Best places in Korea to watch sunrise in 2018
People watch the sun rise at Haeundae Beach in Busan on Jan. 1, 2017. / Korea Times file
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Watching the first sunrise of the year is a great way to ring in the New Year and sunrise spots across the nation will be the most crowded on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Celebrating the beginning of the New Year by watching the first sunrise of the year and making a wish upon the rising sun is a tradition in Korea.
According to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the earliest sunrise can be seen from Dokdo at 7:26 a.m.
On the Korean Peninsula, Ganjeolgot Cape in the southeastern city of Ulsan is where you can watch the first sunrise of the New Year at 7:31 a.m.
To celebrate the occasion, the Ulsan Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival offers a variety of events starting at sunset on Dec. 31. There is a year-end concert as well as fireworks displays and other activities all night long.
Visit ganjeolgot.ulju.ulsan.kr for more information.
Another popular sunrise spot, Homigot Cape in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, throws the Homigot Sunrise Festival from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.
The cape, which is thought to be the tail of the tiger-shaped Korean Peninsula, is also one of the places where the sun rises first in Korea.
This year's sunrise festival features various events and performances around sunrise, with rice cake soup, a traditional New Year's dish in Korea, available for 10,000 people.
Visit phcf.or.kr for more information.
Seoul-Gangneung train connects East Coast
With the PyeongChang Winter Games drawing nearer, the Seoul-Gangneung express train went into operation on Dec. 22. The KTX train connects the capital and the Winter Olympics venue within two hours, bringing Seoul and Gangwon Province closer together.
The Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival is one of the most popular sunrise events of Gangwon Province, home of 2018 Winter Games.
Jeongdongjin is famous for its splendid sunrise view over the East Sea as well as its train station, which is the closest one to the sea in the world. The beach is also known as the backdrop for the hit Korean drama "Sandglass."
Visit
for more information.
While the east coast is known for its sunrise, the west coast is famous for gorgeous sunset views, from a common-sense standpoint.
However, some beaches on the west coast offer both views due to unique topographic features.
Geojampo Beach in Incheon is close to Seoul and its port faces east, offering a great view of sunrise.
Waemok Village in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, also offers a few observatory points for both sunset and sunrise.
Mt. Baebong Sunrise festival in Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Sun rises in cities, too
Most people head out of urban areas to watch the first sunrise of the year, but there are a handful of great viewing spots to catch the first rays of 2018 within Seoul as well.
Mt. Acha is where the sun will rise first in Seoul and the Achasan Sunrise Festival attracts over 40,000 visitors a year. Easily accessible via public transportation, a short 15-minute hike to the peak boosts the festival's popularity.
In the heart of Seoul, Palgakjeong Pavilion on Mt. Nam, the beacon fire station at the top of Mt. An and the observatory of Mt. Baebong are great spots to watch the sunrise.
Citizens can also take part in sunrise festivities at the World Cup Park and the Olympic Park as well.
Keeping warm is important
Exposure to intense cold temperatures while watching the sunrise in the open air is unavoidable, so experts advise staying as warm as possible to prevent hypothermia or frostbite.
Warm, heat-retaining layers of clothes, gloves and face warmer masks must and it is advised to take heat packs and hot water bottles to preserve body heat.
Many sunrise spots in Seoul are high on mountains, which means hiking uphill in the dark to get there. It is best to prepare a flashlight, hiking footwear and hiking sticks for safety.