Region: Nationwide (Busan, Jeju, Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, Ulsan) | Theme: New Year / Sunrise / Winter | Ideal Trip Length: 1-day (per location) or overnight
New Year's sunrise? Koreans don't mess around. Each year, crowds flood the east coast overnight, bundled up and bleary-eyed, all chasing that golden first light of January 1st. Think of it as a fresh-start ritual with seriously good photo ops. This guide breaks down five top spots—with transport tips, crowd hacks, and timing so you can join in.
Haeundae Beach (해운대)
Busan's most famous shoreline draws the biggest New Year crowds in the country—over 1 million visitors in recent years. The reason is simple: no car needed, no mountain to climb, and the city's NYE countdown festival happens right on the sand.
The beach faces east, giving a clear sightline to the horizon. Fireworks light up at midnight, food stalls line Gunam-ro, and the atmosphere stays electric until dawn. For travelers already in Busan or arriving by KTX, this is the most accessible option.
2026 Sunrise Time: Approximately 7:32 AM
Time Needed: 2-3 hours (including countdown events)
Getting There: Haeundae Station (Metro Line 2), Exit 5 → 10-min walk to beach
Cost: Free
The tradeoff: extreme crowds. Expect shoulder-to-shoulder density near the main stage.
💡 Tip: For a slightly calmer view, head toward Dalmaji Hill or the eastern end of the beach.
📍 264 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
🕐 Open 24 hours (festival events start ~11 PM on Dec 31)
Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉)
UNESCO World Heritage status and a dramatic volcanic crater rising from the sea—Seongsan Ilchulbong remains Jeju's most photographed sunrise point. The 182m peak requires a 20-25 minute climb, steep in sections, but the reward is a 360° view as light breaks over the ocean.
Winter mornings here feel raw. Wind cuts across the crater rim, and temperatures often dip below freezing. But when the sky clears, the colors shift from deep blue to orange to gold in a sequence that explains why this spot appears in nearly every Korean travel brochure.
2026 Sunrise Time: Approximately 7:36 AM
Time Needed: 1.5-2 hours (including hike)
Getting There: From Jeju City, 60-min drive or bus #701 (runs limited schedule on Jan 1)
Cost: ₩2,000 (~$1.50) — discounted or free on Jan 1 some years (check official site)
📍 284-12 Ilchul-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
🕐 Gates open 4:00 AM on January 1 (typical hours: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Photo Angle: The crater rim trail on the left side gives the classic shot—sun rising directly behind the eastern ridge. Arrive early to secure a spot.
Jeongdongjin (정동진)
This small coastal town built its entire identity around sunrise. Jeongdongjin Station sits closer to the sea than any other train station in Korea—step off the platform, and the beach is meters away. The symbolism writes itself.
Korail runs special overnight "Sunrise Trains" (해돋이열차) from Seoul's Cheongnyangni Station, arriving just before dawn. Passengers bundle in blankets, coffee in hand, watching the sky lighten through frosted windows. At the beach, a giant hourglass sculpture rotates as the new year begins—each turn marking 365 days.
2026 Sunrise Time: Approximately 7:39 AM
Time Needed: 2-3 hours at the beach; full overnight if taking the train
Getting There: Sunrise Train from Seoul (~5 hours) or KTX to Gangneung + taxi (20 min)
Cost: Train tickets ₩25,000-45,000 depending on seat class; beach access free
📍 50 Heongye-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
🕐 Beach open 24 hours; Sunrise Train departs Dec 31 ~11 PM (book early—sells out fast)
Booking note: Sunrise Train tickets release in early December via Korail. They disappear within hours. Set a reminder.
Homigot (호미곶)
The "Hand of Harmony" sculpture makes Homigot instantly recognizable. Two bronze hands—one rising from the land, one from the sea—reach toward each other as the sun climbs between them. It's the shot that fills Korean social media every January 1st.
Homigot sits on the easternmost point of the Korean peninsula's Tiger-shaped landmass (the "tail" of the tiger, hence the name). The National Lighthouse Museum nearby adds context for early arrivals, and the Homigot Sunrise Festival includes performances, food vendors, and a ceremonial countdown.
2026 Sunrise Time: Approximately 7:32 AM
Time Needed: 1.5-2 hours
Getting There: From Pohang Station, 40-min taxi or shuttle bus (festival period only)
Cost: Free
📍 136 Haemaji-ro, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk
🕐 Open 24 hours; festival activities start ~6:00 AM
Photo Angle: Position yourself on the beach so both hands frame the rising sun. The land-side hand works as foreground; the sea-side hand catches direct light first.
Ganjeolgot (간절곶)
Mainland Korea's first sunrise—that's the claim. Ganjeolgot beats other east coast points by roughly one minute, with light touching the cape at approximately 7:31 AM. For sunrise purists, those 60 seconds matter.
The cape itself is quieter than Haeundae or Homigot. A red "wish mailbox" stands near the lighthouse, where visitors drop letters to their future selves. The surrounding area stays relatively undeveloped—no major festival stage, no fireworks—which appeals to those who prefer the sunrise without the spectacle.
2026 Sunrise Time: Approximately 7:31 AM (first on mainland)
Time Needed: 1-1.5 hours
Getting There: From Ulsan Station, 50-min taxi; limited bus options
Cost: Free
📍 918-2 Ganjeolgot-ro, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
🕐 Open 24 hours
Practical note: Public transport to Ganjeolgot is sparse, especially on January 1st. Rental car or pre-booked taxi recommended.
Suggested Itinerary: Seoul to East Coast Overnight
For travelers based in Seoul, the Gangneung corridor (Jeongdongjin) makes the most practical overnight trip:
Dec 31
- 10:30 PM — Depart Cheongnyangni Station on Sunrise Train
- 11:59 PM — Countdown on the train; snacks and drinks available onboard
Jan 1
- ~4:30 AM — Arrive Jeongdongjin Station
- 5:00-7:30 AM — Warm up at nearby cafes; explore Hourglass Park
- 7:39 AM — Sunrise at the beach
- 8:30 AM — Breakfast at Jeongdongjin's famous "sunbae" (순대) restaurants or seafood spots
- 10:00 AM — Optional: visit Jeongdongjin Rail Bike or Haslla Art World
- 12:00 PM — KTX from Gangneung back to Seoul (2 hours)
Alternative for Busan-based travelers: Take the late-night subway to Haeundae, join the beach countdown, watch the sunrise, then grab haejang-guk (hangover soup) in the morning. No overnight travel required.
Practical Tips
Dress in layers. Coastal wind makes -5°C feel like -15°C. Thermal base layers, windproof outer jacket, hand warmers.
Arrive earlier than you think. Prime spots fill up 1-2 hours before sunrise. For Seongsan Ilchulbong, factor in the hike time.
Check the weather forecast. Overcast skies mean no visible sunrise. Korean Meteorological Administration (weather.go.kr) posts regional cloud cover predictions.
Book transport in advance. Sunrise Train tickets, intercity buses, and taxis surge on December 31st. Reserve at least two weeks ahead.
Bring a portable charger. Cold drains phone batteries fast. You'll want camera power for the actual moment.
Download Naver Maps. Google Maps works poorly in Korea for transit directions. Naver shows real-time bus arrivals and walking routes.