Gangwon Province

How to See the Sea and Seoraksan Together from the Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel

Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel is a 65-meter-high seaside Ferris wheel next to Sokcho Beach, offering views of the East Sea and Seoraksan from 36 cabins. This guide covers operating hours, fares, waiting times, stair access, parking, and transportation information for international visitors.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 15 min 173

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Why it was built next to Sokcho Beach on March 25, 2022

Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel opened on March 25, 2022. It is introduced as the only Ferris wheel in South Korea located on a beach, and is positioned so that visitors can look down from a high point above the beach toward Sokcho Beach and the East Sea, rather than simply looking up at them from nearby.

The Ferris wheel is approximately 65 m high, equivalent to the height of a 22-story apartment building. Thanks to its seaside location, riders can see Sokcho Beach and the East Sea during the ride, and on clear days, the spectacular scenery of Seoraksan Mountain also comes into view.

속초해수욕장 옆에 선 속초아이대관람차의 모습입니다. — A view of the Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel standing beside Sokcho Beach. — Photo source: kakaocdn.net

What 36 cabins and a 15-minute ride actually mean

Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel consists of 36 cabins, each with a capacity of six people. Therefore, up to 216 people can use it at the same time. Since one full rotation takes approximately 15 minutes, the ride itself is not a lengthy activity but a short course that fits well between walks along Sokcho Beach.

The cabins have automatic doors, and visitors are informed that they can connect to Bluetooth speakers to listen to music. During summer, air conditioning is provided inside the cabins. However, food and beverages other than bottled water are not allowed, and pets cannot enter.

Why weekday closing is at 20:00 but weekend closing is at 21:00

As of August 2026, weekday operating hours are 10:00–20:00, with ticket sales ending at 19:30. On weekends and public holidays, it operates from 10:00 to 21:00, with ticket sales ending at 20:30. The Korea Tourism Information listing states that it is open year-round without regular closing days.

Some information materials list Saturday hours separately as 10:00–21:00. If you plan to ride on a weekend evening, you must arrive before ticket sales end at 20:30, and operations may also be suspended due to severe weather.

From an adult fare of 12,000 won to free admission for children under 36 months

As of August 2026, the adult fare is 12,000 won and the child fare is 6,000 won. Residents of Sokcho also pay 6,000 won, while the senior and group fares are 9,000 won. Infants under 36 months are eligible for free admission.

Visitor reviews indicate that on-site payment is possible only by credit card. The tourism information inquiry number is 0507-1482-0107, while some information materials list 033-632-0090 as the main telephone number. The official website is https://sokchoeye.imweb.me.

Getting there in a five-minute walk from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal

Travelers visiting Sokcho for the first time may find it easy to use Sokcho Express Bus Terminal as their starting point. Visitor reviews state that Sokcho Eye is approximately a five-minute walk from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. The address is 2 Cheonghohaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and the lot-based address is 1450-143 Joyang-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

At the Express Bus Terminal bus stop, local buses 1 and 7 are listed, along with 1-1, 6, 7-1, 9, 9-1, 9-2, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 22. At the Saemaeul bus stop, listed local buses include 1, 1-1, 6, 7, 7-1, 9, 9-1, 9-2, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19-1, 22, and 66-1.

Sokcho Beach public parking and peak-season fees

If you arrive by car, you can use the Sokcho Beach public parking lot. During the off-season (September 1–June 30 of the following year), the fee is 1,000 won for up to two hours, 2,000 won for 2–8 hours, and 4,000 won for 8–24 hours.

During the peak season, July 1–August 31, the fee for up to two hours at the public parking lot is listed as 2,000 won. Even if you are only stopping to ride the Ferris wheel, weekends may involve separate waits for ticketing and boarding. It is therefore prudent to allow time for situations described in visitor reviews, such as 30 minutes to purchase an admission ticket and another approximately 30 minutes before boarding.

Stairs, restrooms, and restrictions foreign visitors may easily miss

Visitor reviews mention that there is no elevator and that stairs must be used. Although the cabins have automatic doors, official materials do not confirm whether the entire route before boarding is suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. People who have difficulty using stairs should therefore inquire first with their companions about the extent of on-site accessibility.

Some visitor reviews mention that restroom access may be restricted in the waiting area before boarding. Food and beverages other than bottled water cannot be brought into the cabins, and pets are not allowed. Since the availability of English information and audio guides has not been confirmed, foreign visitors may find it practical to save the address and fares on their phones and bring a credit card.

When should you ride: the East Sea by day or Sokcho’s night view?

During the day, you can look out over Sokcho Beach and the sparkling East Sea, and on clear days you can also expect views of Seoraksan Mountain. Travelers who want to capture the sea and mountains in a single view can choose a time with daylight, while those who want to see Sokcho’s night scenery with the lights on can choose an evening ride during the weekend operating hours until 21:00.

Even for nighttime visits, ticket sales end at 20:30 on weekends and public holidays. The Ferris wheel ride takes approximately 15 minutes, and visitor reviews report that ticketing and boarding each took about 30 minutes on weekends. Rather than arriving at the last possible moment, it is better to leave ample time when traveling from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. For operating inquiries, call 0507-1482-0107.

Current guidance when visiting a site reported to be subject to a demolition order

A report dated January 21, 2026 stated that a first-instance ruling had recognized the legality of Sokcho City’s demolition order. The same report explained that Sokcho Eye was operating normally at the time while enforcement was suspended. Regardless of the facility’s long-term operating status, this legal situation may affect whether it is operating at the time of your visit.

For current travel planning, you can use the listed hours of 10:00–20:00 on weekdays and 10:00–21:00 on weekends and public holidays, with an adult fare of 12,000 won. The address is 2 Cheonghohaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The official website is https://sokchoeye.imweb.me, and the tourism information number is 0507-1482-0107.

Before You Go

Address: 2 Cheonghohaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Hours: Weekdays 10:00–20:00, ticket sales end at 19:30 / Weekends and public holidays 10:00–21:00, ticket sales end at 20:30
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Adults 12,000 won / Children 6,000 won / Sokcho residents 6,000 won / Seniors 9,000 won / Groups 9,000 won / Free for infants under 36 months
Phone: 0507-1482-0107
Official site: https://sokchoeye.imweb.me
Transport: Visitor reviews say it is approximately a five-minute walk from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. Local buses 1, 1-1, 6, 7, 7-1, 9, 9-1, 9-2, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 22 are listed at the Express Bus Terminal bus stop.
Parking: Sokcho Beach public parking lot available. Some materials list off-season fees of 1,000 won for up to two hours / 2,000 won for 2–8 hours / 4,000 won for 8–24 hours.
Time needed: Approximately 15 minutes for the Ferris wheel ride, according to reviews
Accessibility: Visitor reviews mention that stairs are used because there is no elevator, while information states that the cabins have automatic doors.

The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel Sokcho Beach East Sea Seoraksan views Sokcho travel information

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