From Sokcho to Yangyang: A Spontaneous Day Trip to the East Coast
■ Destination: Initially planned for Sokcho, it turned into Yangyang. The concept of the day was 'P's Trip'.
■ Itinerary (Day Trip Course): Dong Seoul → Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal → Dongmyeong-dong 'Lighthouse Beach' (debatable?) → Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory / Yeonggeumjeong (Couldn't enter Yeonggeumjeong due to construction) → Lunch at 'Alchan Grilled Fish' (The food was neat, simple, and delicious, but the kind owner was the most memorable part) → Took a connecting bus between Yangyang and Sokcho, enjoying scenic views of Sokcho/Mulchi/Mongdol/Yangyang beaches → Arrived at Naksan → Yangyang Naksansa Temple → Sokcho Central Market (A paradise for food, but we had a light dinner) → Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal → Dong Seoul
■ Trip Review:
[Pros] A day trip is possible, offering diverse ocean views along the coastline. Naksansa is a beautiful place in Yangyang that I want to visit many times.
[Cons] Prior research was needed to find authentic local food.
■ Background of the Trip:
The desire to escape to somewhere on the East Sea arose while working from home on Wednesday.
I wanted to visit 'Yangyang Naksansa Temple,' which is said to grant one wish,
But train and bus tickets were fully booked these days.
Feeling the urge to go even just to Sokcho,
I quickly booked the remaining bus seats, even if it meant sitting apart from my partner.
Then, I informed my partner about the trip.
The original destination was the small town of Sokcho,
But after having lunch in Sokcho,
We took a bus connecting Sokcho and Yangyang and finally made it to Yangyang Naksansa Temple.
It was truly 'P's Trip'.
But in my heart, I had been searching for something to heal my tired mind and the even more tiring summer weather for a long time.
(The expression 'craving' is more accurate.)
I wanted to go to the East Sea, especially 'Yangyang Naksansa Temple'.
Even though it was 'P's trip, I had already organized and decided in my mind to 'go to the East Sea'.
Not just going back and forth between home and work.
It was like something from a creator who represents my feelings.
■ Travel Journal 1. Sokcho revisited after 4 years, cherishing good memories. I didn't know it would take 4 hours.
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal.
I didn't know it even when I left early in the morning and took the 7:30 AM bus.
That I would go to Sokcho, then Mulchi, Yangyang, and Naksan.
And that the 2-hour and 10-minute journey between Seoul and Sokcho would turn into 4 hours due to the vacation season.
It was almost the same amount of time it takes to go to a region in Gyeongsang Province from Seoul.
Sokcho is where I went with my partner for our first beach trip on a hot summer day in 2021.
The sun was shining and it was hot, but I had good memories of the unfamiliar place called Sokcho,
And the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was still impressive,
So I wanted to visit again, and I came back together after 4 years.
Sokcho, revisited after 4 years, still felt quiet and peaceful,
But I got the impression that many shiny new apartments had been built.
'The ocean view from the higher floors must be amazing.'
Feeling a slightly different atmosphere, I walked from the Intercity Bus Terminal
To 'Lighthouse Beach' in Dongmyeong-dong.
Rather, the weather felt like it was going to rain, so it wasn't humid and I could walk.
Hmm. Perhaps because the waves weren't strong that day, I didn't feel anything special about the beach view,
And immediately headed towards the nearby 'Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory' and 'Yeonggeumjeong'.
■ Travel Journal 2. A panoramic view from Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory / Washing away worries while sitting on a rock
You can see the entire area around 'Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory' in Dongmyeong-dong at a glance.
An international port, a few new buildings that far surpass the old apartments, and clouds surrounding the mountains.
If it rains a lot or the waves are strong, those rocks are all covered.
Coming down from the observatory and sitting on the rocks, watching the waves lapping, it feels like worries are being washed away.
Yeonggeumjeong was under construction at the entrance, so I couldn't enter. The sight and sound of the waves hitting the rocks on which Yeonggeumjeong stands are spectacular. Even viewed from afar, Yeonggeumjeong is spectacular.
■ Travel Journal 3. Walking and walking to find local restaurants / 'Alchan Grilled Fish' A neat and simple restaurant
On the way to fill our stomachs, a cute sign that looks like it was drawn by the daughter or granddaughter of a store.
'Alchan Grilled Fish' The side dishes were really delicious, and the grilled fish and abalone stew were neat and simple. Above all, the kind service of the person who appeared to be the owner was memorable.
■ Travel Journal 4. It was Sokcho, but it turned into Yangyang. / 'Yangyang Naksansa Temple' was insane.
The place we moved to after eating was not Sokcho Beach, but Yangyang Naksansa Temple. (Parking lot in front of Naksansa Temple)
On the way to Naksansa Temple. Walking up the ZIG-ZAG wooden deck, you can also see a detached building where temple stays are held.
The entrance to Naksansa Temple is bound to give you the impression that 'the landscaping is amazing'.
'Asking for directions on the road' - The road where dreams come true, the road with excitement, the road where wishes come true, the road where worries are resolved, the road where the heart becomes happy - Various roads of Naksansa Temple.
A small but impressive stone pagoda that keeps catching my eye.
Walking the road to the Avalokiteśvara statue where dreams come true,
There is also a wheelchair path, you can see people's excited appearances, and you can see new buildings worth entering.
Finally, you can see the Avalokiteśvara statue that grants dreams.
To actually see the 'Avalokiteśvara statue' that I only saw in my mother's paintings!
I watched the Avalokiteśvara statue for a long time, which was in harmony with the sea, clouds, mountains, and people's hearts and wishes, and then came down.
The proper landscaping and surrounding scenery of Naksansa Temple was just beginning. What is there to say? You have to go and see it for yourself.
Not very big, but my eyes are drawn to the various patterns on the stone pagodas.
A place with so many Buddha statues that my eyes widened.
Gwaneumji Pond. Greenery fills the pond to the brim.
Endless attractions. Is the sound of waves hitting the rocks the end here? It continues further.
You might think 'I've seen everything now,' but that's not true. If you put in a little more effort and walk, ... a great view unfolds.
A temple on a rock by the beach... (I was reminded of the Rock Bar at the Ayana Hotel Resort in Bali, Indonesia.)
This is what the scenery of a temple with an Avalokiteśvara statue on the beach is like. It made me want to visit other seaside temples.
On the way back, there is a tea house with a sea view, and you can also see Yangyang Beach. And in front of it, another grandiose resort is being built.
On the way back to Sokcho by bus, I could see various shapes of beaches through the window. The sea is so pretty.
■ Travel Journal 5. Sokcho downtown streets and the way back to Seoul
A sign with a cute font that says 'Heritage'.
A beautiful neighborhood that makes you want to keep exploring the heritage of Sokcho and Yangyang.
At the same time, new buildings are being built one after another.
(Yes. The world is changing.)
The quiet scenery in front of the Squid Street.
■ Travel Journal 6. P's Trip
These days, I've been dominated by minor stress.
To wash these away,
I was determined to go to the sea.
Although I didn't spend a lot of time on a day trip,
The amount of time spent wasn't important.
What was important was whether I was taking care of myself well in my daily life.
I thought that only foreign countries had great ocean views, but
I realized that I hadn't traveled the world enough.
When I looked it up, there are so many wonderful ocean view temples and ocean view hotels in Korea.
Of course, you need a certain amount of money and time to enjoy all of this.
But sometimes, not having money and time feels like an excuse.
Posting the last photo of Ayana, Rock Bar in Bali...
I pledge to actively enjoy even small moments,
And to spend a lot of time cherishing myself...
I finish my travel log after a long time.
The end!
Yangyang Naksansa Temple has scenery like Ayana Rock Bar in Bali!
Great things aren't always far away.
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