shop.
View parking conditionsFrequently asked questions
What can I find on Sokcho Portal?
It brings together how to use the Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market (Jungang Market), signature foods, attractions in Sokcho and Goseong, festival and event schedules, Sokcho's 8 Scenic Views, transport and parking, living information, public office contacts and accommodation in one place. It is available in Korean, English, Chinese (Simplified) and Japanese.
Where does the information come from?
We use only the facts from public sources such as the Sokcho City Hall website, the Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market official website and Goseong County and other public agencies, and write everything anew. Each page lists its sources and the date the information was verified (Sep 23, 2026) at the bottom.
Is parking at the Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market free?
The market car park (about 350 spaces) operates 08:00–21:00 and is free outside those hours. Spend KRW 10,000 or more at the market and the shop gives you a 30-minute parking ticket; each vehicle can use up to 2 tickets (1 hour) per day.
How long does the bus from Seoul to Sokcho take?
About 2 hr 20 min by intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, and about 2 hr 30 min by express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam) to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal.
What are the "Ongoing" and "Upcoming" labels on the festival schedule based on?
Ongoing, upcoming (D-day countdown) and ended are calculated automatically from the date you visit the site. Schedules can change at the organizers' discretion, so please check each event's official information before you go.