Lake Geumho

Lake Geumho

Lake Geumho, as the name suggests, is as clear as a mirror. Also known as Geumpo or Gunja Lake, it is located about 6 kilometers northeast of Gangneung. Lake Geumho is a natural lake connected to the sea (formed when sand and stones accumulated due to tides and waves, blocking the bay’s entrance), and is also famous as a wintering habitat for migratory birds.

In the past, it had a circumference of about 12 kilometers, making it quite a large lake, but nowadays, due to the influx and deposition of soil and sand, both its area and depth have significantly decreased. Lake Geumho bears traces of prehistoric culture (from the late Neolithic period) and is also associated with the legend of the Hwarang. On the rocky island (Bird Rock) in the lake, there is a pavilion where a plaque inscribed with the characters “Bird Rock,” said to have been written by Song Si-yeol, is hung.

There is also an interesting legend that says four or five moons can be seen rising here — one in the sky, one in the sea, one in the lake, one in a wine glass, and one in the eyes of a loved one. Lake Geumho has long been a famous fishing spot due to its clear waters, but as the lake became increasingly polluted, it was designated as a nature reserve and fishing has been prohibited. Transportation guide: Take the 202 bus headed for Geumho from downtown Gangneung, which takes about 25 minutes, or a taxi, which takes around 15 minutes.

Gangneung, South Korea