Naksansa Temple & Village
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Port
Sokcho, South Korea
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$209.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Visit the village of Cheongho-dong -- home to many people who settled here during the Korean War as refugees from North Korea. Small Korean-style houses line the street -- a fascinating reminder of the streetscapes of Seoul in the 1970s. The simple nature of the town and the serenity of the sea make for an enchanting atmosphere in Cheongho-dong. The Korean drama Autumn in My Heart was filmed here, putting it on the map for the Koreans. In the movie, the heroine takes a boat between her home and the family business, so today, you'll follow in her footsteps. The Gaetbae ferry is unusual in that it is pulled across the waterway by its passengers -- including you! But don't worry, it's only 50 yards across the river, and it's much quicker than driving around the inlet. It's a uniquely Sokcho experience.
Naksansa Temple, north of Naksan Beach, boasts a 1,300-year history. Inside are the Seven-Story Stone Tower, Dongjong, Hongyaemun and several other cultural assets. After many iterations, the current building dates back to 1953. You'll enter through the Iljumun and Hongyaemun Gates. Note the black bamboo trees and tiled earthen walls on either side of the sanctuary. Beside the copper bell is a back door with a path that leads to the Uisangdae Pavilion atop a sea cliff. In the small Hongryeonam temple, peek through a hole in the floor to view the sea below. Past Uisangdae Pavilion, up the path on the hill at Sinseonbong, there is a stone statue of Buddha called Haesugwaneumsang. It is the largest of its kind in the East.
On the southernmost point of Sokcho are the many raw-fish restaurants and dried-fish shops of Daepohang Port. A live fish market sells eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and other high-end seafood.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.