GANGNEUNG BEACHES

Gangneung has Korea's largest and arguably most beautiful beach. It takes on different names depending on the village that borders it. Here are its main sections, from north to south:

연곡 Yeongok beach, bordered by a pretty pine forest, is followed by 사천 Sacheon beach. Then comes the famous 경포 Gyeongpo beach. The sand is clean and the sea beautiful, but very touristy. There are many restaurants, hotels and bars. At the back, there's a lake where young Hwarang from Silla used to come to train. Around it, several pavilions were erected under Joseon for the enjoyment of scholars.

Then there's Gangmun beach, famous for its pine forest and its 3 wooden tutelary birds carved on a pole, the chinddobaegi. Just beyond is the village of 초당 Chodang, where a unique dubu (tofu) is made from salt water. This small village was the birthplace of Heo Gyun, author of the first Korean novel published in hangeul. On the other side of the creek, where road no. 7 joins the coast, you'll find 안인 An-in beach.

The next beach is called 든명 Teungmyeong, known for its cliffs, pine trees and Nakgasa temple. It's a site that attracts many lovers, especially to watch the sunrises on the beach. It was even crowded for the first dawns of the millennium. Further on, the bay of 심곡 Simgok is just as pretty with its pebbles. Further down, there's the fishing port of 강포 Geumjin (Gangpo) and further on the beach of 옥계 Okgye, where unfortunately an industrial port has been built.