Unexpected Charm: A Day Trip to Mukho, Gangwon-do
During my recent trip to Gangwon-do, Mukho turned out to be the most surprisingly enjoyable place.
Initially, I planned to visit only the Instagram-famous Mukoya gift shop and the Lighthouse House, but there were so many things to see around that one day wasn't enough.
Arriving in Mukho, I discovered that you can easily follow a 5-course itinerary:
① Mukho Port Waterfront Park → ② Nongeoldam-gil (Mukoya & Lighthouse House) → ③ Dotjaebigol Sky Valley & Haerang Observatory → ④ Mukho Lighthouse Marine Culture Space (+ Eodal Port)
This itinerary is definitely a must-try for a summer trip in Korea! All four locations have public parking lots available on the roadside.
Note that Nongeoldam-gil and Mukho Lighthouse Marine Culture Space have small parking lots, but they are very limited (capacity for 15 cars, no U-turn space).
① Mukho Port Waterfront Park: Stroll on the deck extending over the sea and enjoy both sunrise and night views.
Admission: Free
Open: Year-round
The waterfront park has a promenade built along the breakwater, so you're right next to the sea.
Grab a coffee and sit on the deck to enjoy the ASMR of the waves!
There are also photo zones with sculptures throughout the park, making it a great spot for capturing the vibes of Gangwon-do.
The night view is surprisingly beautiful, and it's connected to Haerang Observatory on the opposite side, offering a refreshing view. It's open year-round, so you can visit without any time constraints.
② Nongeoldam-gil: A walk through a small village on a hill, including Mukoya and Lighthouse House.
Admission: Free
Open: Year-round
My Donghae trip's genuine charm started here.
The alleyways on the hill overlooking the sea are filled with murals, small cafes, and souvenir shops, so you can capture great photos just by walking around.
Browse hairpins and dishes at Mukoya gift shop (24-5, Lighthouse Oreum-gil), and pick up a rainbow pot at Lighthouse House (17-6, Nongeol 1-gil) for the perfect souvenir. Nongeoldam-gil has several courses, so you can choose one that fits your time.
③ Dotjaebigol Sky Valley & Haerang Observatory: Named after 'Dokkebi' (Korean goblin), even more beautiful at night.
Admission: Adults ₩3,000 / Children & Teenagers ₩2,000
Hours: 10:00 ~ 21:00 (Closed every Monday)
I asked about the unique name "Dotjaebi" and learned that it's the Gangwon dialect for 'Dokkebi' (Korean goblin).
The name comes from a local legend that blue lights (goblin lights) flickered in the Mukho fish market on rainy nights. That's why the atmosphere is so mysterious when the lights come on at night.
The blue East Sea spreads out beneath the glass floor of the Skywalk, and it's even a bit eerie when the wind blows!
There are only two activities to experience at Sky Valley!
Riding the Sky Cycle gives you the cool sensation of cycling over the sea, which made my hands sweat a bit. The Giant Slide was more thrilling than expected, and everyone was laughing as they came down!
The fees are (on-site): Sky Cycle ₩15,000, Slide ₩3,000 (age, region, and group discounts available, height/weight restrictions apply). Operating hours and fees may vary by season, so it's a good idea to check before you go.
Operating hours are frequently posted by season. For example, during the autumn/early winter night opening (November), it was open from 10:00 to 21:00. It's best to see the night view during the summer season, so I plan to come back at night next time.
They also hold various events and night openings, so check the Haerang Observatory and Sky Valley Instagram or Naver announcements to participate for some extra fun!
④ Mukho Lighthouse Marine Culture Space: Lighthouse views + mini exhibition, a great way to finish your walk.
Admission: Free
Operating Hours: Park entrance closes at 6 PM
Climbing up to the lighthouse offers an unobstructed view of the sea, making you want to take endless photos.
The core attractions are the marine culture exhibition and the view. Operating hours are generally 09:00~17:00.
We went on a weekday and were able to park in the small parking lot at the top. Even on a weekday, we barely managed to get the last spot!
Mukho is incredibly efficient because you can visit one place and easily explore all 4 courses. From the sea and hills to the observatory and lighthouse, it's exactly my kind of place.
Next time, I plan to catch the sunset and fully enjoy the night views.
And don't forget to visit Eodal Port, which is a short drive from here!
I hope you have a refreshing and healing time watching the cool sea in the hot summer!
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