Hyanghohaebyeon Beach

North of Jumunjin in Gangneung, Hyanghohaebyeon Beach is a stretch of white sand backed by pine forest, running on into Jumunjin Beach to the south. What made it famous around the world is a lone bus stop on the sand. BTS shot the cover photos for their album YOU NEVER WALK ALONE, released in February 2017, right here, and today fans and travellers from Korea and abroad queue to take their own picture.

A bus stop with no buses

No bus route actually runs here. The shelter was put up temporarily in front of the beach for the album shoot and taken down afterwards. As fans kept arriving to find the location, Gangneung City rebuilt the stop exactly as it looked and turned it into a photo spot. So despite the sign, no bus will ever pull in.

With the horizon visible straight through its glass walls, the classic shot is sitting on the bench or standing beside the shelter with the sea behind you. A few other props, such as a swing and a photo frame, stand on the beach as well.

Beach and pine forest

The sand is fine and white, and there is a campsite in the pine woods behind. It is quieter than Jumunjin Beach and good for a slow walk along the shore. The Haeparang Trail Course 41, part of the long-distance path along the east coast, passes close to the beach.

Why it became so famous

YOU NEVER WALK ALONE is the repackage of BTS's 2016 second studio album WINGS, with "Spring Day" as its title track. Thanks to the cover image, an empty bus stop in front of the winter sea as if someone were waiting there, the spot became a pilgrimage site for fans. It once topped a national vote for the Korean Wave filming locations people most wanted to visit.

Tripto tips

• Opening and fees: open 24 hours, every day, no entry fee. Parking is available.
• Taking photos: expect a long queue at the bus stop at weekends and on holidays. Come early on a weekday morning or towards sunset. The beach faces east, so sunrise works well too.
• Time needed: 30 minutes for photos, 1–2 hours with a walk on the beach.
• Getting there: the beach is about 2–3 km north of central Jumunjin and its harbour, so a taxi or car is easiest.
• Combine with: have raw fish or seafood at Jumunjin Fish Market, then continue the coastal drive south to Yeongjin Beach or north to the beaches of Yangyang.
• Watch out for: waves on the East Sea can build quickly. Stay out of the water when no lifeguards are on duty or the surf is high.
• Photo etiquette: the bench is everyone's photo spot. When the queue is long, take a few shots and make way for the next person.
• Camping: the campsite in the pines behind the beach lets you watch the sun rise over the sea from your tent.
• Best time: summer for swimming, but for the crisp winter sea of the album cover, pick a clear day between December and February.
• Information: Gangneung tourist information, +82 33-640-5420