Gangneung: History, Culture and Wolhwa Street

Gangneung offers several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: historic administrative and educational sites, a walking path on a former railway line, a seasonal night market and the annual Gangneung Danoje Festival. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Wolhwa Street: Railway Line and Night Market

Wolhwa Street is a 2.6-kilometer walking path built along a disused railway line. It begins at Gangneung Station and runs through the city center. Wolhwagyo Bridge was converted from an old railway bridge. The name Wolhwa Street also has a cultural connection: Wolhwajeong Pavilion, after which the street is named, appears in a romantic love story about Muwollang and Lady Yeonhwa.

A night market is held on Wolhwa Street from May to October. It includes a food market, a flea market and a busking area; these areas may change. The night market is therefore seasonal, running from May to October. The Gangneung Danoje Festival dates, on the other hand, follow the lunar calendar; check the specific festival dates for your travel year.

Historic Sites and Confucian Tradition

Myeongju-dong was Gangneung’s former city center because the city’s former city hall and a government office from the Joseon period were located there. The Gangneung Daedohobu Government Office includes restored Joseon-era buildings, including the well-preserved Chilsadang Government Office and the main gate of the Imyeonggwan Guesthouse. The guesthouse’s main gate is designated a National Treasure of Korea; the designation applies specifically to this gate.

Uiunru Pavilion offers views of Gangneung’s historic city center. In the alleys of Myeongju-dong, sculptures and murals give a walk the character of an open-air exhibition. Gangneunghyanggyo Local Confucian School offers another historic highlight: it is considered Korea’s oldest historic educational institution and consists of traditional hanok buildings. These include Daeseongjeon Shrine, Myeongryundang Lecture Hall, and the eastern and western residential buildings. The Seokjeon ceremony in honor of Confucius and Confucian scholars takes place there in spring and autumn.

Gangneung Danoje: Ceremonies and Activities

The Gangneung Danoje Festival is held annually in Gangneung and the surrounding area; its dates follow the lunar calendar. It begins on the fifth day of the fourth lunar month with the brewing of sacred rice wine. The Sinjubitgi ceremony is held on the same date each year at the Chilsadang Government Office, where the rice wine for the Gangneung Danoje Festival is brewed. Visitors can take part in activities including making festival fans, designing masks for the Gwanno Mask Dance, preparing rice cakes from surichiwi and washing their hair in iris water.

Markets and Local Food

The markets also differ in their scope: Gangneung Jungang Market is a traditional market in central Gangneung with a history spanning a hundred years. It extends beyond the market building to nearby shops and vendors’ stalls in the surrounding alleys and streets. Fried and braised chicken dishes are among its main foods; their prominence in the selection may change over time. Nanjang Market is part of the Gangneung Danoje Festival. Local produce and handicrafts are sold there, and the selection may vary from one festival year to the next.

Getting Your Bearings at the Station

Gangneung Station is the terminus of the Gangneung railway line; Wolhwa Street also begins there. This makes it a useful, specific landmark for planning your trip. For specific train connections, check the current timetable.

Discover more destinations: Jeongseon-gun, Taebaek-si, Chuncheon, Sokcho, Hongcheon, Hoengseong-gun, Inje-Gun, Donghae

For the regional travel overview: Gangwon-Do.