Mukho Coastal Getaway 1N2D — Port, Murals, Skyvalley & Candlestick Rock
Step into the unhurried charm of Mukho, a small East Sea port town in Gangwon. Harbour, mural alleys, a sky-high walkway, and sea-stack rocks — all in one overnight trip.
Day 1 — Mukho Port & Nongol Damgil
From Incheon Airport, take AREX to Cheongnyangni Station and board the KTX toward Gangneung, alighting at Donghae Station. A 10-minute taxi ride brings you to Mukho. Alternatively, direct express buses from Dong Seoul Terminal run to Mukho several times a day (approx. 3 hours, ₩18,000–22,000).
Mukho Port is the leading fishing harbour of the eastern Gangwon coast, famous for squid and dried seaweed. Head straight to the raw-fish centre beside the port for a plate of freshly sliced sashimi — your first proper hello to Mukho. In spring, sun-dried flatfish and herring fill the quayside; in summer the squid-drying racks stretch as far as the eye can see.
Nongol Damgil is a hillside mural alley climbing the slope behind the port. Over 100 paintings depicting the lives of fishermen and tales of the sea line the stairways, and a viewpoint at the top rewards you with a panoramic sweep of the East Sea. It is most beautiful at golden hour, just before sunset.
Day 1 Afternoon — Dojjebigol Skyvalley
Dojjebigol Skyvalley is a glass-floor sky walk perched on the hill above Mukho, offering vertigo-inducing views directly down to the East Sea. A zip-line and suspension bridge add extra thrills. Admission is just ₩3,000 for adults — outstanding value for the view. Arriving at sunset guarantees golden-light silhouettes over the sea.
Nearby Mukho Lighthouse is a short walk away and worth combining with the sky walk. The lighthouse observation deck gives a full 360° view of the harbour and the open sea horizon.
Day 2 — Chuam Candlestick Rock & East Sea Coastline
Chuam Candlestick Rock (추암 촛대바위) in nearby Donghae City — just 15 minutes by car from Mukho — is one of Gangwon's most celebrated landmarks. Slender sea stacks rise dramatically from the cliffs, and at sunrise the golden light transforms them into a scene of pure magic. Staying overnight in Mukho specifically to catch this sunrise is the main reason to make it a 1-night itinerary.
Chuam Beach beside the rocks is clean and relatively quiet off-season, ideal for a calm morning walk. Stroll the coastal path, admire the rock formations, then fuel up with a bowl of spicy seafood ramyeon at a café near the beach before heading home.
Return to Incheon Airport via KTX from Donghae Station (change at Cheongnyangni for AREX) or take a direct express bus back to Dong Seoul Terminal.
Getting to Mukho from Incheon Airport
The most common route: AREX or airport bus to Cheongnyangni Station → KTX toward Gangneung → alight at Donghae Station → 10-minute taxi to Mukho. Total travel time is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
Direct express buses from Dong Seoul Terminal (동서울터미널) to Mukho depart multiple times daily. Fare is around ₩18,000–22,000 and the journey takes about 3 hours. From Mukho Bus Terminal it is less than a 10-minute walk to Nongol Damgil.