The tower's design is inspired by the imagery of a lighthouse, reflecting Sokcho's identity as a port city.
The 73.4-meter height represents the culmination of the 1999 Gangwon International Tourism Expo efforts.
The structure is built on reclaimed land along the edge of Cheongchoho, a natural lagoon connected to the East Sea.
The observation deck offers specific views of the North Korean border mountains on exceptionally clear days.
The Expo Tower is a 73.4-meter high observation structure situated within the site of the 1999 International Exposition in Sokcho, South Korea. Its distinctive design features a tripod-shaped base that splits into three legs, supporting an observation deck at the top. The tower provides 360-degree panoramic views of the Sokcho city landscape, the East Sea, and the Seoraksan mountain range. Visitors access the upper level via an internal elevator. The structure serves as a central landmark for the Cheongchoho Lake park area. It was built to commemorate the global event hosted in the city in the late 1990s. The surrounding park contains recreational walking paths and water-adjacent facilities.
From the ground level at the base of the tower looking upward to capture the unique geometry of the tripod legs.
Check the visibility forecast for the Seoraksan mountains before heading up.
Combine the visit with a walk around the perimeter of Cheongchoho Lake.
Bring a pair of binoculars for identifying distant harbor activities.
Visiting during heavy fog or rainy conditions, as the primary draw—the panoramic visibility—will be significantly obscured.
Occasionally closed during extreme weather conditions such as high winds or severe typhoons.
