Samcheok Gangwon-do South Korea

The Samcheok Tourist Information Centre is located next to the intercity bus terminal, and there are English speaking staff working there (telephone 033-575-1330). They can help you with anything you could ever need, from restaurant bookings, to calling taxis, to detailed information and directions to tourist sites.

Haesingdang Park

Haesingdang Park (The Penis Park) is undoubtedly a must see destination if heading to Samcheok or the surrounds. An entire park dedicated to one thing (can you guess what it is yet?) and very worthy of a visit…
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Hwanseongul Cave Complex

Hwanseongul is a huge cave complex found under the mountains about 40 minutes from central Samcheok, and Hwanseon Cave is famous for being one of the largest limestone caves in Asia, and the biggest in Korea. The hike up to the cave takes around 30-45 minutes, and the journey around the interior will take you around an hour. (Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Address: Singi-myeon, Daei-ri. Entrance Fee: around 4,000 won)

Cave Exhibition Centres

There are 2 cave exhibition centres located close to each other and to Hwangseongul. One tells of the formation and history of caves (most information in Korean) and the other features life sized reconstructions of caves themselves.

Jukseo-ru Pavillion

Jukseo-ru Pavillion is one of the most cherished sights in the area by Koreans. Perched on top of a cliff, the pavillion overlooks the Osip river. It dates back to the 12th century but was reconstructed in 1403.

Beaches

Samcheok has some nice beaches, and Maengbang is one of the most popular. The water is shallow and the beach wild – it is usually quite spacious even in peak season.

Samcheok is home to a few festivals, such as the Jukseo Cultural Festival (various performances, stalls and a tug of war); Sunrise Festival (New Year celebrations) and the Beach Festival (where you can have a go at catching fish with your bare hands!). See the Samcheok City Website for full details.

The area has also twice hosted a Penis Sculpture Festival, including a giant phallus-carving contest. You can still see some of the amusing contest entries at the museum at Sinnam

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Samcheok is littered with loads of Korean and Western restaurants, and it is easy to find something here to satisfy your tastebuds – from Baskin Robbins ice cream, to Italian food, to fresh seafood. There is one long main street near the bus terminal where you can find many food choices. Otherwise, head down to the ocean for the best seafood places.

Young Café

Right across from Jukseoru Pavillion, you can find ‘Young Café’ (tel. 033 576-0064). Cups of coffee or yuja (citron) tea are about 4,000 won. It’s open daily from 8am - 10pm.

Pizza

There is a lovely little Italian restaurant next to Baskin Robbins, on the main street, not too far from the bus terminal. Prices are very reasonable for pizza in Korea, and the staff are very friendly. They also do take-away, and when we went there, the man working behind the counter had excellent English and was keen to chat to us for ages.

Sae-unhae

Right in front of the Samcheok Medical Centre is a place called ‘Sae-eunhae’, (1-6 Seungnae-dong - tel. 033 363-4633). Open daily from 10am to 10pm, you can find food such as yonsama for 10,000 won. Bowls of naengmyeon (cold noodles) are 5,000 won.

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On the first Sunday in August every year, there is a ‘Beach Marathon’ (in actual fact – a 5k, 10k and half marathon) held to commemorate Hwang Young Jo, a local Olympic hero.