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Sokcho is usually associated with Seoraksan, seafood and the East Sea, but one of the city's most meaningful places is hidden between the harbor and Cheongchoho Lake.
Abai Village is not simply another colorful tourist neighborhood. It was formed by refugees who came south during the Korean War and settled here while hoping they would one day return to their hometowns in the North.
Today, visitors can cross the narrow waterway on the unusual Gaetbae ferry, walk through the village alleys, learn about the history of displaced families and try foods that still reflect the culinary traditions of Hamgyeong-do.
It is one of the best places in Sokcho for travelers who want to understand a part of modern Korean history while still enjoying an easy, relaxed walking route.
QUICK ANSWER
π Location: Cheongho-dong, Sokcho, Gangwon-do
π️ Village admission: Free
⛴️ Gaetbae ferry: KRW 500 adult / KRW 300 elementary school child, one way
⏱️ Ferry crossing: About 5 minutes
π Recommended visit: 2–3 hours including food
πΆ Walking difficulty: Easy
π½️ Try: Abai sundae, ojingeo sundae, Hamheung-style naengmyeon
π Village: Open year-round
π Best time: Late afternoon into sunset for walking and views
π Location: Cheongho-dong, Sokcho, Gangwon-do
π️ Village admission: Free
⛴️ Gaetbae ferry: KRW 500 adult / KRW 300 elementary school child, one way
⏱️ Ferry crossing: About 5 minutes
π Recommended visit: 2–3 hours including food
πΆ Walking difficulty: Easy
π½️ Try: Abai sundae, ojingeo sundae, Hamheung-style naengmyeon
π Village: Open year-round
π Best time: Late afternoon into sunset for walking and views
π Where Is Abai Village?
Abai Village is located in Cheongho-dong in central Sokcho, between the East Sea and Cheongchoho Lake.
Although it feels like a small neighborhood separated from downtown, it is actually very close to Sokcho's central tourist area.
The famous Gaetbae ferry connects the village side with the downtown side near Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, making it easy to combine both places in one walking itinerary.
ABAI VILLAGE ADDRESS
122-1 Cheongho-ro,
Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do,
South Korea
122-1 Cheongho-ro,
Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do,
South Korea
ABAI VILLAGE AT A GLANCE
✔ Historic refugee community in Sokcho
✔ Famous motorless Gaetbae ferry
✔ Easy village walking route
✔ Local North Korean-style food culture
✔ Murals and small neighborhood streets
✔ Near Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market
✔ Good choice for travelers without a car
✔ Suitable for a relaxed half-day in central Sokcho
✔ Historic refugee community in Sokcho
✔ Famous motorless Gaetbae ferry
✔ Easy village walking route
✔ Local North Korean-style food culture
✔ Murals and small neighborhood streets
✔ Near Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market
✔ Good choice for travelers without a car
✔ Suitable for a relaxed half-day in central Sokcho
π§ 1. Why Is Abai Village Important?
To understand Abai Village, it helps to know how it began.
During the Korean War, many people from what is now North Korea moved south as refugees. A large number of people from Hamgyeong-do Province eventually settled in this area of Sokcho.
Many believed their stay would be temporary. They expected that once the war ended, they would be able to return home.
That return never happened for many families.
They built simple homes on the sandy ground, worked in fishing and manual labor and gradually created a permanent community.
The name "Abai" comes from a Hamgyeong-do dialect word commonly used for an older man, similar in feeling to "grandfather" or "elder."
This history makes the village very different from a purpose-built tourist attraction. Behind the restaurants and murals is a story of displacement, separation and rebuilding life in a new place.
WHY THIS MATTERS
If you only come for the ferry and food, the visit may feel like a short tourist stop. Understanding the village's refugee history completely changes how the streets, food and name of Abai Village feel.
If you only come for the ferry and food, the visit may feel like a short tourist stop. Understanding the village's refugee history completely changes how the streets, food and name of Abai Village feel.
⛴️ 2. What Is the Gaetbae Ferry?
The Gaetbae is probably the most unusual part of an Abai Village visit.
It is a small barge-style ferry without a conventional engine. Instead of a motor pushing the boat across the water, the ferry moves by pulling along a fixed cable.
Passengers can watch — and sometimes participate — as a long metal hook is used to pull the ferry along the cable toward the opposite dock.
The crossing is short, taking only around five minutes, but the experience has become one of Sokcho's best-known local attractions.
The route also has an important practical history. Before modern bridges made travel easier, the ferry provided a direct connection between the Abai Village community and central Sokcho.
2026 Gaetbae Ferry Hours
5 MAY – 31 OCTOBER
05:00–23:00
NOVEMBER – APRIL
05:30–22:30
05:00–23:00
NOVEMBER – APRIL
05:30–22:30
These are the currently published operating hours, but the ferry can be affected by weather and local operating conditions.
2026 Ferry Fare
π€ Adult: KRW 500 one way
π§ Elementary school child: KRW 300 one way
π² Bicycle: KRW 500
π Handcart: KRW 500
π§ Elementary school child: KRW 300 one way
π² Bicycle: KRW 500
π Handcart: KRW 500
The price is tiny compared with most tourist attractions, which is one reason there is little reason to skip the experience if the ferry is running.
IMPORTANT
Operating times can change because of weather. Also, pets are not allowed on the Gaetbae ferry according to the current Sokcho tourism notice.
Operating times can change because of weather. Also, pets are not allowed on the Gaetbae ferry according to the current Sokcho tourism notice.
πΆ 3. How Much Walking Is Involved?
Abai Village is a good destination for travelers who want something easier than a mountain trail.
The main village area is relatively compact, and you can see the ferry, small streets, murals and food area without covering a huge distance.
If you simply cross the ferry, look around the village and eat, the physical difficulty is low.
However, the experience becomes much better if you continue walking toward the bridges and waterfront instead of immediately turning back.
Sokcho also promotes an Abai Village walking route as part of its local walking network. The longer official course is approximately 4.8 km and is rated easy, taking about one hour of actual walking.
You do not need to complete the full route to enjoy the area.
FOR MOST FIRST-TIME VISITORS
Plan around 2–3 hours for the ferry, village walk, photos and one meal. This gives you enough time to experience the place without rushing.
Plan around 2–3 hours for the ferry, village walk, photos and one meal. This gives you enough time to experience the place without rushing.
π½️ 4. What Should You Eat in Abai Village?
Food is not separate from the history of this neighborhood.
Many dishes associated with Abai Village reflect cooking traditions carried south by displaced families from Hamgyeong-do.
Abai Sundae
This is not the small street-food sundae many travelers first encounter in Korea.
Abai sundae is a North Korean-style sausage traditionally made by filling pork intestine with ingredients such as rice and other seasonings before steaming it.
The texture and flavor can feel more substantial than ordinary Korean street-market sundae.
Ojingeo Sundae
Ojingeo sundae uses squid as the outer casing and fills it with a seasoned mixture before cooking.
It is one of Sokcho's signature foods and a very approachable choice for travelers who are unsure about blood sausage.
Hamheung-Style Naengmyeon
Cold noodles influenced by Hamheung culinary traditions are another important part of the area's food culture.
Some restaurants serve them with seasoned pollack, adding a stronger coastal Sokcho character.
Gajami Sikhae
This fermented flatfish dish has a distinctive flavor and is more adventurous for first-time visitors, but it helps show how food traditions were preserved after families resettled in Sokcho.
LOCAL FOOD TIP
If two people are traveling together, ordering a mixed sundae plate plus one noodle dish is often a better way to experience several local foods than ordering two large portions of the same thing.
If two people are traveling together, ordering a mixed sundae plate plus one noodle dish is often a better way to experience several local foods than ordering two large portions of the same thing.
π¨ 5. What Else Is There to See?
Do not expect a huge list of conventional attractions.
The appeal is found in the details of the neighborhood.
Village Alleys
Walk through the smaller streets instead of staying only on the restaurant strip.
You can still get a sense of how tightly the community developed on a limited amount of land.
Murals
Several walls contain paintings connected to memories of hometowns, separation and everyday life.
Some newer murals are more playful and tourist-oriented, so the village today contains a mixture of historical memory and modern tourism.
Seorak and Geumgang Bridges
The bridges above and beside the village provide a completely different view.
From higher points, you can see Cheongchoho Lake, the village, the sea and parts of Sokcho in the same panorama.
This is especially attractive near sunset when the light becomes softer and the city begins to illuminate.
π 6. What Is the Best Time of Day to Visit?
Abai Village can be visited at almost any time during the day, but the experience changes considerably depending on when you arrive.
Morning
Morning is quieter and better if your priority is walking and photography without many people.
However, some restaurants and shops may not yet be fully active if you arrive very early.
Lunch
This is the best time if local food is your main reason for visiting.
It can also be the busiest period around popular restaurants.
Late Afternoon
For a balanced first visit, late afternoon is my preferred time.
You can walk through the village while there is still daylight, eat an early dinner and then move toward the bridge or waterfront as the light changes.
Evening
The ferry operates late during much of the year, so evening can be atmospheric.
Just remember that individual restaurants and small businesses follow their own closing schedules even if the village itself remains accessible.
GOOD FIRST-VISIT TIMING
Arrive around 3:30–4:30 PM → explore the village → eat → walk toward the bridge or waterfront before sunset.
Arrive around 3:30–4:30 PM → explore the village → eat → walk toward the bridge or waterfront before sunset.
π 7. How Do You Get There?
By Car
Driving is straightforward, and parking is available in the area.
If Abai Village is only one stop in a larger Gangwon-do road trip, arriving by car is convenient.
However, once you arrive, leave the car parked and explore the central area on foot. Driving between the village and nearby downtown attractions removes much of the fun.
Without a Car
Abai Village is one of the easier Gangwon-do attractions to visit without renting a vehicle because it sits inside central Sokcho rather than deep in the mountains.
From Sokcho's bus terminals, travelers can use a local bus or taxi to reach the central market or Abai Village area.
For many visitors, the most enjoyable approach is to arrive near Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market and use the Gaetbae ferry to cross into the village.
From Seoul
The simplest public-transport strategy is to travel from Seoul to Sokcho first by intercity or express bus, then treat Abai Village as part of a central Sokcho walking day.
There is no need to organize a special long-distance transfer only for the village.
TRANSPORT WARNING
Do not rely on an old blog post for exact local bus numbers. Sokcho bus routes and schedules can change. Check Naver Map, KakaoMap or current local transit information on the day of travel.
Do not rely on an old blog post for exact local bus numbers. Sokcho bus routes and schedules can change. Check Naver Map, KakaoMap or current local transit information on the day of travel.
π¨π©π§ 8. Is Abai Village Good for Families and Older Travelers?
Generally, yes.
Compared with many Gangwon-do mountain attractions, the main village visit involves relatively easy walking and does not require hiking equipment.
Families with children may especially enjoy the unusual Gaetbae ferry because the crossing feels more like an experience than ordinary transportation.
Older travelers can also explore the main village area at a slow pace.
There are food businesses, restrooms and places to stop nearby, so you do not have to remain on your feet continuously for several hours.
If someone in your group has difficulty with slopes or stairs, stay mainly around the village and ferry area rather than extending the walk onto every bridge or longer walking course.
ACCESSIBILITY
Sokcho's accessible-tourism information lists parking, accessible parking, an accessible restroom and generally easy walking access in the Abai Village area. Individual older buildings and small restaurants may still vary.
Sokcho's accessible-tourism information lists parking, accessible parking, an accessible restroom and generally easy walking access in the Abai Village area. Individual older buildings and small restaurants may still vary.
π§️ 9. Is It Worth Visiting in Bad Weather?
Light rain does not automatically ruin an Abai Village visit because much of the attraction is the neighborhood itself and there are restaurants where you can spend time indoors.
However, the ferry is more weather-sensitive than the village.
Strong wind, heavy rain or other poor conditions can affect ferry operations.
If the Gaetbae is temporarily unavailable, you can still reach the village using the road and bridge connections.
That said, for a first visit I would choose a reasonably clear day because the views from the bridges and waterfront add a lot to the experience.
π» 10. Practical Facilities
This is not an isolated rural attraction, so basic facilities are easier to find than at many mountain destinations in Gangwon-do.
WHAT YOU CAN FIND NEARBY
π» Restrooms
π Ώ️ Parking
☕ Cafes
π½️ Local restaurants
πͺ Convenience stores
πΈ Photo spots
βΉ️ Tourist information facilities in the wider central Sokcho area
π» Restrooms
π Ώ️ Parking
☕ Cafes
π½️ Local restaurants
πͺ Convenience stores
πΈ Photo spots
βΉ️ Tourist information facilities in the wider central Sokcho area
You do not need to carry a full day of supplies with you.
A small bag, comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are enough for most visits.
πΊ️ 11. My Recommended 2–3 Hour Route
For a first-time visitor, there is no need to overcomplicate the route.
SIMPLE ABAI VILLAGE ROUTE
1️⃣ Start near Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market
2️⃣ Walk to the Gaetbae ferry dock
3️⃣ Take the Gaetbae across the waterway
4️⃣ Explore Abai Village's smaller alleys and murals
5️⃣ Eat Abai sundae, ojingeo sundae or naengmyeon
6️⃣ Walk toward Seorak / Geumgang Bridge for a higher view
7️⃣ Enjoy the waterfront around sunset
8️⃣ Return toward central Sokcho
1️⃣ Start near Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market
2️⃣ Walk to the Gaetbae ferry dock
3️⃣ Take the Gaetbae across the waterway
4️⃣ Explore Abai Village's smaller alleys and murals
5️⃣ Eat Abai sundae, ojingeo sundae or naengmyeon
6️⃣ Walk toward Seorak / Geumgang Bridge for a higher view
7️⃣ Enjoy the waterfront around sunset
8️⃣ Return toward central Sokcho
This route combines transportation, history, food and scenery without spending the entire day in one neighborhood.
❓ BEST 3 QUESTIONS
1. Is Abai Village worth visiting if I only have one day in Sokcho?
Yes, particularly because it is located close to central Sokcho and does not require a long mountain transfer. You can combine the village, ferry and market in only a few hours and still have time for another attraction.
2. Do I have to take the Gaetbae ferry to enter Abai Village?
No. Roads and bridges also connect the area. The ferry is simply the most memorable way for a tourist to approach the village and is part of the historical identity of the neighborhood.
3. Is Abai Village mainly a food destination?
Food is a major reason people visit, but stopping only at a restaurant misses the point. The refugee history, ferry and waterfront walking route are what make the area different from an ordinary restaurant district.
π‘ A Local's Final Advice
If this is your first trip to Sokcho, do not treat Abai Village as a place where you simply take one photograph, eat sundae and leave.
Take the ferry slowly. Walk at least a few of the smaller streets. Look at how the village sits between the water, bridges and modern city around it.
Most importantly, remember why the community began here.
The story of Abai Village is a reminder that many ordinary neighborhoods in Korea contain layers of history that are easy to miss if you only visit famous palaces and mountain viewpoints.
For me, the best version of this trip is simple: arrive in the late afternoon, cross on the Gaetbae, explore the village, eat a local dish and finish with a walk toward the bridge as Sokcho moves into evening.
It is inexpensive, easy to reach and gives you a side of Gangwon-do that feels completely different from its famous mountains and beaches.
π Official Information
Place: Abai Village (μλ°μ΄λ§μ)
Address: 122-1 Cheongho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Village: Open year-round
Gaetbae Ferry: Open year-round, weather permitting
Ferry inquiry: +82-33-639-2449
Tourism information: Sokcho Tourism / VISITKOREA
Ferry schedules, payment methods and local business hours can change. Check current information before visiting.
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