Visiting Gangneung, South Korea: Top Sights on Foot

Things to do in Gangneung include exploring a historic traditional residence, discovering the region’s heritage, and seeing a venue connected with the 2018 Winter Olympics. On South Korea’s east coast, Gangneung offers a change of pace from larger cities, with a strong connection to local history and the sea. Neywo’s free audio guide for Gangneung brings three narrated places to life as you explore.

What to see in Gangneung

Seongyojang House of Gangneung

Seongyojang House of Gangneung, also known as Gangneung Seongyojang, is a spacious traditional residence in Unjeong-dong. Built as a 99-room upper-class house, it is associated with the scholar-official class and offers an important glimpse into the area’s historic residential architecture.

The house was designated National Folk Cultural Heritage number five on April 20, 1967. Its scale and heritage status make it one of the key places to include when exploring Gangneung’s traditional culture.

Ojukheon City Museum

Ojukheon City Museum is a public museum dedicated to the prehistoric and historical heritage of the Yeongdong region. It provides context for understanding the area’s past, from its earliest periods through its historical development.

For visitors interested in what to see in Gangneung beyond its coastal setting, the museum offers a focused way to explore the region’s heritage.

Gangneung Curling Centre

The Gangneung Curling Centre was the venue for curling during the 2018 Winter Olympics. From February 8 to 25, 2018, it hosted the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles competitions.

The Games marked the seventh time curling had appeared on the Olympic programme. Ten nations competed in both the men’s and women’s events, while eight countries took part in mixed doubles, with teams made up of one woman and one man. Curling was also the first sport to begin at the 2018 Winter Olympics: the opening mixed doubles preliminary game took place at 9:05 a.m. on February 8.

The centre connects Gangneung with a distinctive chapter in Olympic history and adds a modern sporting landmark to the city’s cultural attractions.

A city with links across South Korea

Gangneung is a useful destination for travellers building a wider South Korean itinerary. To place the city in context, explore the South Korea destination page, or compare it with other cities such as Gyeongju, Busan, and Jeonju.

Explore Gangneung with Neywo

Download Neywo and explore Gangneung with a free audio guide featuring three narrated places. Each story plays as you reach the place, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, so you can discover the city while walking independently and learn about its heritage as you go.