Seoul, Cheongnyangri Railway Station, to Donghae

                                                         Seoul to Donghae with overnight stop.

There is a direct train every few hours from Seoul, Cheongnyangri station, to Donghae train station. This is by far the best way to travel to take in all the diverse scenery in comfort. The ticket was first class with dedicated seating. To be fair the seat in first class was not a lot better than 2nd class. There are no ‘add ons’  i.e. free food or drink. However the ticket, booked in advance was 22,000 Won so first class seemed the way forward.

A coach will take about 2/3 hours, and the train takes about 5 hours. The train is not a ‘bullet type’ and does take a rather elongated route, heading south east, and back again. However the route is spectacular and well worth the extended couple of hours. We began in sun, and as we went further up the hills the weather changed to snow, settling back to fog and rain. So we had all the climates in one afternoon.

View from Seoul to Donghae Train

Remember to take something to eat and drink as on this train there was not any form of catering except for a rather tatty vending machine.

Once at Donghae station we transferred by taxi to the ‘ Donghae Boyang Rejuvenation Hot Springs and Grand Hotel’, situated at the other side of the town. Approx. 12,000 won cab fare. Make sure you have the name of the hotel written in Korean or you may have a problem. 

Photo of hotel

Donghae Boyang Rejuvenation Hot Springs and Grand Hotel

What a lovely place. We took drinks in the dining hall situated on the 7^th floor and was entertained by a pianist and saxophonist. 

Pianist and saxophonist Donghae Grand Hotel

This was repeated over breakfast. If you do stay there walk over the footbridge towards the seafront. There are a number of restaurants and a GS25 (7/11) convenience store. I did struggle at the restaurants as everything is mystery food written in Korean. Then lifesaver, for me, was a pizza restaurant on the upper floor. However be aware that last food and drink orders was about 8.30 closure at 9.30pm.