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| Seen is the outdoor deck on the upper floor at Haslla Art World in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Dec. 22. Located on a hillside, the ocean view from the upper floor creates harmony with the art pieces there. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Lee Hae-rin
GANGNEUNG, Gangwon Province ― If one asks what the favorite holiday destination of Koreans is, Gangwon Province always ranks high. Although less known than Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island among foreign travelers, the province's largest coastal city, Gangneung, offers the rustic charms of the countryside.
Fortunately, Gangneung is easily accessible. A quick 90-minute ride on a KTX train from Seoul Station leads to the coastal city on the eastern end of the Korean Peninsula. Cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the capital area, the city presents a picturesque landscape of both mountains and ocean, as well as a rich blend of traditional heritage with leading trends in arts and culture.
Most of all, the city is getting ready to welcome foreign travelers once the borders reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, through the support of the Korea Tourism Organization and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
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| A traditional Korean-style residence at Ojuk Hanok Village in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Dec. 22. The accommodation features a traditional Korean housing style, but is equipped with modern facilities. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
Ojuk Hanok Village
Ojuk Hanok Village is a traditional-style accommodation with rich historical references, equipped with modern facilities and available to guests at a reasonable price.
A stay at a "hanok," or a traditional Korean house, may seem inconvenient. However, the village offers comfortable features of tradition homes such as "ondol," a Korean floor heating system, as well as spacious bathrooms and pathways accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
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| Pine trees, which are commonly found in Gangwon Province, can be seen in the garden of Ojuk Hanok Village in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Dec. 22. The village presents a serene view of the landscape in harmony with Korean traditional housing architecture, called "hanok." Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
The name of the village originates from Ojukheon, the birth residence of Shin Saimdang and her son Yulgok Yi I, who are two of the most renowned artists and scholars from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Every corner of the village contains the philosophy and historical legacy left by these two characters, who also appear on the country's currency.
The accommodation also offers diverse programs and facilities for foreign visitors, such as making traditional lamps and writing Korean calligraphy, while wearing "hanbok," the traditional costume. The conference rooms there have digital devices with the latest technology, including touch-screen monitors, while spacious restaurants are available for both catering and cooking sessions, suitable for group tourists.
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| Visitors watch the ocean from the outdoor deck of the Haslla Art World, Gangenung, Gangwon Province, Dec. 22. "Wave Path," a metal installation art in the form of ocean waves, creates a unique view in harmony with the region's landscape. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
Haslla Art World
Haslla Art World is a culture complex with a hotel and restaurants located on a coastal hillside. Its name, "Haslla," is a Korean word meaning large ocean, which was also the region's name during Goguryeo Kingdom (B.C. 37-668 A.D.). The complex presents a harmonious balance between the region's beautiful scenery and modern art.
Built by an architect couple, the facility now owns and presents a collection of over 530 art pieces. The venue exudes a unique atmosphere of a fairytale with its statues and a permanent exhibition themed with Pinocchio and marionettes. Creative installation art pieces and sculptures offer iconic photo spots.
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| An exhibition at Haslla Art World in Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
Since 2017, the facility used to run an incubating program for international and local artists, aiming to become a hub for international cultural exchanges. The works of artists who participated in the program are purchased and displayed by the museum. But the program has been suspended due to the COVID-19.
Haslla Art World also blends in harmoniously with the surrounding nature. It presents a sculpture park and a secluded pathway filled with pine trees and wildflowers, where one can appreciate both the landscape and modern art.
The venue was also used to film music videos of Korean boy band Astro and singer Ailee, and the latest streamed online concert by Kai of boy band EXO.
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| An ocean view seen from a car on Heonhwa-ro in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, a coastal road that is closest to the ocean in Korea, Dec. 22 / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
Heonhwa coastal drive
Heonhwa-ro seaside drive is the closest road to the ocean in the country.
The road's name, "heonhwa," means "giving flower" and comes from an old Korean tale. According to records from the Unified Silla Kingdom (676-935), an old cattle farmer offered a woman a flower he picked from the cliff here. The road presents an exceptional view of both the rocky cliff and the ocean, and offers a beautiful view of the sunrise.
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| An aerial view of Heonhwa-ro coastal drive in Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization |
For tourists who wish to visit the road and the rest of the city, Gangwon Provincial Government offers a taxi service for visitors to Gangneung. One can take the tourist taxi and easily navigate the city at a reasonable price of just 20,000 won for three hours.
The region's friendly taxi drivers who already experienced foreign visitors during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018 and speak some English, Chinese and Japanese, drive to both must-see tourist attractions and anywhere a traveler wishes, including the coastal road.
The reservations for the tourist taxi for foreigners are available on its official website, at Gangneung Station and through online tourist agencies.
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| An old flour mill and barley processor stand inside the 100 Imdang Mill coffee shop in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Dec. 22. The venue was remodeled from an old mill that dates back 100 years. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
100 Imdang Mill coffee shop
100 Imdang Mill coffeehouse is a living museum that preserves the facilities of an old mill dating back 100 years.
Gangneung is well-known as a destination for coffee lovers and baristas, and the coffee shop was made through an urban regeneration project that combined the region's specialty with its modern history.
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| A signature coffee drink of 100 Imdang Mill coffee shop in Gangeung, Gangwon Province / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
The venue presents a time-travelling experience for both old and young visitors. At the center of the coffee shop is a giant flour mill and barley processor, while several antique pieces including an old clock and cabinet inlaid with pearl are displayed in different corners.
In the past, mills served as meeting places for villagers and were also a source of quality staples for everyday meals. The place now serves freshly brewed coffee and other drinks to carry on the venue's identity.
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| Budnamu Brewery in Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Budnamu Brewery |
Budnamu Brewery
Budnamu Brewery is a local brewery that is at the forefront of the country's regional craft beer scene. Built by preserving the original form of an old "makgeolli" or rice wine brewery from the early 20th century, the place offers craft beer that is unique to the city.
"Budnamu," or willow tree in Korean, appears in some of the oldest historical records on beverages. In many old Korean tales, for example, a leaf of the tree would always be topped on a bowl of water presented to a thirsty person. The brewery aims to carry on such a spirit of hospitality.
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| A craft beer made by Budnamu Brewery in Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Budnamu Brewery |
In its drinks, Budnamu creates special blends of the region's special ingredients such as rice, pine, and chrysanthemum, which are familiar to the local but were rarely used in craft beer. It also collaborates with local farmers for sustainable growth of the community's agriculture and quality sourcing of the ingredients.
The brewery undertakes several initiatives to coexist with residents. Since 2019, it has been selecting a "town hero" every year and dedicates a unique drink inspired by their contributions to the local community. The earnings from the drink are donated to a charity the hero designates.
Gangneung is one of the country's five regional tourism hub cities designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization in 2020, along with Busan, Jeonju of North Jeolla Province, Mokpo of South Jeolla Province, and Andong of North Gyeongsang Province.
