If you want to escape Seoul and see the deep blue ocean, Gangneung is the best destination. Located on the East Coast, it is famous for three things: Coffee, Tofu, and K-Content.
Specifically, the beaches here are legendary. You can walk on the sand where Goblin was filmed and sit at the bus stop where BTS shot their album cover. It is the perfect mix of sightseeing and pilgrimage.
However, navigating a rural coastal city is different from Seoul. Welcome to the Gangneung Travel Guide. Let me tell you how I got stranded on the beach because I confused a photo spot with a real bus stop.
Level 1: The “Fake Bus” Mistake
Flashback: Winter in Jumunjin.
Initially, I took the KTX to Gangneung to see the famous filming locations. My itinerary was perfect. I visited the breakwater from the drama Goblin, took great photos, and then walked to the famous “Spring Day” Bus Stop nearby.
After taking a million selfies, I decided to head back to the station. Naturally, I sat down on the bench inside the bus stop. It looked exactly like a real bus stop. It even had a route map. Consequently, I waited for 20 minutes in the freezing wind. I thought, “The bus in the countryside must be slow.”
Eventually, a local grandpa walked by walking his dog. He looked at me shivering and laughed. “No bus! Fake! Photo only!” Instantly, I realized my mistake. I was waiting for a ride at a prop.
Level 2: The Solution (Transport & Tips)
Later, I told Ssam about my frozen toes. “Ssam, why is there a fake bus stop in the middle of nowhere?”
Ssam smiled. “Alice, that is the power of K-Pop. They built it just for fans. But you need to know how to move around.”
Here is the essential transport hack for your Gangneung Travel Guide:
1. It is a Photo Spot, Not a Stop
Crucially, the “BTS Bus Stop” in Jumunjin is just a sculpture. No bus stops there.
- Tip: Do not wait. Call a taxi using Kakao T or walk to the main road to catch a real bus (No. 300 series).
2. Getting to Gangneung
It is very accessible from Seoul.
- KTX: Take the high-speed train from Seoul Station to Gangneung Station. It takes only 2 hours.
- Bus: You can take an express bus, but the train is much more comfortable.
3. Taxi is King
Unlike Seoul, the subway doesn’t exist here. Buses come every 20-30 minutes. Therefore, if you are a group of 2-3 people, taking a taxi is much faster and not too expensive.
Level 3: Ssam’s Picks (Must-Visit Spots)
Gangneung is more than just one photo spot. Here is Ssam’s recommended course.
1. Jumunjin Beach (The K-Content Hub)
This beach holds two legends.
- BTS Bus Stop: The “Spring Day” album cover location. It is nostalgic and beautiful.
- Goblin Breakwater: The spot where the main characters met. You can rent a red scarf and buckwheat flowers nearby for the perfect cosplay.
2. Chodang Tofu Village
Gangneung is famous for making tofu with seawater.
- Must Eat: Soft Tofu Gelato (Ice Cream).
- Taste: It sounds weird, but it tastes like rich salted caramel or vanilla. It is absolutely delicious.
- Main Meal: Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (Jjamppong Sundubu).
3. Anmok Coffee Street
Gangneung is the city of coffee.
- What: A long street along the beach filled with coffee roasters and cafes.
- Activity: Sip a cup of hand-drip coffee while looking at the endless horizon.
Level 4: Deep Dive (Ssam’s Insight)
(Why is Gangneung so hip?)
The New “Hot Place” for Millennials
Historically, Gangneung was a quiet fishing city or a place for summer vacations. However, the 2018 Winter Olympics and the KTX connection changed everything. Furthermore, as K-Dramas and K-Pop music videos were filmed here, it transformed into a “Pilgrimage Site” for global fans.
Therefore, Gangneung now represents a mix of Local Vibe (Tofu, Market) and Global Trend (BTS, Coffee). It is the most trendy countryside city in Korea.
Level 5: Ssam’s Secret Map (Location Links)
(Save these to your map)
📍 Jumunjin Photo Spots
📍 Food & Coffee
Alice’s Bottom Line: Eat Tofu, See the Sea
Gangneung is the perfect 1-day or 2-day trip from Seoul. Take photos at the K-Pop spots, but don’t forget to eat the Tofu Ice Cream. And please, don’t wait for the bus at the photo zone.
Survival Hangul: Gangneung Edition
- “순두부 젤라또 주세요.” (One Soft Tofu Gelato, please.)
- “강릉역으로 가주세요.” (Please take me to Gangneung Station.)
- “바다” (Sea / Ocean).
Read This Next (Before You Make Another Mistake)
Planned your Gangneung trip? Prepare the basics.