Gangneung

Mongolian citizens need a visa for South Korea. Apply for a C-3-9 tourist visa at the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Ulaanbaatar: a single-entry visa valid for 3 months, stay up to 90 days. The visa fee is waived for ordinary passport holders; you pay only the centre's 57,000₮ service fee. Proof of funds such as bank statements is required. Holders of a US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand or Schengen visa flying to that country via Incheon can enter visa-free for up to 30 days — this does not apply to an Ulaanbaatar–Incheon–Ulaanbaatar trip.

Tip: Get the visa first, then buy the ticket, and nothing is at risk. K-ETA is for visa-exempt nationalities — Mongolian citizens don't need it.

From 2026 Korea no longer uses paper arrival cards: within 3 days before your flight, enter your passport, flight and hotel at e-arrivalcard.go.kr. It is free — beware of look-alike sites that charge a fee.

Hospitals in Korea are expensive, so travel insurance is a must. Hotels around Gyeongpo Beach and Lake suit families best (beach, Arte Museum and the tofu village within walking distance); if you come by train, stay near Gangneung Station. Rooms fill up early at the summer peak, Chuseok and ski season.

Tip: If you are skiing in winter, stay at the Yongpyong or Alpensia resort itself and come to Gangneung for a day.

From Incheon Airport take AREX to Seoul Station, ~1 h, then the KTX-Eum to Gangneung Station, ~2 h, ₩27,600. About 14 trains a day run between 05:00 and 22:00. The transfer is inside one station — allow 3–3.5 h in total.

Tip: KTX seats sell out at weekends and in peak summer — book ahead in the Korail Talk app.

A direct limousine bus runs from Incheon Terminals 1 and 2 to Gangneung Intercity Bus Terminal about every 2 hours, ~3.5–4 h depending on traffic, about ₩32,000–43,000. No transfers, so it is easier with big suitcases.

If you land on an evening flight you may miss the last train or bus — spend a night in Seoul or near the airport and take the KTX next morning. Save your hotel's address in Korean script on your phone.

If your phone supports eSIM, install an Airalo or KT/SKT tourist eSIM before the flight — it works the moment you land. There are hardly any tourist SIM counters in Gangneung itself.

Tip: Install Naver Map in Ulaanbaatar and switch it to English before you go.

Incheon's arrivals hall has many KT, SKT and LG U+ counters: show your passport and get a tourist SIM or eSIM. Some packages come with a T-money card.

City buses cost about ₩1,530 with a T-money card or ₩1,700 in cash. From Gangneung Station buses such as 202 and 300 reach Gyeongpo and Anmok in 20–35 minutes. Buy and top up the card at convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven).

The red SEA TEA tourist bus loops the coast via Anmok, Gyeongpo and Jumunjin roughly every 40–50 minutes. For Jeongdongjin take a regular train or bus from Gangneung Station.

Taxis from the station to Gyeongpo or Anmok are short and cheap; hail them with Kakao T. In winter, reach Yongpyong or Alpensia by KTX to Jinbu or Pyeongchang station, then the resort's free shuttle or a taxi.

Visa and Mastercard work in most shops, restaurants and taxis. Jumunjin fish market and small restaurants may want cash — withdraw it from ATMs marked 'Global ATM'. Exchange offices are rare in Gangneung, so change your dollars at Incheon Airport.

Spend over ₩15,000 in one purchase at a 'Tax Free' shop and you can reclaim VAT. For purchases up to ₩1,000,000 the shop deducts it on the spot when you show your passport (up to ₩5,000,000 per trip); the rest is refunded at the airport.

Chodang sundubu — soft tofu curdled with seawater (in the village by Gyeongpo Lake); fresh crab and fish from Jumunjin market; mulhoe — raw fish in a cold broth; hand-drip coffee on Anmok beach; tofu ice cream.

Tip: No tipping in restaurants; side dishes (banchan) are free and refilled on request.

Mild white sundubu, fried chicken and gimbap suit children. Gimbap, ramyeon and ready meals at the GS25 and CU stores around Gangneung Station and Gyeongpo are cheap and reliable.

Police 112, ambulance and fire 119 — free, 24 hours. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline answers in English 24 hours a day and can connect you to the police or ambulance with three-way interpreting.

Lifeguards work only in the official swimming season — at other times, and especially when the waves are high, keep children out of the water. When a typhoon arrives in late summer or early autumn, follow the official alerts that come to your phone.

Gangneung Asan Hospital is the largest hospital, with the regional emergency centre. For minor ailments a pharmacy (약국) is enough. Call your insurer's assistance line first.

At Woljeongsa, Ojukheon and Seongyojang walk quietly and don't photograph in front of people praying. Take your shoes off before entering halls and rooms.

Don't leave rubbish on the sand; fires and fireworks may be banned outside designated areas. Queue at photo spots such as the BTS bus stop.

Wait for the eldest to pick up their spoon before eating; never stand chopsticks upright in rice. Pour drinks for elders with both hands.

Google Maps gives almost no walking or driving directions in Korea — use Naver Map or KakaoMap. They show Gangneung's city bus routes with real-time timetables.

Kakao T — hail a taxi and see the fare estimate. Papago — reads menus and signs with the camera; handy for asking prices at the fish market.

Korail Talk and Let's Korail — KTX tickets in English. e-Arrival Card — the online border card.

The Gangneung–Seoul KTX takes ~2 h and AREX from Seoul Station to Incheon ~1 h — with the transfer, leave Gangneung at least 6 hours before your flight. Plan to be at the airport 2–3 hours before an international flight.

VAT not deducted in the shop is refunded at Incheon's TAX REFUND kiosks — carry the receipts and the goods together. The T-money balance can be refunded in cash at a convenience store.