News
- Gangneung at Night
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While Gangneung's daytime activities may be a bit more obvious, it can feel difficult to find things to do in the area at night. However, look a bit more closely and you'll see that there are a lot of bars and cafes to entertain yourself at night.
Going to a cafe can feel like a daytime activity. However, near Gangneung's Anmok Beach lies the famous Gangneung Coffee Street. A few of the cafes and the nearby bars are open until midnight or later, making it a mellow nighttime activity.
One of Gangneung's most famous nightlife areas is a craft beer bar that's been converted from a makgeolli (Korean rice wine) factory. The bar incorporates local flavors into their brews and sees the largest crowds on Friday and Saturday nights.
Another popular nightlife spot is Gangneung's university area. Here, you'll find a handful of bars with live music and dancing.
Those of you staying at a guesthouse may find that you can have a bit of nightlife right at your own accommodation. Guesthouses often have cafes of their own where your fellow housemates are drinking and eating late-night cup noodles.
Those who aren't inclined to drink can check out the Shin-Yeong Cinematheque for a late-night movie. The theater plays everything from independent films to foreign titles. -
2018-02-02
audioOn My Way to PyeongChang!
- The Gangneung Checklist
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For those attending the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Gangneung is the closest city for general sightseeing, overnight stays and nightlife. It’s known as the economic center of Gangwon-do and according to online sources, it has a population of approximately 213,658 people.
One of the most popular things to do in Gangneung, especially during the summer, is visit the beach. Located only 15-20 minutes away from Gangneung Station, Gyeongpo Beach is the most famous beach in the area. Even during the winter, there are many visitors who come to escape from the city and admire the blue of the ocean.
Gangneung, like much of the Gangwon-do area, is famous for its food. One of the most famous Gangneung foods is soondubu (soft tofu) and for this, you should visit the Chodang Dubu Village. The village is a collection of restaurants famous for this particular type of bean curd. Some experts say that the saltiness of the East Ocean water is key to the regional specialty’s taste.
Another place to check out, in terms of food, is the Gangneung Jungang Market. The market dates back to 1980 and has two different parts: the first floor is for groceries and pre-cooked foods while the underground level is for fish. There are scores of stalls that sell marinated fried chicken, which is a specialty in nearby Sokcho.
For those of you who are staying in Gangneung longer, you might also want to check out Myeongju-dong. Currently known as the trendy neighborhood of Gangneung, the locality is filled with cute, artsy cafes and restaurants.
Music lovers and science nerds should make sure to check out the Charmsori Gramophone and Edison Science Museum. The museum houses 4,500 phonographs and other accessories collected by Son Seong-mok. It’s the largest collection of phonographs in the world and an interesting place to visit, especially if you are traveling with children.
-Gangneung- -
2018-01-26
audioOn My Way to PyeongChang!
- Olympics Venues
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The 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics are scheduled to take place for 17 days from February 9th to the 25th. Snow sports will take place in the Pyeongchang and Jeongsan areas and ice sports will take place in Gangneung. Although it feels like all the venues are quite far away from one another, the locations of this particular Olympics are much closer together than most cities.
The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, which is located in Pyeongchang. The Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium can house up to 35,000 guests and is designed to maximize the view of every single audience member. The details of the ceremonies have yet to be announced.
The Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre, Alpensia Biathlon Centre and Alpensia Cross-Country Centre are all located relatively close to one another. As an early-goer to the facilities, it’s exciting to see some of the competitors who’ve come ahead of time to practice. Of the facilities, the Ski Jumping Centre is definitely the most impressive. The indoor facilities here also include a small museum about Pyeongchang City.
For those looking for Olympics fun closer to Gangneung, they can try out the 2018 Pyeongchang House located in the city’s Green City Convention Center. Here you can learn about the different games taking place at the Olympics, play a mock-up of some Olympics games and enter a 4D movie-theater to experience the games upclose.
-Pyengchang Station- -
2018-01-19
audioOn My Way to PyeongChang!
- Incheon International Airport, Seoul Station and the new KTX
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Consistently ranked one of the best airports in the world, Incheon International Airport is equipped with unique facilities such as an ice-skating rink, a movie theater and a sauna. For those visiting the Olympics, a new KTX line connecting Incheon International Airport to Olympics facilities near Jinbu, Pyeongchang and Gangneung Stations will run during the Olympics period.
Those that have arrived to Korea earlier to see the capital can also take the KTX-Gangneung line from Seoul Station in central Seoul. Although it is possible to buy tickets at Seoul Station, it’s advisable to buy them in advance through the Korail app.
Seoul Station also houses a small shop for Olympics merchandise where you can buy everything from sought-out Olympics gloves to souvenirs you can take home to your friends. Don’t forget to take a photo with Soohorang and Bandabi while you’re there!
Take note that the entrance for the Gangneung-line is located with all the other cross-country trains. A large screen at the center of the station will let you know which gate your train departs from.
You should be leaving from a gate numbered between one and fourteen.
Make sure to pack snacks and food for your two-hour journey in advance as the KTX no longer serves meals. Between some of the cars, there are a few vending machines with beverages and newspaper racks stocked with today’s paper.
-Incheon International Airport- -Seoul Station- -
2018-01-11
audioOn My Way to PyeongChang!
