Gwangjin Beach: 11,400 Visitors in 2024, 168% of 2019

Gwangjin Beach is in Gwangjin-ri, Hyeonnam-myeon, Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, between Ingu Beach and Gaetmaeul Beach. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the water is so clear that you can see the seabed. Snorkelling is a common sight here. The water is shallow, which makes it a reasonable choice for children.

Sea urchins are said to live among the rocks along the shore, and visitors can also gather shellfish from the sea. Heuhuam Hermitage, one of Yangyang's tourist sights, is a 10-minute walk away. Below you will find visitor numbers, parking, water quality, emergency contacts and places to stay, all taken from public data.

Visitor numbers: 2024 was the busiest year from 2015 to 2024

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries figures show 8,601 visitors in 2015, 10,420 in 2016, 6,162 in 2017 and 4,345 in 2018. The count was 6,793 in 2019, 3,536 in 2020, 3,924 in 2021, 7,473 in 2022 and 5,217 in 2023. In 2024 it reached 11,400, which is 168% of the 2019 level and the highest of the ten years in the data. Even so, this is a quiet beach with modest visitor numbers.

Parking: five car parks nearby, all free

Korea's national parking registry lists five car parks within 3 km of the beach. All five are recorded as free and open from 00:00 to 23:59. The closest is 440 m away.

This is registry data and may differ from what you find on site. Follow the signs there.

Water and safety: 12 out of 12 tests passed

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries tested the seawater 12 times in 2025, and all 12 results were rated suitable. Only one toilet is registered near the beach, so plan ahead if you intend to stay for long.

If you need a doctor

The nearest emergency rooms are Gangneung Asan Hospital (regional emergency medical centre, 18.2 km) and Gangneung Dongin Hospital (local emergency medical centre, 24.6 km). Three pharmacies, Jayeon, Haetsal and Segyero, are each 9.6 km away, and all three are registered as closed on Sundays. In an emergency call 119, or 122 for the Korea Coast Guard if something happens at sea. The nearest coast guard station is Jumunjin, 9.7 km away.

Where to stay

There are 53 licensed lodgings within 3 km of the beach. Residence-style stays are the most common at 36, followed by 8 other lodgings, 6 motels and inns, 2 hotels and 1 condo or resort. Pensions and farm stays are registered under a different system and are not counted here.

For camping, Dongsanpo Campsite (general tent site) is 1.5 km away. Bukbunsolbat Campsite (auto camping) is 2.7 km away, Jigyeong National Leisure Campsite (auto camping) is 5.7 km away, and Hajo Stay (general tent site) is 7.4 km away.