When at Gangneung City, make sure to visit the Time Museum which is built inside an actual train. A first in Korea. And while you’re at it, make a side trip to Seojichogaddeul Restaurant for some authentic Korean food.
TIME MUSEUM
Upon entering the Time Museum, a small coffee shop will immediately welcome you. The smell of coffee wafting from the coffee maker will make you stop and order a cuppa joe and some pastries.
The Time Museum has a variety of clocks on display including an ancient sundial, modern caesium clock and the world’s only remaining pocket watch which points to the time of the sinking of the Titanic.
Sundial
This is the first, largest and most accurate sundial in Korea and one of the biggest equatorial in the world. It is 7.2 meters high, weighs 1.7 tons and made of bronze. At noontime, it is when the sun is at its strongest. It is during this time that you will find yourself, the Polaris and sundial all in a straight line.
After visiting the museum, you may want to go around and explore some more via the Jeongdongjin Rail Bike.
The Jeongdongjin Rail Bike operates through a 5.1km-long circular railway. The railway passes through Jeongdongjin Station with a view of the wide sea, surrounding mountains and clear air, Baramaneun Madang (Windy Yards) and Hourglass Park, and then goes all the way back to Jeongdongjin Station.
Jeongdongjin, where the Time Museum is located at, is one of the famous tourist attractions in Korea to see the sunrise. This is also home to the Jeongdongjin sea-side sunrise scene of the 1955 drama, Sand Glass.
At the Time Museum, you learn about the diversity of clocks, the art that comes with it and the stories behind each clock. Over 250 rare, artistic clocks from all over the world help visitors understand the history of humans and science and how they deal with time. It is not only a great learning center, but also a venue for friends, couples, or families to appreciate the importance of time in our lives.
ADMISSION FEE
Adults: 6,000Won
Youth: 5,000Won
Child: 4,000Won
People with disabilities/Senior (65yrs old up): 3,000Won
OPERATING HOURS
Opens at 0900H
Last Admission:
November – January: 1700H
February – April: 1720H
May – August: 1740H
September – October: 1720H
990-1, Heonhwa-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
T: 033-644-5644
http://www.jdjmuseum.com (Korean Only)
SEOJICHOGADDEUL RESTAURANT (The Garden of Grass House Restaurant)
This 300 year old restaurant has been converted into a restaurant that serves organic and traditional Korean food.
A very homey restaurant where you can lay back and relax after a long and tiring day of exploring the city.
As all traditional Korean restaurants, you have to remove your shoes before entering and sit down on the floor.
And as all Korean restaurants, bowls and kimchis are a thing.
I was amazed with the assortment of side dishes and different kinds of kimchi that were served at Seojichogaddeul Restaurant! This is a typical traditional Korean meal or Hanjeongsik.
I started munching on this Crispy Fried Pepper which was dusted with sugar. It’s quite addicting! It’s like eating spicy chips!
Fried Buckwheat with Kimchi
Bellflower root (long strands in orange)
Acorn Jelly
At Seojichogaddeul Restaurant, you will be served rice water at room temperature as your drink to wash down your food. Think of it as our own “hugas bigas” placed in one large bowl. Simply scoop some into your teacup. They say that rice water helps in digestion instead of regular water.
Flower Rice Cake or Whajeon
This rice cake with chestnut and dates symbolizes the birth dream. The chestnut represents the Sun which gives hope and life while the circle symbolizes the traditional Korean design – harmony between heaven, earth and man. This rice cake is served during special occasions and festivities.
This is Mrs. Choi – the gracious owner of Seojichogaddeul Restaurant who prepared our delicious lunch and this colorful rice cake.
Seojichogaddeul Restaurant will bring families and friends closer together while indulging on Korea’s colorful, festive, authentic and delicious specialties. It actually doesn’t get more authentic than this!
Contact Details
264, Nangok-dong, Gangneung,
Gangwon-do, South Korea
T: 033-646-4430
Special thanks to Korea Tourism Organization and AirAsia for making this Gangneung-si Tour as well as our entire trip possible.
