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Korea's East Sea Road: Route Guide
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From Busan's beaches up the pine-backed east coast: Silla royal tombs, Confucian villages and a granite national park dropping straight to the sea.
Korea's East Sea Road is a 470 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 5–7 days; the plan below is the 6-day version for September, built from 521 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
5–7
days
470km
distance
4
Stops
521
curated stops
Plan your own version → 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go
The route
Busan→ 90 kmGyeongju→ 120 kmAndong→ 260 kmSokcho
What you'll see
Pusan National University
Lively student area with bars, cafes, shops, and Korean student food.
Busan
Bulguksa Temple
Admire ornate stone pagodas and intricate Buddhist carvings in a serene temple setting.
Gyeongju
Hahoe Folk Village
Explore a preserved Joseon Dynasty village by the river.
Andong
Seoraksan National Park
Hike through rugged peaks and scenic valleys in this majestic mountain range.
Sokcho
Gwangalli Beach
Feel the ocean breeze under illuminated bridges in a lively beach scene.
Busan
Seokguram Grotto
Feel the tranquility of a granite Buddha illuminated by a solstice sunbeam in a sacred grotto.
Gyeongju
Byongdae cliff
Take in panoramic village views from atop a scenic cliff.
Andong
Sokcho Beach
Relax on a clean, white sand beach backed by lush pine forests.
Sokcho
Choose your length
5-day plan5 stops/day · 2.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →6-day plan4.8 stops/day · 2.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →7-day plan5.1 stops/day · 2.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →
When to go
Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October
Seoraksan's maples peak late October — Korea's most famous autumn view.
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