This year’s Lunar New Year holiday is from January 28th to 30th. If you’re lucky enough to get a sandwich holiday on Monday and Friday, you’ll have a pretty long weekend. Secret Seoul has compiled a list of 10 sunrise spots in and around Seoul. As the sun rises, why not make a wish and wish for a healthy, happy, and prosperous year ahead?
1. Inwangsan and Achasan – Easy to Climb Mountains
Inwangsan and Achasan are easy mountains that even beginners can climb without any problems, which is why many people come to watch the sunrise on New Year’s Day. Among the many hiking trails, Inwangsan Bumbaegwi and Achasan Sunrise Park are two of the most popular sunrise spots.
📍 Inwangsan: San 2-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
📍 Achasan: Gwangjin-gu, Seoul ~ Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2. Bonghwasan – Climbable by wheelchairs and strollers
If you’re traveling with a wheelchair or a small child in a stroller, Bonghwasan is a great option. The path to Bonghwasan is decked and barrier-free, so you can push a wheelchair or stroller up the mountain. There are shelters and observation decks along the way, so you can watch the sunrise, so why not climb Bonghwasan on Lunar New Year’s Day?
📍 Mukdong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul
3. Ansan Bongsudae – View Restaurant
Ansan Bongsudae, also known as Muaksan Mountain, is one of the best spots for sunrise in Seoul. It is made up of many rocks, so you can sit on the rocks and get a great view of Namsan and Lotte Tower. This is one of the most beautiful views of Seoul’s mountains, and many people come here to watch the sunrise, especially on New Year’s Day.
📍 San 1, Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
4. Seonyudo Park – Sunrise over landmarks
If you don’t want to hike but still want to see the sunrise, Seonyudo Park is the place to go. Sunrise at Seonyudo Park is a great way to see the sun rise over the iconic skyscrapers of Seoul, including the Seonyudo Bridge and the Yeouido Twin Towers.
📍 343, Seonyu-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
5. Sky Park – Easy to access, yet offers panoramic views
Probably the most popular sunrise spot in Seoul, Sky Park is a park that offers an unobstructed view of the sky, so you can enjoy the sunrise to the fullest without any restrictions.
📍 95, Haneulgong Park-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
6. Yeongjongdo Island – Close to Seoul and the sun rising over the sea
Yeongjongdo Island, which is close to Seoul, is a popular place to watch the sun rise over the sea, especially Shark Island (Mado Rang). Shark Island is an uninhabited island shaped like a shark fin, and the sun rising over the fin is said to be beautiful.
📍 671-3, Unnam-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon
7. Dangjin Waemok Village – The most beautiful sunrise in the West Sea
Dangjin Waemok Village is a bit far from Seoul, but it is considered one of the most beautiful sunrises in the West Sea. That’s why it’s also called Whymok Village where the sun rises and sets. It is the only place in Korea where you can see the sunrise and sunset at the same time, which is why it attracts many visitors on New Year’s Day.
📍 26, Waeomok-gil, Seokmun-myeon, Dangjin-si, Chungnam-do
8. Donghae Chuam Candlestick Rock – When the rising sun catches the tip of the candlestick rock
Donghae is a must-see at sunrise, and we recommend Chuam Candlestick Rock. Candlestick Rock, a small rocky mountain next to Chuam Beach, is named after the shape of the rock, which resembles a candle. Especially when the sun rises over the East Sea, it looks like a lit candle at the tip of Candlestick Rock. The romance of the winter sea is a bonus.
📍 San69, Chuam-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
9. Yeonggeumjeong, Sokcho – Sunrise from the pavilion
There are so many sunrise spots in the East Sea that it’s hard to pick just one or two, but how about Yeonggeumjeong in Sokcho? The pavilion on the rocks and the view of the sunrise from Dongmyeonghae Bridge, which leads to the pavilion, are unforgettable.
📍 43 Yeonggeumjeong-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
10. Hajodae, Gangwon-do – Between the sea, cliffs, and pine trees
Hajodae, located in Yangyang, is a rocky coast where the pristine East Sea, steep cliffs, and the greenery of pine trees towering over the cliffs come together. You can watch the sunrise from different spots such as Hajodae Pavilion, Hajodae Lighthouse, and Hajodae Beach, each with a different feeling.
📍 Hagwangjeong-ri, Hyeonbuk-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do