Mangsang Beach

About 3 km north of Mukho Port in Donghae, a wide strip of sand runs along the coast behind a belt of pine trees. Mangsang's water is shallow and clear, which makes it popular with families, and it is counted among the signature beaches of Gangwon's east coast alongside Gyeongpo and Okgye. It has been a holiday favourite for decades, and with an auto-camping site and more accommodation it now draws visitors year-round.

The beach

The beach is usually given as about 1.4 km long. The sand is fine and slopes gently, so on calm days you can wade quite far out before the water gets deep. Pine forest lines the back of the beach, so shade is easy to find even in midsummer. Wooden boardwalks run across the sand, letting you get close to the water without taking your shoes off. Around 30 species of coastal plants, such as beach silvertop, beach pea and beach morning glory, grow wild on the edges of the sand.

Facing straight out to the east, the beach is a good place to watch the sun rise from the sea on a clear morning. On windy days the waves build up and are impressive to watch, but that is a day to stay out of the water.

A long-established resort

Mangsang was designated national tourist resort No. 2 in March 1977, a sign of how early it became a popular east-coast holiday spot; it is said to be able to take up to 50,000 people at once. Behind the beach are campsites, the auto-camping resort, hotels and guesthouses, shops, showers and changing rooms, so families arriving with plenty of gear are well catered for.

What to do

• Swimming: the beach operates officially in summer. In 2026 it was open for 41 days, from 8 July to 17 August, set up as a family beach with inflatable play equipment and a children's pool. Lifeguards are on duty during the season.
• Mangsang Auto Camping Resort: campsites and cabins in the pines directly behind the beach. Bookings go through Donghae City's online reservation system, and peak dates fill up early.
• Beach walks: outside the swimming season, the boardwalk and the sand are good for a stroll, and plenty of people come to see the winter sea.

Nearby

To the south lie Mukho Port and the Nongoldam-gil alley village, and further on Chuam Beach with its famous candlestick rock. To the north, towards Okgye, is a memorial to the navy's wartime achievements, and a little further is Jeongdongjin. A drive along the coastal road, stopping at several beaches, suits this stretch well.

Tripto tips

• Time needed: about an hour for a walk, half a day or more if you swim.
• Best time: swim only during the July–August season. Spring and autumn mornings are quiet and good for a walk and the sunrise.
• Getting there: KTX trains from Seoul run via Gangneung to Mukho and Donghae stations; from there take a taxi or city bus. The address is 6270-10 Donghae-daero, Donghae, and there is a car park.
• Safety: after the season ends there are no lifeguards, so avoid swimming, and keep away from the water's edge when strong wind or high waves are forecast.