Exploring Korea - Eastern Region

Gangwon-do Province is located in the central eastern region of the Korean Peninsula. Most of the land is covered with thick forests, providing an abundance of scenic vistas with fewer residential areas than in other provinces. Both its remote wooded mountains and ravines as well as small coastal towns are rich in scenic splendor.

With these natural conditions, Gangwon-do served as an ideal site for the 4th Asian Winter Games in January 1999. The International Travel Exposition (ITE) '99 was also held here from September 11 through October 30, 1999. Over 2 million visitors from overseas and around the country participated in these events. Under the theme, "Man, Nature and Life of the Future," the ITE offered an array of performances and events in addition to a number of fascinating exhibitions and useful information to visitors.

Winter Sports
Ski resorts have fine snow conditions and are equipped with advanced facilities for ski enthusiasts. (Photo courtesy of Yongpyong Resort)

The eastern coastline, stretching 390 km from Hwajinpo to Busan, is rugged and mountainous with some of the most breathtaking scenery in Korea. Skiing and other winter sports help make the area a year-round resort destination. To meet the needs of the more than one million skiers per year, several resorts are now equipped with snow-making machines, which have extended the season from December to March. Other popular recreational activities in the region include swimming in summer and mountain climbing in autumn. The beaches here are perhaps the finest in Korea, gently sloping into shallow water, which has only mild currents.

Mt. Seoraksan, part of the Mt. Geumgangsan Range, draws visitors with its magnificent splendor. It is impressive and colorful all year round and is home to the Asiatic black bear, the symbol of Gangwon-do Province and one of the most endangered species in the world.

Other popular sites include the Cheoksan, Osaek and Sorak Waterpia hot springs in and around Seoraksan National Park and the unification observatories abutting the DMZ that offer excellent views of North Korean territory. And every August, puppet theater groups from around the world converge on the capital of Gangwon-do for the Chuncheon Puppet Festival.

Ulleungdo, lying 217 km northeast of Pohang, is an extinct volcano rising prominently from the East Sea. Dokdo, the easternmost point of Korea, lies 87.4 km to the southeast of Ulleungdo.

Located in the East Sea, 90 kilometers to the Southeast of Ulleungdo, Dokdo Islet is part of Ulleungdo. It consists of Dongdo (East Islet) and Seodo (West Islet) and is surrounded by 36 tinier rock islets. Dongdo and Seodo face each other at a distance of 150 m and the average depth of the water between the two islets is about 10 m. Dokdo has a number of sea caves such as Hyeongjegul and Cheonjanggul. Cold and warm currents converge in the surrounding sea, creating an ideal environment for an abundance of marine life to come and thrive. There are also many birds like the Swinhoe's fork-tailed petrel, streaked shearwater, and black-tailed gull.

Mt. Seoraksan
One of the most popular mountain tourist destinations for its beautiful scenery and rare species.

Since the entire islet is designated as a Natural Preservation Zone, the key to sightseeing is the enjoyment of the natural beauty of Dokdo. You can see Seodo from the wharf or take a stroll to view uniquely shaped rocks and gulls.

To get to Dokdo, visitors must first travel to Ulleungdo. Ferries for Ulleungdo leave from Mukho Port in Gangwon-do Province or Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The ports are about 161 km and 217 km away from Ulleungdo, with traveling time on the ferry about 2 hours and 20 minutes and 3 hours, respectively.

Dokdo
Dongdo and Seodo face each other at a distance of 150 meters and the average depth of the water between the two islets is about 10 meters. 

* Tour Information: +82-54-790-6454 (Korean, English)

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