Listening to the Stories of the Forgotten Mukhohang Port

Mukhohang Port was once a bustling, prosperous harbor. Although it declined starting in the 1980s, it has recently transformed back into a romantic destination welcoming travelers once more. Gazing out from the maritime cultural space where Mukho Lighthouse stands atop Nongoldam-gil or admiring the lighthouse village murals, the sweeping ridges of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range and the refreshing blue open sea will naturally open your heart.

Along the way

1. 1

   Cheongok Natural Cave

   천곡천연동굴

   Cheongok Natural Cave in Donghae is a horizontal limestone cave with a total length of 1,400 meters, estimated to have formed 400 to 500 million years ago. It is the only cave in Korea located right in a downtown center. Featuring Korea's longest ceiling dissolution troughs, curtain stalactites, travertine terraces, stalactite waterfalls, and rare rocks harmoniously coming together, it preserves ancient mysteries alongside high academic value. The interior contains around 20 types of secondary formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and pillars, offering optimal conditions as a natural learning site for earth science. Additionally, an exhibition hall and a visual media room are available to enhance learning and help visitors understand the entire cave ecosystem, from the birth of the universe to the cave formation process.MoreLess

   

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2. 2

   Donghae Nongoldam-gil (Lighthouse Mural Village)

   동해 논골담길 (등대 담화마을)

   Nongoldam-gil refers to the path leading from Mukhohang Port in Donghae, Gangwon-do up to Mukho Lighthouse. Starting in August 2010, the Donghae Cultural Center visited the elderly residents of Nongol Village one by one to paint murals on alleyways and walls based on their life stories. Members of "Majubogi," a public art collective formed by art college graduates, drew the sketches while village seniors in their 60s and 70s painted them, creating the Nongol Village mural street. Along Nongoldam-gil, delightful murals depict the life stories of people who lived against the backdrop of Mukhohang Port, which bustled every dawn with fishing vessels carrying full loads of pollock and squid. MoreLess

   

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3. 3

   Mukhohang Port

   묵호항

   Mukhohang Port in Donghae-si, Gangwon-do opened in 1941, beginning as the premier trading port on the east coast before transforming into a major east coast fishery base. If you visit early in the morning when fishing boats arrive, you can purchase fresh fish for sashimi straight from the catch at the fish market, and watching the fish auction is also a unique experience. In addition, there are shops where you can purchase dried seafood and other items.MoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Bukpyeong Folk Five-day Market (3rd, 8th)

   북평민속오일장 (3, 8일)

   On days ending in 3 and 8 each month, a bustling market comes alive in Gumi-dong, Donghae-si. Unlike neighboring markets, Bukpyeong Market is a traditional Yeongdong five-day market that continues to thrive day by day. It presents a vibrant spectacle, from bargaining and browsing goods spread across open stalls to the lively fun of shopping shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd.MoreLess

   

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5. 5
   Chuam Beach

   추암해변

   Located in front of Chuam-ri Village in southern Bukpyeong-dong, Donghae-si, this beach features a 150-meter-long white sand shore. With coastal cliffs, caves, and rock formations of various sizes like Kalbawi (Knife Rock) and Chodaebawi (Candlestick Rock) creating spectacular scenery, it is quiet and shallow, making it ideal for family vacations. Renowned as an outstanding scenic attraction, it has long been called "Haegeumgang" (Sea Geumgang). During the reign of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty, Han Myeong-hoe was so captivated by its landscape while serving as royal inspector of Gangwon-do that he called it Neungpadae. It also houses "Haeamjeong Pavilion (海岩亭)," a local cultural heritage site built by Sim Dong-ro, the founder of the Samcheok Sim clan, after retiring from public office in the 10th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo.MoreLess

   

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