A year-round draw — now the region’s go-to tourism hub
Sokcho — Reporter Lee Seong-hyun
Seorak Hyanggi-ro, developed by Sokcho City in Gangwon Province, has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors in roughly 20 months since opening. It’s quickly become a focal point for reviving tourism in Seorak-dong, a result officials attribute to steady visitor demand and coordinated local upgrades.
On the 19th, Sokcho City said Seorak Hyanggi-ro attracts guests year-round with features like a skywalk, a suspension bridge, and striking nighttime lighting. Those elements have helped position it at the center of regional tourism. The evening lighting, especially, encourages longer stays — turning Seorak-dong from a quick stop into a place worth lingering.
The city is also speeding up improvements across Seorak-dong’s B district to strengthen the tourism base. Vacant lots are being converted into rest areas to boost visitor comfort, and additional landscape lighting is being installed to enhance night-time appeal. These upgrades aim to make the visitor route connected to Seorak Hyanggi-ro more comfortable and attractive.
The remodeling of the Seoraksan Cultural Facility (formerly the HongSam Experience Center), a key piece of local tourism infrastructure, is progressing smoothly. The plan is to transform the aging facility into a mixed-use cultural space: exterior renovations are expected to wrap up by June, with interior build-out completed in the first half of next year and a public opening slated for the second half.
A Sokcho city official said, “Surpassing 500,000 visitors at Seorak Hyanggi-ro reaffirms the potential for Seorak-dong’s tourism rebound. We will continue to strengthen Seorak Hyanggi-ro as a stay-focused tourism hub.”
