4 Days in Gangwon: K-Drama Route
For a full Gangwon State trip, west to east: Winter Sonata in Chuncheon, the Pyeongchang mountains, Autumn in My Heart in Sokcho, then the coast south through Goblin and Sandglass places to Donghae, with trains back to Seoul.
Best season: Yongpyong is a snow resort, so winter changes that day the most; Nami Island and the coast also look very different by season. In winter, allow for snow on mountain roads.
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- Reported
- one official or press source.
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- identified by Korean fan researchers by matching scenes; not yet confirmed by official sources.
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Day 1 · Nami Island and Chuncheon
Winter Sonata's two Yeongseo places. Take the ITX-Cheongchun or the Gyeongchun Line toward Gapyeong for Nami Island, then on to Chuncheon (check Korail). Check Naver Map for current travel time.
Morning
- Nami Island: Reached by ferry from the Gapyeong wharf; ferry times are on the official Nami Island site. Check before you go.
Afternoon
Night 1: stay in Chuncheon
Stay where Day 1 ends; Day 2 is a travel day into the mountains.
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Day 2 · Pyeongchang in the mountains
Two Pyeongchang places: Winter Sonata's Yongpyong Resort and the hillside village built for Welcome to Dongmakgol. Check Korail (Gangneung Line) for trains to Pyeongchang County, then plan each leg on Naver Map and check current travel time.
Morning
- Mona Yongpyong (Yongpyong Resort): Snow-season resort: gondola and Sky Garden days are set by the resort; check its official site.
Afternoon
- Welcome to Dongmakgol Film Set: The last stretch is a walk-in lane closed to vehicles, per Pyeongchang County. Check before you go.
Night 2: stay in Gangneung
A rail and bus hub; Day 3 heads north to Sokcho from here.
Day 3 · Sokcho: Autumn in My Heart
Abai Village, the hand-pulled gaetbae ferry, Cheongchoho Lake and Sokcho Beach, all in Sokcho. From Gangneung, check intercity buses to Sokcho on Naver Map for the current schedule.
Morning
- Abai Village gaetbae ferry: Still in use; fares and hours may change, so check before you go.
- Abai Village: People live here: keep noise down and do not photograph residents.
Afternoon
- Sokcho Beach: Beach: conditions depend on the season. Check local notices.
Day 4 · East coast: Jumunjin to Donghae
From Sokcho, head south to Jumunjin (check intercity buses on Naver Map), then Jeongdongjin on the Yeongdong Line (check Korail). Then head south to Donghae (check Korail or Naver Map) for Bukpyeong Catholic Church and Chuam Beach, and take the train back to Seoul from Donghae.
Morning
- Jumunjin Breakwater: Open all day, all year, per VisitKorea. Surfaces can be slippery in wind and rain.
Afternoon
- Jeongdongjin Station: A working station: check Korail for platform access.
- Bukpyeong Catholic Church: A working parish church: check Mass times before you go and visit outside services.
- Chuam Beach and Candlestick Rock: Beach: conditions depend on the season. Check before you go.
By car
A rental car makes it easier to link the inland and coastal stops, which are spread out. Drive times change with traffic, so check Naver Map or Kakao Map on the day. In winter, check road and weather notices for snow and ice, especially on mountain roads around Daegwallyeong.
Check transport on Naver Map (English UI) or Korail before you go. Each place links to its full guide and sources.