Seoraksan Cable Car & Sinheungsa Temple Review 2026: Sokcho's Peaks & Culture

Sokcho Trip Day 2. Part 1

​

Seoraksan Cable Car - Gwongeumseong Fortress - Sinheungsa Temple

Hello everyone! This is Durimap.

Today, we visited Seoraksan Mountain, one of the highlights of our Sokcho trip.

(Of course, we didn't go hiking! 😀)

I hadn't ridden the Seoraksan Cable Car since I was a child,

and after almost 20 years, riding it again felt incredibly refreshing!!

Seoraksan Cable Car Basic Information

* Adults: Middle school students and above (including those expected to enter middle school in the current year) / Children: 36 months ~ Elementary school students / Infants: Under 36 months

​

☞ Operating hours may vary depending on weather conditions on the day, so please be sure to visit the official website before your visit!

​

🚠

On the morning of Labor Day, the second day of our trip, we drove along the Seoraksan road, where the greenery had deepened overnight from the rain,

on our way to ride the cable car.

Visiting Seoraksan Small Park after 20 years...

The parking attendants processed payments by cash and card one car at a time, so even though there weren't too many cars,

it still took about 10 to 15 minutes to enter the parking lot.

(We arrived around 7:40 AM.)

Thanks to our early start, we were fortunately able to park right in front of the Sinheungsa Temple Relics Exhibition Hall.

It seems this spot is closer than the parking lot near the Small Park entrance!

(If it's not full, they'll open the barricade for you and explain everything.)

As someone who loves to sleep in, thanks to my husband who prefers early morning visits or arriving right at opening time,

I'm experiencing a whole new world! haha

If you just push through the sleepiness and get an early start, you can avoid long queues and massive crowds,

and enjoy your trip much more comfortably!

(Am I the only one who just realized this?! hahahahaha)

Anyway, let's really head to the cable car now!

From this parking lot, if you go left, it's the cable car boarding station, and if you go right, it's Sinheungsa Temple.

Finally, we arrived at the ticket office~~! We queued up around 8 AM and got tickets for the 8:35 AM ride.

You need to head up to the 2nd floor boarding area 5 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Whoa~~ our cable car is coming down, and I'm feeling a bit excited! haha

Here are some photos taken once we finally boarded the cable car.

It seems the back of the cable car (the side looking downwards), where you can see Sinheungsa Temple, Sokcho city, and Ulsanbawi Rock head-on, offers the best views.

Just looking at the photos is so healing! I want to go again~! ㅠㅠ

Why did we take the cable car?

Ah! We came to see 'Gwongeumseong Fortress'!

When you get off the cable car, there's the Gwongeumseong boarding station (rest area) right there, and while the view is pretty,

you shouldn't spend all your time taking photos here.

That's because the real destination, Gwongeumseong Fortress, only appears after about a 10-minute walk up stone stairs and deck stairs from where you disembark.

We bought a coffee at the rest area and were taking photos everywhere, but,

Then, a whole new wave of explorers arrived on the next cable car, and yes, plenty of international tour groups among them!

So, here's a pro-tip: I highly recommend making your way up to Gwongeumseong right away to soak in those breathtaking views before the crowds really swell! 😉

Gwongeumseong,

Where the Breathtaking Scenery of Outer Seorak Unfolds

🧐 The Fascinating Origin of Gwongeumseong (權金城)

While its precise origins remain a bit of a mystery, legend has it that two heroic generals, Gwon and Kim, built this fortress during the Silla Dynasty to seek refuge from conflict – giving Gwongeumseong its name.

Interestingly, records from Naksansa Temple suggest that local villagers also sought sanctuary here during the late Goryeo Dynasty when Mongol forces invaded. This tells us that Gwongeumseong has stood as a historical stronghold since at least the late Goryeo period, witnessing centuries of stories!

Today, only whispers of its ancient walls and foundations remain, but don't let that deter you! From atop this sheer, rocky peak, the panoramic views overlooking Sokcho city and the majestic mountain ridges are absolutely spectacular – living up to its grand name in every way! ✨

Alright, now that we've feasted our eyes on these spectacular vistas and soaked up all that invigorating mountain energy,

how about we journey down to explore the serene Sinheungsa Temple?

🙏 A Serene Stroll through Sinheungsa Temple, and the Joyous Anticipation of Buddha's Birthday

Our next stop after descending from the majestic mountain was the venerable Sinheungsa Temple.

This isn't just any temple; it's a deeply historic site, founded by the revered monk Jajang during the reign of Queen Jindeok of the Silla Dynasty.

Originally, it stood where the Kensington Hotel is today, but after several devastating fires,

it was grandly rebuilt on its present serene location during the Joseon Dynasty, under King Injo.

Right from the entrance, a magnificent colossal bronze Buddha statue welcomed us with its overwhelming, peaceful presence – truly awe-inspiring!

The main temple halls and other spiritual buildings are nestled a little deeper within the complex, past the great Buddha and across a charming bridge (don't worry, it's not a long walk at all!).

We arrived just before Buddha's Birthday (known as Chopail), and the temple courtyard was absolutely adorned with a vibrant tapestry of colorful lotus lanterns! Watching them gently sway beneath the clear blue sky filled my heart with a profound sense of peace and reverence. It was truly magical.

And scattered throughout the grounds, the meticulously stacked stone pagodas were truly captivating – each a silent testament to countless prayers and wishes.

Even with just a morning's adventure, Seoraksan truly delivered an unforgettable dose of healing and tranquility.

My biggest tip for you, especially during peak season, is to absolutely go for an 'open run' – get there right when it opens! Believe me, you'll want to savor this peacefulness.

When we were leaving, the queue of cars was unbelievable... it stretched all the way back to Parking Lot B!

Getting an early start and moving diligently definitely paid off! It truly felt like we packed a whole adventure into just one morning.

Now, with our stomachs rumbling a hungry tune, it's time to head straight for 'Grandma Kim Jeong-ok's Sundubu' to refuel!

You can find our review of 'Grandma Kim Jeong-ok's Sundubu' in the link just below – prepare for some deliciousness! 👇

[Gangwon, Sokcho] A Culinary Gem: Grandma Kim Jeong-ok's Sundubu Main Branch Review in Haksapyeong Sundubu Villageblog.naver.com

#Seoraksan #SeoraksanCableCar #GwongeumseongFortress #SinheungsaTemple #SokchoTravel #SokchoAttractions #SeoraksanCableCarEarlyBird #GangwonProvinceTravel #KoreaTravelGuide #SeoraksanParking #SeoraksanCableCarFares #BuddhasBirthday #LotusLanternFestival #SokchoDateIdeas #SokchoItinerary #SokchoWeekendGetaway