Sokcho

Sokcho (속초) is the fishing port on the northeast coast that serves as the gateway to Seoraksan, the most visited mountain park in Korea. Seoraksan's granite spires rise straight out of forest, and the standard visit takes the cable car to the ruined walls of Gwongeumseong or walks in to Sinheungsa, where a bronze Buddha of fourteen metres sits before the peaks. Harder routes climb Ulsanbawi's six ridges by staircase or run to Daecheongbong, at 1,708 metres the third highest summit in the country. In town the tourist fishery market sells squid stuffed with noodles, and Abai Village is still crossed on a hand-pulled ferry hauled by passengers. The foliage here turns first in Korea, peaking in the second half of October, and the park is at its most crowded then.