Gangneung is a municipal city located in Gangwon Province, South Korea, situated on the east coast of the country. It serves as the economic centre of the Yeongdong region within Gangwon State. Geographically, the city lies to the east of the Taebaek Mountains, which form the waist of the Korean peninsula, with the Sea of Japan bordering it to the east.

The area was home to the Yemaek people and became part of Wiman Joseon in 129 BC before entering Goguryeo territory in 313. It passed through Silla, Goryeo, and Joseon periods, undergoing several name changes including Sungju and Myungju. Gangneung City was formally established in 1995 through the merger of Gangneung and Myeongju areas.

The city features twenty beaches, including Anmok Beach and Gyeongpo Beach, and Gyeongpo Lake, the second largest lagoon on the east coast. Heritage sites include the Main Gate of Imyeonggwan, Ojukheon, and Gyeongpodae pavilion. The city also hosts the Gangneung City Museum and the Hwanhui Cup Museum, alongside ten other museums.

Gangneung Danoje is the oldest festival in South Korea, designated as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The city is famous for Chodang dubu, tea ceremonies, and the Anmok Coffee Street. It hosted all ice events for the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.

The population is 206,780 as of 2025. Gangneung experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and cooler summers due to its coastal location. Access is provided by KTX high-speed trains from Seoul in approximately two hours, alongside expressways and the Gangneung Intercity Bus Terminal.