Seasonal Picks October 25, 2026 · 6 min read

Top 5 New Year Sunrise Spots and Seaside Temples on the East and South Seas: Gangneung's Jeongdongjin, Busan's Haedong Yonggungsa, Yeosu's Hyangiram, Gyeongju's Tomb of King Munmu, and Haenam's Land's End

Korea's five great sunrise sanctuaries, where you make New Year wishes and vow a fresh start as the red sun rises over the horizon

Cover photo: Jeongdongjin Station (Gangneunggak) Photo: IR 스튜디오 · Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

3-line summary for busy travelers

Korea's sunrise spots fall into 'train station and coastal-pine seaside sunrises (Gangneung's Jeongdongjin Station, Gyeongju's Tomb of King Munmu),' 'sunrises from Gwaneum (Avalokiteshvara) temple sanctuaries atop rock cliffs (Busan's Haedong Yonggungsa, Yeosu's Hyangiram),' and 'the symbolic sunrise at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula (Haenam's Ttangkkeut Observatory).'
The sunrise spot easiest to reach by public transportation (KTX) is Gangneung's Jeongdongjin Station, while Gyeongju's Tomb of King Munmu is unrivaled for a nation-protecting sunrise rising over a majestic rocky islet in the sea.
If you also want to pray for your New Year wishes to come true, visit Hyangiram in Yeosu, a hermitage that faces the sun, and Haedong Yonggungsa in Busan, on the sea cliffs of Gijang.

Comparison table at a glance

Key comparison: Top 5 New Year Sunrise Spots and Seaside Temples on the East and South Seas: Gangneung's Jeongdongjin, Busan's Haedong Yonggungsa, Yeosu's Hyangiram, Gyeongju's Tomb of King Munmu, and Haenam's Land's End
City and spot	Sea area	Sunrise backdrop	Key moving moment
Gangneung's Jeongdongjin Station & Sandglass Park	Central East Sea	Railroad tracks + coastal pines + East Sea horizon	The most romantic sunrise, waiting the moment you step off the train
Busan's Haedong Yonggungsa Temple	Southern East Sea	Rugged coastal cliffs + the main hall's dancheong paintwork + waves	A temple sunrise greeted with the sound of waves from Sunrise Rock
Yeosu's Hyangiram Hermitage	Central South Sea	Turtle Rock hermitage + wide-open South Sea horizon	One of Korea's four great Gwaneum prayer sites, reached through seven rock gates
Gyeongju's Tomb of King Munmu	Southern East Sea	Underwater rock islet in the sea (Daewangam) + flocks of seagulls	A mysterious omega sunrise with the red sun caught between the rocks of Daewangam
Haenam's Ttangkkeut Observatory	Tip of the southwest sea	Land's End torch-shaped observatory + sunrise over the Maemseom islets	A sunrise where you vow a fresh start at the end of the Korean mainland

1. A Majestic Sun Splitting the East Sea Horizon: Gangneung's Jeongdongjin Station & Gyeongju's Tomb of King Munmu

Hands down, Koreans' eternal No. 1 sunrise destination is Gangneung's Jeongdongjin Station and Sandglass Park. Stepping off a dawn train in the half-light and watching the dark blue East Sea horizon turn red beyond the pines in front of the platform fills you with heart-swelling excitement every time. Right after sunrise, head to Gyeongpodae and Chodang Sundubu Village for a warm breakfast, and your frozen body will gently thaw.

Ask photographers to name their favorite East Sea sunrise spot and they'll say the Tomb of King Munmu off Bonggil Daewangam Beach in Gyeongju. As the sun rises right behind the underwater tomb, a rocky islet floating 200 m offshore, and blends with flocks of seagulls soaring over the rocks, you feel the thrill of witnessing the myths of thousand-year Silla right before your eyes.

Yeohaenggak editor's tip To photograph and enjoy the sunrise, arrive at least 30–40 minutes before the sunrise time forecast by the Korea Meteorological Administration so you can see the most beautiful colors of twilight (dawn).

Gangneunggak preview Visit Gangneunggak

Gyeongjugak preview Visit Gyeongjugak

2. New Year Prayers at Temples on Rock Cliffs: Busan's Haedong Yonggungsa & Yeosu's Hyangiram

If you're setting out with one earnest wish in your heart, beyond simply watching the sunrise, a seaside Gwaneum sanctuary temple is the answer. Haedong Yonggungsa in Gijang, Busan, is a one-of-a-kind temple where you can greet the sun in front of Sunrise Rock (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva) by the sea while hearing both the crashing East Sea waves and the moktak wooden drum of the dawn service.

Hyangiram, on the southern tip of Yeosu's Dolsando Island, literally means 'hermitage facing the sun.' Pass through narrow stone rock gates and stand in the courtyard of the Gwaneumjeon and Daeungjeon halls, and the South Sea spreads out far below your feet as sunlight bursting from the edge of the horizon turns the rocks of Geumosan and the whole sea golden.

**Haedong Yonggungsa Temple**

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Yeohaenggak editor's tip Over New Year's (December 31–January 1), the access roads to Hyangiram and Haedong Yonggungsa are closed to traffic and shuttle buses run, so if you want a relaxed sunrise without crowds, we recommend a sunrise walk on a weekday in January or from February through spring.

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Yeosugak preview Visit Yeosugak

3. Where the End Becomes a New Beginning: Haenam's Ttangkkeut Observatory

The sunrise at Haenam's Ttangkkeut Observatory, where the Korean Peninsula finally meets the sea, holds special meaning for travelers facing a turning point in life, thanks to its symbolism of starting over from the end. The sight of the sun rising between the two rocky islets (Maemseom) standing side by side in the waters off Ttangkkeut Ferry Terminal is one of Namdo's finest hidden views.

After the sunrise, warm your hands with a hot coffee at Haenam Ttangkkeut Observatory Cafe, then deepen your first trip of the year with a walk through the thousand-year-old temples of nearby Mihwangsa and Daeheungsa.

Yeohaenggak editor's tip To spend one night in Haenam's Ttangkkeut Village and catch the sunrise, it's convenient to base yourself at Haenam126 Hotel in the Oceano area or Gaeul Hanok Guesthouse near Daeheungsa.

Haenamgak preview Visit Haenamgak

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q. Where can I see a New Year sunrise on a day trip by train alone, without a car?

Gangneung's Jeongdongjin Station, where the sea is visible the moment you step onto the platform after taking a night or dawn KTX from Cheongnyangni or Seoul Station, is the most convenient car-free sunrise trip in the country.

Q. What should I bring to watch a seaside sunrise in winter?

The 30 minutes just before sunrise (6:50–7:30 a.m.) are the coldest of the day, with strong sea winds, so be sure to wear earmuffs or a beanie, gloves, hand warmers, and a windproof padded jacket so you can enjoy the sunrise without shivering.

Q. What can I eat right after the sunrise, around 8 a.m.?

In Gangneung, the morning sundubu baekban (soft tofu set meal) at Chodang Sundubu Village; in Yeosu, haejangguk (hangover soup) or baekban with Dolsan gat kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi); and near Gampo and the Tomb of King Munmu in Gyeongju, flounder seaweed soup (chamgajami miyeokguk) or seafood kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) make excellent warming breakfasts.

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