A train runs along the east coast near Jeongdongjin Station in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
GANGNEUNG, Gangwon Province — "This is Jeongdongjin Station, the closest station to the sea. Dear passengers, please get off to the platform, take a look at the sea, take pictures and get back on board before the train departs," an announcement says as the train arrives at Jeongdongjin Station.
A 105-minute train ride from Seoul Station leads to the picturesque coastal town of Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, located on the east coast of the Korean Peninsula.
Against the backdrop of the crystalline East Sea, the small seaside terminal, which is also listed in the Guinness World Records as the closest train station to the sea, has long been a favorite sunrise spot for Koreans.
The highlight of the seaside village is Jeongdong Simgok Badabuchae-gil, Korea's only coastal terrace and topography that dates back to ancient times, offering an experience akin to traveling back in time.
A coastal deck along Jeongdong Simgok Badabuchae-gil in Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
'Sea fan road'
The 2.86-kilometer seaside route linking Jeongdongjin to the neighboring village of Simgok was opened to the public in 2017 following the installation of wooden and steel decks.
The name of the trail, “Badabuchae-gil," which means “sea fan road” in Korean, was coined by Gangneung-born novelist Lee Soon-won, after the topography of Jeongdongjin, where the trail was constructed, which resembles a fan spreading toward the sea.
A few steps from the entrance to the trail, visitors will be greeted by breathtaking views.
On one side, visitors can enjoy the landscape of the East Sea, where giant waves crash against rocks of all shapes, splashing foam into the air, while on the other side, they can admire the grand coastal cliffs featuring unique topography.
The trail is more than just a scenic route.
Known as the area with the oldest sedimentary rock formations on the Korean Peninsula, visitors can appreciate the staircase-shaped topography, which indicates how the East Sea was created when what is now the Japanese archipelago separated from the Korean terrain due to tectonic fluctuations 2.3 million years ago.
The rocky cliffs, designated as a natural monument due to their geological value, also show signs of sea level fluctuations and trace evidence of ice and interglacial periods.
A signboard is on display along the coastal trail of Jeongdong Simgok Badabuchae-gil in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
Military history
Before being transformed into a tourist resource that attracts over 800,000 visitors annually, the trail was previously used solely for military patrols.
After the 1950-53 Korean War, the coast frequently experienced provocations from North Korea, particularly from the 1960s to the mid-1990s.
The coastal trail, which has remained well preserved for decades, was opened to the public after joint discussions by the Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Heritage Service.
Access to the coast remains restricted for civilians in certain areas, and the soldiers maintain a vigilant presence, ensuring tight security. Consequently, visitors along the trail may still come across military facilities, including sentinel posts, as they explore the region today.
Additionally, visitors should note that by the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act, photography and internet exposure of military facilities along the trail are prohibited.
A rocky coast lines Jeongdong Simgok Badabuchae-gil in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
Mesmerizing scenery
The highlight of the rocky coastal trail is a series of uniquely shaped rocks.
One such rock is “tugu bawi,” which resembles a soldier wearing a helmet. Legends say that during the 981-1392 Goryeo Dynasty, Gen. Kang Gam-chan drove a six-toed, six-legged tiger in the neighborhood to Mount Paektu and relieved villagers of their fear.
The scenic trail — that is easily accessible to most and not just hiking enthusiasts — also offers a unique auditory experience.
Visitors are encouraged to sit on the bench near the observatory, close their eyes for a moment and enjoy the gentle sound of the wind, accompanied by the crashing of heavy waves.
At the end of the trail, Mongdol, or pebble stone beach, provides a rhythmic sound as small pebbles clink against each other along the shore.
Notably, the newly opened section that was revealed in 2022 offers a barrier-free trail. From Jeongdong Port to Mongdol Beach, the section has no stairs, allowing anyone from older adults to people in wheelchairs and families with children to enjoy the scenic stroll.
Simgok Port in Simgok-ri, Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
After about an hour of walking from Jeongdongjin, the trail concludes in Simgok, a small seaside town whose name translates to “village deep in a valley.”
The village in the valley is so deeply embedded in the mountains that it is said that during the Korean War, the villagers continued on with life without knowing that the war broke out.
Today, the village that was once hidden and remained untouched is now easily accessible via the well-polished coastal road.
Jeongdong Simgok Badabuchae-gil is among the Top 100 tourist destinations of Korea for 2025-2026, designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization.
The project aims to select and promote Korea's representative tourist destinations every two years that Koreans and foreign tourists must visit.