Gangwon

Hwajinpo Beach

Hwajinpo Beach lies along Korea's far northeastern coast in Goseong, just below the inter-Korean border. The lagoon that backs the beach is fringed by pine forest and is famously the site of three former vacation villas — used at different times by Kim Il-sung, Syngman Rhee, and Yi Beom-seok — all preserved today as small museums. That juxtaposition of dark history and bright beach gives Hwajinpo an unusually layered atmosphere. The beach itself is broad, the water clear, and crowds noticeably thinner than at Sokcho or Yangyang an hour south. Pair the swim with a tour of the three historic villas. Open year-round; best for swimming in July and August.