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Start
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Sogongwon
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Seorak Mountain
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Sinhungsa
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Heundeulbawi
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Ulsanbawi
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Sunrise Park
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Naksansa-1
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Naksansa-2
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Naksansa-3
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Baked Fish
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Jungang Market
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Tourist Hotel
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Gaetbae(ferry) Quay
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Abai Village
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Sindasin Restaurant
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Lighthouse Observatory
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ports
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Beach
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Cheongchoho Lake
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Finish
Gaetbae Quay
There's a special transportation called 「Gaetbae(ferry)」 in Sokcho that you can't see anywhere else.
This used to be the only transportation that connects Sokcho downtown and Abai Village in Cheongho-dong, which was merely an island that has become one of famous tourist attraction since the bridge connecting it with the mainland was built.
The symbol of Cheongho-dong, so-called Five-gu Ferry, was used to transfer people's pain to Abai Village where most of them were displaced people.
It is visible now but it's still not easy to turn around newly-built Geumgang Bridge so it was the perfect transportation to take a look around Abai Village. Plus, the ferry fee is very cheap, 200 won.
It was what we could afford but thanks to Eastern Hotel, they offered as many tickets as guests want so we could get on the ferry for free.
But the problem was not the fee, it was waiting line. This is one of the most famous thing that represent Sokcho as well as a transportation to Abai Village so when we got there there was already a long line waiting to get on the ferry.
There are two ferries and each one transfers 35 people so the line got shorter quite fast and it didn't take much time until we got on it.
When it was our turn, we got on rocking ferry and saw a sign on it. This is another thing that you can see only here. That means it needs passengers' assistance.
Under the sign, there was a strange-looking iron hook. Given that it had a knob, it must be a very important tool.
I knew it! This Gaetbae is a dumb craft that is entirely moved by people' spower. And these were hung up at the ends of square ferry.
This wire connects two quays that are 50m away. This rope is driving force of this ferry.
When all of the people get on ferry, the captain(?) pulls this rope to move the ferry. And the hook that I showed you before was the tool that pulls the rope.
You gotta understand it's hard to lead the boat with 35 passengers on it. So it's much easier if the passengers help move the ferry. It would be a good memory for tourists as well.
However, you're going to have to listen to the captain's instructions directly. Because there are other fishing boats trespassing the rope of this ferry since this area is the mouth for ships at the port. Plus, when the fishing boat passes by the ferry with so loud noise, the ferry rocks by the waves.
Less than 5 minutes on the ferry, it arrived at the quay on the opposite side. There's a ticket office for Abai Village so you could get out of the ferry as soon as you pay for the ferry.
At the ticket office, there's a long line of people waiting to get on the ferry already. So I wished the line would get shorter by the time we get back.
There were statues of main characters built to commemorate the drama titled Autumn Tales filmed here at quay where you can see the ferry in water. To see that man's big face (Song Seung-heon) I felt a little relieved to think there's no big difference between him and me although he would've got mad to see his face.
There stood a phone booth that I cannot find easy these days but I didn't want to get inside cause it looked dusty.
This quay is under the pier of Geumgang Bridge for cars so it's good to avoid direct sunlight in summer. And there are benches to wait for the ferry or get rest.
You'll see interesting and fun mural paintings to make memorable photos.
Even on the pillars under the pier, you'll see the mural paintings of Sokcho's special food, squid, and lion mask that has been used in the Story of Bookcheong Lion Dance Drama on the day of the first full moon of the lunar year.
The reason of this symbol of Hamgyeongnam-do's folk performance are drawn on the walls in Sokcho, Gangwon-do, relates to the modern history of this region. You would've missed it if you didn't know. In case you want to hear the hidden stories, a cultural tourism interpreter is waiting for tourists at specific time of the day who tells the stories and histories so you should be on time.
Address : 482-250, Jungang-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Available Time : 04:30 ~ 23:00
Passage Fare : 200 won
