Just last month, South Korea’s embassy in Manila announced visa-free travel options for Filipinos. We can now travel directly to Jeju Island and to Gangwon, a province just an hour and a half drive east of Seoul. If like me, you haven’t heard of Gangwon-do before, let me tell you right away that there’s much to see and that there’s so much more to Korea than its capital.
K-drama and K-pop may be the catch that reels Filipinos to visit Korea but upon arrival, one will immediately realize that there’s still much to discover. The culture is so rich, you’ll immediately see that all the Joseon dramas you consumed during the pandemic weren’t enough. Three days and two nights barely allowed our group to scratch the surface but it was a fun, cultural immersion nonetheless.
Whether at the height of summer or in the dead of winter, travelers tend to flock to Gangwon-do for recreation, its history, and to sample its rich cuisine.
Dive into history
Just a short drive from Yangyang International Airport is Naksan Temple. A popular spot for watching the sunrise, it requires an easy, 20-minute trek that rewards you with the vision of a 16-meter statue of the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and an outstanding view of the East Sea.
Ojukheon, a well-preserved early Joseon dynasty wooden structure, was one of our tour’s historical stops. It was the house where Confucian scholar Yi I (1536-1584) and his mother artist and writer Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) lived. They are featured on the 5,000 and 50,000 Korean won notes respectively. During our tour, we saw teenage girls proudly taking photos with a statue of Shin Saimdang. It’s lovely to see the younger generation putting value in history.
A short walk from the compound is the Ojuk Hanok Village, where guests can stay in a traditional Korean home but with modern comforts like air conditioning. I’m sure it’s quite the experience to stay but a short walk in the picturesque village is also great if you’re pressed for time.
Bask in nature, whichever season
Take a dip in Sokcho or Surfyy Beach. The former is great for families, with a huge Ferris wheel offering views of the city while the latter draws in a younger crowd. At Surfyy Beach, there’s music playing as well as surfers doing their thing and young people just sitting at the bar, having a drink. I could stay there for hours.
Luck was on our side as the lavender fields were in full bloom during our visit. Hani Lavender farm is a great stop for photos, but more so for aspiring horticulturists.
K-drama and K-pop may be the catch that reels Filipinos to visit Korea but upon arrival, one will immediately realize that there’s still much to discover. The culture is so rich, you’ll immediately see that all the Joseon dramas you consumed during the pandemic weren’t enough.
Gangwon-do is also home to the county of Pyeongchang, which hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics. Here, you’ll find ski resorts like Yongpyong that still draw in visitors in the summer. A cable car ride brings you to a viewing deck that offers vast, verdant views of well-preserved nature. Pictures offer a preview of how it looks during winter—stunning slopes for skiing, glistening under the bright sunlight.
Immerse in art
Korea’s largest immersive media art exhibition can also be found in Gangneung, a city in Gangwon-do. Arte Museum opened toward the end of 2021. It is home to multimedia artworks that reflect the region’s natural characteristics. It’s a multi-sensory experience which transports you to a different scene through each gallery you visit. Quite notable was the fragrant scent one inhales upon entering a room labeled “Thunder.” It truly was like being in the middle of a storm.
Indulge in local cuisine and caffeine
Of course, the food did not disappoint at all. Bulgogi topped with the region’s famed mushrooms, spicy seafood hot pot, grilled mackerel, and soft tofu were just some of the dishes we got to sample. All served at restaurants the way one would eat them in a Korean home, with lots of well-made side dishes they call banchan. We also got to sample street food and traditional snacks at Sokcho and Jungang Markets.
Tofu ice cream is also popular in the region as well as raw crab in soy sauce. Both may throw off some picky eaters but don’t knock them ‘till you’ve tried them. They’re some of the most interesting flavors I’ve ever tried.
In Gangneung, there’s a whole street lined by coffee shops facing the sea. Yes, there’s a Starbucks, but I urge you to drop by the local, third-wave establishments instead. Most of them are thoughtfully designed, going for several stories with terraces that make for the perfect hang-out spots rain or shine. I envy locals for having access to such a place and to all the great coffee.
And yes, hallyu
For fans of the Korean wave, fret not. There’s something for you in Gangwon-do. You’ll find the BTS Bus Stop on Jumunjin beach where it’s practically a religious site, part of an ARMY’s pilgrimage. For drama watchers, the breakwater on the same beach is where Gong Yoo and Kim Go-Eun shot one of the most famous scenes from Goblin (Dokkaebi).
Traveling visa-free
Conditions for visa-free entry include entering and exiting Korea via Yangyang, having a maximum stay of 15 days, and booking a tour with accredited travel agencies. The tour can cover both Gangwon province and Seoul’s Metropolitan Area.
Fly Gangwon, a regional airline that takes you straight to Yangyang, has resumed flights from Clark International Airport. It’s a red-eye flight but that does help you save by skipping one night at a hotel. Amb. Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega was in Yangyang on the day of our arrival, attending the ceremony for the flight resumptions.
It’s not my first time in Korea, having welcomed 2017 in Seoul—in Bosingak, no less. I enjoyed it so much that I vowed to return and immerse myself further in the country’s culture. Gangwon-do was a great choice for that. For first-time visitors, it also offers quite the holistic Korea experience, something to consider as you make your revenge travel plans.