Sand and pines
1.5 km on the East Sea.
Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 칼빈500 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The best-known and largest beach on Korea's east coast: soft white sand running for about a kilometre and a half along the East Sea, backed by an old pine forest. Koreans come here in summer to swim, and at dawn on New Year's Day to watch the year's first sunrise over the sea. Right behind the beach is Gyeongpo Lake, a quiet coastal lagoon circled by a walking and cycling path about four kilometres long, lined with cherry trees that blossom in early April. On a hill above the lake stands Gyeongpodae, a pavilion from the fourteenth century, where poets said the moon could be seen five times: in the sky, in the sea, in the lake, in a wine cup and in a companion's eyes. The East Sea is clear and fairly cold, and the surf can be strong, so swim in the guarded area in July and August. Bikes can be hired around the lake, and the beach has cafés and seafood restaurants. The beach is free and always open. A quarter of an hour to the south is Anmok coffee street, a row of cafés facing the sea.
1.5 km on the East Sea.
Walks, bikes and cherry blossom.
Where the moon is seen five times.
Gangmun-dong, Gangneung, about 6 km north-east of the centre
July and August, when lifeguards are on duty. The rest of the year the beach and lake stay open for walking.