A information to South Koreas Gangwon province: Ok-Drama areas, mountains, regional delicacies and extra

When you step out of Incheon airport in Seoul, you count on to drive into town and be catapulted into scenes you could have seen in a number of city-slicker Ok-Dramas and movies — a powerful skyline, chaotic, but orderly site visitors, comfort shops on each road nook, and a few rain for that cinematic impact. 

We are nevertheless whisked away in one other route the place a protracted freeway awaits, to steer us to Gangwon. One among the many three self-governing provinces in South Korea (the opposite two being Jeju and Jeonbuk), this huge province made up of seven cities and 11 counties doesn’t at all times characteristic excessive on first-time vacationer itineraries which concentrate on Seoul, Busan, and Jeju. We nevertheless wish to tread in another way, and in viral journey vlogspeak — are right here to discover some hidden gems that the nation has to supply. 

With lower than 48 hours right here, the sight of a brilliant blue sky studded with cotton sweet clouds and a nice chill within the air has us enthused, and we overlook any residual flying exhaustion as we make our method. It helps that we’re munching on juicy strawberries we choose up from one of many many relaxation stops we move by on our method right here, with giant meals courts, scores of outlets promoting cute trend equipment and most significantly, glowing clear bogs.   

On location, Ok-Drama model

Less than two hours away from Incheon, we arrive at Nami Island in Chuncheon, a scenic vacationer vacation spot that has a self-declared micronation for vacationers. A brief ferry trip takes us to the island, which has lovely strolling trails framed by rows of majestic, tall timber, peacocks, and a smattering of cafes and eating places for guests. The location rose to prominence after it was featured within the 2002 Ok-Drama Winter Sonata, and introduced in Japanese vacationers in hordes who got here right here on a pilgrimage of types to see and recreate scenes from their favorite present. The tour information, figuring out I’m a Ok-Drama fan, encourages me to strike a Winter Sonata pose, which I ponder after which determine in opposition to. On a weekday, the island is calm, the air feels refreshing, and the paths are excellent for sluggish walks. For the extra adventurous, there are bikes to lease, or perhaps a zipline to attempt. 

Diving right into a bowl of Makguksu

All the strolling has made us hungry. There may be a chill within the air however for lunch, we attempt Gangwon’s regional speciality, makguksu. Buckwheat noodles, spicy sauce and boiled eggs in giant bowls are drenched with a relaxing, flavourful broth poured from aluminium kettles. “You attempt the noodles first after which add a soy sauce, spicy mustard or vinegar relying in your palate,” says Kim So Hee, a advertising and marketing supervisor with the Gangwon Tourism Department who guides us by how to do this regional delicacy. There is loads of banchan, or Korean facet dishes that replenish the desk, and the limitless refills have us thrilled for each meal within the coming days. 

A cable automobile with a view

A gaggle of aged girls kitted out in mountain climbing gear briskly stroll previous us as we guiltily wait to get on a cable automobile to take us up the Samaksan mountain, a mountain climbing hotspot. At 3.61 kilometre, this mountain cable automobile is the longest in South Korea, and our glass cable automobile provides us gorgeous views of Uiamho lake. The observatory deck from the highest of the mountain in the meantime, has a panoramic view of the lake and Chuncheon metropolis. The better part? Enjoying the views whereas comfortably seated at an Ediya espresso outlet there, and sipping on a candy potato latte, a drink I uncover in Korea and already can not appear to get sufficient of. 

A spicy regional favorite

We stroll by a slim alley stuffed choc-a-block with dakgalbi eating places in Chuncheon, one other regional specialty which is so beloved that town hosts a competition devoted to this spicy stir-fried hen dish yearly. At the restaurant we stroll into, tables are set with giant, steaming sizzling plates of dakgalbi on charcoal stoves, containing a saucy gochujang combination of diced hen, potatoes, and items of noodles. We put on aprons all prepared for the hearty meal, and it’s not lengthy earlier than we get the grasp of neatly wrapping up items of dakgalbi in perilla leaves, and washing it down with chilled bowls of maekgoli or rice wine. As the Koreans dive into meal, they are saying: Masuke Juseyo!(eat properly!)

A deep dive into Korean historical past

Around 4 hours away from Chuncheon, we drive by scenic Goseong, with its rolling hills and occasional sightings of the ocean to succeed in the Goseong Unification Observatory. We are within the northernmost a part of South Korea now, and a brief however steep stroll up leads us to the observatory, a large curved construction from the place we are able to see the DMZ, the Hwajinpo seashore within the East Sea, and a tiny glimpse of North Korea. There can be a DMZ museum there, for tales of the nation’s previous. 

Mountains for the photographs

We at the moment are on our option to the attractive coastal metropolis of Sokcho, and make a pitstop to soak up the sprawling Seoraksan mountains. There are locals right here in giant numbers, and plenty of of them are senior residents who’ve come to hike up the mountains. We as soon as once more take a cable automobile up, this time a brief 10 minute trip to the Gwongeumseong Fortress, which has gorgeous views of the mountains throughout. This is the place for all these contemplative Instagram poses, I realise. There are scores of vacationers making an attempt to strike a pose, some simply taking within the views, and plenty of others digging into spicy down under, having chosen to not do the ultimate climb to the point of view. 

To market, to market

In Sokcho, the fisheries market is nothing like a loud classroom. Long brightly lit corridors have outlets promoting each possible regional snack, stacks of artfully organized kimbap prepared for dinner service, an array of banchan which incorporates kimchi varieties, stir-fried greens, seasoned anchovies and extra, and quick meals stalls promoting every thing from ice lotions to crepes for the vacationers — the place looks like an orderly, sensory explosion of the perfect variety. Even once we are led to a delegated space the place the recent catch is offered, it’s all spanking clear minus the unmistakable stench of drying seafood. We dig into some sticky candy fried hen from one of many meals stalls, and purchase puffed rice muffins by the dozen, desirous to eat it when on the highway within the coming days. 

At our last pitstop for the night time in Sokcho, we’re handled to unmatched views of the ocean throughout. There is an odd calmness that falls over town as soon as the solar units, and the roaring of the ocean is all what you may hear. Some recent fish, an array of banchan, and stir-fried deodeok, a root vegetable tossed in gochujang, sesame and scallions with a facet of soju now await us. I may get used to this Korean life. Where are my charming, slice-of-life seaside Ok-Drama lovers at?

The author was in South Korea on invitation from Korea Tourism Organization.