10 Things to Do in Yangyang on a Small Budget

The Naksansa Temple, located on Mountain Obong overlooking the East Sea, just 5.5 km from Yangyang. It has a rich narrative that goes back thousands of years. The grounds are home to many sacred treasures, holy and historic structures, and cultural endowments. 

The tranquillity of the temple, the beautiful natural scenery, and the significant history here are huge draws for visitors to Yangyang. The unique assets at Naksansa Temple are a 7-storey pagoda, a copper bell, Hongyemun Gate, and a massive 16-metre-tall stone statue of the Bodhisattva of Mercy – the largest of its kind in East Asia. 

The Seoraksan National Park is a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve in South Korea. It's only 18 km from Yangyang and anywhere in the park, at any time of the year, offers a breathtakingly beautiful experience. From jagged mountain peaks, valley streams and waterfalls to rare plants and endangered wildlife to cultural monuments, the large park is a diverse sanctuary for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

The Seoraksan National Park has many activities that suit just about everyone, no matter how young or old. You can ride a cable car to Gwongeumseong Fortress and see ancient castle ruins, climb the dynamic peaks of Dinosaur Ridge, visit the larger-than-life bronze statue of Buddha in the valley, or relax at the exquisite Sinheungsa or the endearing Gyejoam Temple.

Jukdo is one of the many gorgeous beaches around Yangyang, many come here to view the spectacular sunrise, and others come to ride the waves. The endless stretch of sandy beach sees consistent wave action. Yangyang is considered the “surf mecca of Korea,” and Jukdo Beach, right in the centre of it all, is a surfing haven.

Yangyang has embraced and encouraged the surfer lifestyle. Jukdo and many surrounding local beaches are known for their surfer-friendly and relaxed atmosphere. With its gentle surf action and soft sandy bottom, this beach is an excellent spot to catch some waves, especially if you’re a beginner. Even If you aren’t into the surfer scene, Jukdo is still a beautiful beach to visit.

Visit the Micheongol Natural Recreation Forest for a leisurely change of pace. You can find it in the eastern part of the Taebaeksan mountain range, only 17 km from Yangyang. Dense forests, lush ravines, rivers, and cascading waterfalls are accessible within a 12-km-long valley that's virtually undisturbed by development.

The Micheongol Natural Recreation Forest is an excellent place to unwind and get in with nature in a quiet setting. The park also features the Bulbaragi Mineral Springs, a honey-bee farm, and Seollimwon – an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to the Silla Dynasty.

Uisangdae Pavilion commands astounding panoramic views, especially when the sun rises, of the rocky coast and the East Sea. The pavilion is named after Uisang; a Silla-era Buddhist monk purported to have established a temple here in 671. It is said that Uisang used to sit in this spot and meditate.

The word “dae” in Uisangdae relates to the positioning of a building so that everywhere you look, there is beauty. Perched on a seaside cliff in the Naksana Temple Complex, this ornate 6-sided structure surrounded by nature exemplifies this concept. Seeing the sunrise at Uisangdae is considered one of the top activities in Yangyang, especially if you’re here on New Year’s Day. 

The Hwanseon Limestone Cave, located about 1 hour from Yangyang, is Korea's most extensive limestone cave system. You can explore over 6 km of well-maintained passages, waterfalls, streams and pools. Due to heavy water flow, it does not have many stalactites or stalagmites but has plenty of pipestones, flows and curtains.

The chasms within the Hwanseon Limestone Cave are impressive, some reaching 100 metres in height. Staircases, bridges, and boardwalks have been built for easy access to this underworld wonderworld. Over 47 species of wildlife, including 4 endemic species, call these damp and cool tunnels home.

The Osaek Carbonated Hot Spring is a great place to soak in therapeutic warm waters that come from deep within the earth. Located 20 km west of Yangyang, this traditional Korean hot spring experience has 10 different baths, each with a specific temperature, pH level, and various healing properties for optimum health benefits. The soothing water is rich with minerals, including chloric acid, sulphur, manganese, and iron.

The Osaek Hot Springs were said to have been discovered by a Buddhist monk from the Seongguk Temple. Enjoy a soak in the warm waters and you’ll know why it’s such a popular destination.

The Hajodae Unmanned Lighthouse stands sentinel overlooking the East Sea. It sits on a rocky outcropping surrounded by weathered pine trees, just 10 km from Yangyang. The lighthouse offers lovely views of the sunrise during the day, and serves as a beacon of light at night. 

The cliff walk to Hajodae is spectacular, as are sweeping vistas from this stone precipice. Nearby Hajodae is a quiet beach with a breakwater and islands on one end. The rest of the sandy stretch is popular for other recreational water sports like swimming, paddling and tubing.

Namaehang Port is home to a red-and-white lighthouse, a breakwater, and fishing boats. It's the largest of 3 ports in Yangyang. The Namae Fishing Village Experience offers excursions for those looking to experience hand-fishing, rock crab catching, and lessons on cooking stuffed squid.

A spectacular highlight of Namaehang Port is the Namaehang Skywalk Observatory, a walkway out into the ocean with inlaid glass. You can walk over the glass and look below into the water – a beautiful and intimate way to view the sea.

The Gangwon Hyuhyuam Hermitage is a serene respite from regular day-to-day routines. Sculptures, temples, and significant areas along the rocky shoreline all offer a place for solace and soothing relaxation for the soul. In fact, the name means “rest and rest again.” The hermitage was just a simple shrine until 1999, when a large rock was discovered that resembled a reclining Buddha along the shore. 

Since then, the Gangwon Hyuhyuam Hermitage has continued to grow, and other stones of significance have been noted, like toe rock, foot rock, and turtle rock. If you’re here at the right time of the year, you can catch a glimpse of big-scaled redfin surfacing to feed.