Sokcho

Sokcho (Korean: 속초; (Korean pronunciation: [sok̚.tɕʰo])) is a city in Gangwon-do province, South Korea. It is located in the far northeast of Gangwon-do. The city is a major tourist hub, and a popular gateway to nearby Seoraksan national park. Sokcho is home to the few lakes: Yeongrangho and Cheongchoho that are naturally created by the Sea of Japan.[1]

Sokcho

속초시
Municipal City
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul속초시
 • Hanja束草市
 • Revised RomanizationSokcho-si
 • McCune-ReischauerSokch'o-si
Sokcho from the Lighthouse Observatory
Flag
Emblem of Sokcho
Location in South Korea
Coordinates: 38°12′25″N 128°35′31″E
Country South Korea
RegionGwandong
Administrative divisions10 dong
Area
 • Total105.25 km2 (40.64 sq mi)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total89,461
 • Density850/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
 • Dialect
Gangwon
ClimateCfa
Sokcho Beach in 2018

History

Sokcho originally was a part of Dongye from roughly 3rd-century BC to around early 5th-century. Sokcho started from just a fishing village with a few people around Cheongchoho. In 1905, it became one of the major ports because of its geological feature. Since Cheongchoho lake is adjacent to the Sea of Japan, big ships were able to come in and out with ease. Later on, Sokcho, linked with Seoul by air and road, the city became a mineral transfer port in 1937. Upon the division of the Korean peninsula into two countries following World War II, Sokcho was on the North Korean side of the border, but since the Korean War armistice (1953), it has been a part of South Korea.[2][3]

Tourism
View of Sokcho from Seoraksan
Sinheung Temple

Seoraksan National Park is located in the vicinity of Sokcho, and attracts many domestic and international tourists. The city itself is known for the beach, natural hot springs and golf courses, as well as its fine fishery products.

The nearby Yeongrangho lake is renowned for its beauty. The reflection of Seoraksan and its Ulsanbawi are particularly popular. There are a number of well-preserved Buddhist temples in the area around Sokcho. The main building of the Sinheungsa temple (Geukrakbojeon) is a major tourist destination (originally built in the 15th century). Also notable is the Hyangseongsaji samcheung seoktap, a three-storey pagoda of 4.3 metres. It dates from 652 and is located at the site of the Hyangseongsa temple.

Yeonggeumjeong, a pavilion built on the shores of Sokcho, is popular for its magnificent views of the sunrise, as well as for hearing the sound of the sea. It is thought that the pavilion was built at this location for sonic reasons.

Marina Yacht is located in Cheongchoho Lake Park and it provides a yacht tour on a wide expanse of the Sea of Japan. The yacht sailing begins and ends at Cheongcho Marina passing Seorakdaegyo Bridge, Dongmyeonghang Port, Jodo in order. Marina Yacht rents boats to people who have a boat driving license. The place also operates a café.[4]

Yeongrangho Hwarangdo Experience Center is held various experience programs, horse riding members recruitment, and annual World Knight Championship. The center contributes to the transmission of traditional horseback martial art and popularization, and vitalization of horse riding.[5]

Abai village near Seoraksan was originally set up as an area to house North Korean refugees in Sokcho due to the separation of the two Koreas. Consequently, many of the population have relatives in North Korea. The village has seen increased tourism due to the popularity of the Korean Drama Autumn in My Heart on KBS

In July 2016, Sokcho became one of the few locations in South Korea where Pokémon Go could be played due to government restrictions on mapping data. Players flocked to the city, causing bus tickets to sell out.[6][7]

In 1999, Gangwon International Tourism Expo was held.[8]

Today, a number of tourists are also attracted by the closeness to the DMZ.

Sokcho used to have its own airport, linking the city to Seoul. Currently, the city is served by the Yangyang International Airport.

The opening of KTX Kyung Kang line has made it convenient for travelers to visit Gangwon-Do province which is only an 86-minute train ride that starts from Seoul and tons of attractions.[9]

  • Ulsanbawi is a rock with 6 peaks
  • Ulsanbawi is a rock with 6 peaks (2019)
  • Dong Myung Hang
  • Dong Myung Hang
  • Yeongrangho (Yeonglangho, Yeongnangho) Lake
  • Cheongchoho Lake
  • Cheongcho Marina
  • Cheongcho Marina
  • KTX (Korea Train eXpress) Stay

Food

Sockho's traditional market is full of things to see, buy, and eat. Formed in 1953 as the Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, it was included on the Korea Tourism Organization's list of “Best Traditional Markets for Foreign Tourists” last year. With fresh fish caught off the coast in the Sea of Japan to dried fish and various vegetables, one can have fun just looking around and watching the fishmongers bargaining with local market goers.[10][11]

Sokcho is known for Hoe, which is a raw fish. The coastal waters provide good fishing grounds for Ojingeo, Myeongtae, Gwangeo and Godeungeo.[12][13]

Sundubu can be found in the streets of the tofu towns such as Sinheung Sundubu and Haksapyeong Sundubu - it is made from Seoraksan and Sea of Japan water.[14]

Sokcho offers a unique twist to Sundae (not the eponymous dessert) by using Ojingeo instead of pork intestines. The Ojingeo-sundae consists of squid stir-fry, made with noodles and blood sausage, with carrots, onions, seaweed and spices mixed together, covered with thin fried egg yolk.[15][16]

  • Ojingeo Sundae
  • Godeungeo Hoe
  • Gwangeo Hoe
  • Jeon Bok Hoe
  • Mae Un Tang
  • Sundubu Jjigae

Culture

Local cuisine can be experienced in the various food districts of the city. "Foodtown" is a two block area dedicated to restaurants where visitors can find mainly Korean style beef pork and chicken restaurants. Daepo harbor, outside of Sokcho on the road to Yangyang offers more than 100 individual mini restaurants serving diverse seafood dishes. An own unique stuffed squid dish, Abai Sundae, can be found in Abai village.

In October Sokcho comes to life with the Seorak Cultural Festival, which includes parades, stage shows, contests, races and various other forms of entertainment. The rice cake making sampling contests are particularly popular. Another unusual event is the Gaet-Bae, or raft, race. Two teams propel the rafts across the course by pulling on long handled hooks catching the cable that straddles the deck of each raft.

Climate

Sokcho straddles the line between a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa)[17] and a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa).[18]

Climate data for Sokcho (1981–2010, extremes 1968–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.8
(60.4)		 19.1
(66.4)		 26.9
(80.4)		 32.5
(90.5)		 32.6
(90.7)		 35.3
(95.5)		 37.1
(98.8)		 36.0
(96.8)		 34.1
(93.4)		 29.3
(84.7)		 23.9
(75.0)		 17.8
(64.0)		 37.1
(98.8)
Average high °C (°F) 3.8
(38.8)		 5.5
(41.9)		 9.6
(49.3)		 16.0
(60.8)		 20.4
(68.7)		 22.7
(72.9)		 26.0
(78.8)		 27.0
(80.6)		 23.6
(74.5)		 19.4
(66.9)		 12.8
(55.0)		 6.9
(44.4)		 16.2
(61.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.3
(31.5)		 1.5
(34.7)		 5.5
(41.9)		 11.5
(52.7)		 15.9
(60.6)		 19.2
(66.6)		 22.8
(73.0)		 23.7
(74.7)		 19.8
(67.6)		 15.0
(59.0)		 8.6
(47.5)		 2.7
(36.9)		 12.2
(54.0)
Average low °C (°F) −4.1
(24.6)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 1.5
(34.7)		 7.1
(44.8)		 11.8
(53.2)		 16.0
(60.8)		 20.1
(68.2)		 20.9
(69.6)		 16.3
(61.3)		 10.8
(51.4)		 4.5
(40.1)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 8.5
(47.3)
Record low °C (°F) −16.4
(2.5)		 −16.2
(2.8)		 −11.6
(11.1)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 3.8
(38.8)		 6.6
(43.9)		 12.6
(54.7)		 13.7
(56.7)		 9.5
(49.1)		 −0.3
(31.5)		 −8.7
(16.3)		 −14.7
(5.5)		 −16.4
(2.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 44.3
(1.74)		 46.9
(1.85)		 56.9
(2.24)		 64.3
(2.53)		 95.5
(3.76)		 115.7
(4.56)		 246.9
(9.72)		 293.0
(11.54)		 232.9
(9.17)		 88.7
(3.49)		 78.8
(3.10)		 38.2
(1.50)		 1,402.2
(55.20)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5.8 6.7 8.6 8.0 9.0 11.4 15.6 15.2 11.2 7.3 7.5 4.8 111.1
Average snowy days 5.0 5.1 4.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 2.2 17.3
Average relative humidity (%) 50.8 55.1 60.8 61.5 69.0 78.6 82.2 82.6 77.5 65.3 55.8 49.5 65.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 183.0 171.5 190.5 212.4 216.0 162.9 137.8 151.8 165.2 188.4 168.5 181.9 2,129.9
Percent possible sunshine 60.0 56.4 51.4 53.7 48.9 36.8 30.6 35.9 44.2 54.2 55.4 61.4 47.8
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration[19][20][21] (percent sunshine and snowy days)[22]

Sister cities
  • Sokcho south of Lake Cheongchoho
  • Seorak Mountains adjacent to Sokcho
  • Squid drying at the Taepo Fish Market in Sokcho
  • Sinsuro Arched Bridge over Lake Cheongchoho in Sokcho
  • Squid boats on Lake Cheongchoho in Sokcho
  • Expo Tower in Sokcho

See also

References
  1. "Sokcho / Yangyang". Gangwon EPIK. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  2. "속초시", 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 (in Korean), 2019-10-14, retrieved 2019-12-05
  3. "Sokch'o | South Korea". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  4. "Tourist Attractions - Marina Yacht 상세화면 | 강원관광-영문 > Trip to Gangwon-do > Tourist Attractions". www.gangwon.to. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  5. "Main | 강원관광-영문 > Main". www.gangwon.to. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  6. "South Koreans flock to remote northern area to play Pokémon Go". The Guardian. 13 July 2016.
  7. "Will 'Pokemon Go' launch in Korea?". Korea Herald. 2016-07-13.
  8. "7번 국도의 낭만이 살아있는 '속초' 가볼만한 곳과 맛집 - 트래블바이크뉴스". www.travelnbike.com (in Korean). 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  9. New KTX Gyeonggang Line opens, taking passengers from Seoul to Gangneung in less than 2 hours, retrieved 2019-12-04
  10. iamontheroad.net http://iamontheroad.net/blog/foods-in-sokcho/?ckattempt=1. Retrieved 2019-12-05. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. "Sokcho has a lot of local specialties sure to delight all travelers. | Official Korea Tourism Organization". english.visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  12. "Sokcho – Travel guide at Wikivoyage". en.wikivoyage.org. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  13. "Korean Hweh, aka Raw Seafood". Eat Your Kimchi. 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  14. "Sokcho – Travel guide at Wikivoyage". en.wikivoyage.org. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  15. "Sokcho – Travel guide at Wikivoyage". en.wikivoyage.org. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  16. "Nasty Bits: Korean Blood Sausage". www.seriouseats.com. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  17. Kottek, M.; J. Grieser; C. Beck; B. Rudolf; F. Rubel (2006). "World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated" (PDF). Meteorol. Z. 15 (3): 259–263. doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  18. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson B. L. & McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606.
  19. 평년값자료(1981–2010), 속초(90) (in Korean). Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  20. 기후자료 극값(최대값) 전체년도 일최고기온 (℃) 최고순위, 속초(90) (in Korean). Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  21. 기후자료 극값(최대값) 전체년도 일최저기온 (℃) 최고순위, 속초(90) (in Korean). Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  22. "Climatological Normals of Korea" (PDF). Korea Meteorological Administration. 2011. p. 499 and 649. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  23. South Korean Investors Took a Fancy to Partizansk. It is planned to build an enterprise on production of charcoal in the city of miners - Economics - Vladivostok Times. Far East media news. Russian news. Vladivostok Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine. Vladivostoktimes.ru. Retrieved on 2013-07-12.
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