Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival (정동진 해맞이 축제)

10.9Km 2025-11-25

Jeongdongjin2-ri, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-640-5135

Many people come to celebrate a fresh start at the Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival on the eve of one year and the first day of the New Year at Sandglass Park. The sandglass at the park has a diameter of 8.06 meters, a x_width of 3.2 meters, a weight of 40 tons, and holds 8 tons of sand, making it one of the biggest sandglasses in the world. It takes a whole year for sand to trickle to the bottom and then the sandglass restarts again on New Year’s Day each year at midnight.

Festival events include a fireworks display, the turning of the sandglass to start another year, and performances by various artists.

Jung-dong castle (정동캐슬)

11.4Km 2024-12-19

1455 , Yulgok-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

The Jeongdong Castle stands above Jeongdongjin beach, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, and its rooms have a beautiful view of the sunrise over the East Sea. From the hotel it’s possible see the coastline all the way from Jeongdongjin to the Sun Cruise resort 4 kilometres away. A spacious barbecue area near the beach is available for residents’ parties; while nearby attractions include Haslla Art World, Gangneung Pine Hyang Arboretum, and Deungmyeong Beach.

Daegwallyeong National Recreational Forest (국립 대관령자연휴양림)

11.8Km 2022-06-20

133, Sampoam-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Daegwallyeong National Recreational Forest divides Gangwon Province from east to west and is known for its famous pine tree forests. It was designated as a suitable resting place to enjoy as it’s harmoniously situated in a valley surrounded by lush vegetation. Beautiful view of Gangneung and the East Sea can be seen day and night.

Yeongokhaebyeon Beach (Yeongok Beach) (연곡해변(연곡해수욕장))

12.1Km 2023-12-27

1282, Haean-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Situated in Yeongok-myeon, Dongdeok-ri, Yeongokhaebyeon Beach has a spacious sandy shore that spans 56,000 ㎡ with a length of 700 meters. Backed by a lush pine forest, this beach is ideal for camping. Fishing lovers can enjoy catching sweetfish at Yeongokcheon Stream flowing from the Sogeumgang River; there are a variety of restaurants offering delicious Korean food along the stream as well. Dongdeok-ri used to be home to a railway station and a traditional market. Trading ships—moving between the Hamgyeong and Gyeongsang areas—used to populate the beach. The beach and its surrounding attractions are great for both hiking and swimming.

Jeongdongjinhaebyeon Beach (정동진해변)

14.0Km 2024-12-26

17 Jeongdongyeok-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Jeongdongjinhaebyeon Beach is a nice, sandy beach with three major swimming spots: in front of Jeongdongjin Station, by Sandglass Park, and by the Jeongdongjin Breakwater. The spots near the railway station and by the park are more popular because they are spacious and easy to reach. The numerous rocks in front of Jeongdongjin Station are home to shellfish, mussels, sea urchins, and edible seaweed.

Jeondongjin Station is known to be one of the stations closest to the ocean in the world. It is also a well-known sunrise spot, attracting crowds of sunrise spectators. The Jeongdongjin Sunrise Tourist Train has become a crowd favorite as well, ever since its premiere run in 1997.

Jeongdongjin Railbike (정동진 레일바이크)

14.0Km 2021-06-28

17, Jeongdongyeok-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Jeongdongjin Railbike is one of the must-try leisure activities in Gangwon-do. Departing from Jeongdongjin Station, the railbike brings the cool sea breeze and offers an unobstructed view of the ocean while it runs its course.

Sandglass Park (모래시계공원)

14.6Km 2024-12-23

990-1 Heonhwa-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Sandglass Park is surrounded by the East Sea, mountains and Jeongdongjin 2-ri Village. Sandglass Park has pine trees, benches facing the sea, and access to Jeongdongjin Beach. At the center of the park is a giant sandglass that is set to measure one year. Sandglass Park was established in 1999 by the city of Gangneung and Samsung Electronics Co. to commemorate the upcoming millennium. Part of this commemoration was the building of the giant sandglass at the park. The sandglass has a diameter of 8.06 meters, x_width of 3.2 meters, weight of 40 tons and holds 8 tons of sand, making it one of the biggest sandglasses in the world. It takes a whole year for sand to trickle to the bottom and then the sandglass restarts again on New Year’s Day each year at midnight.

HOTEL TOPSVILLE (호텔탑스빌)

14.6Km 2024-12-19

1007-34 , Heonhwa-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Hotel Topsville in Jeongdongjin, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, is a comfortable hotel just a 2-minute walk from the beach. All rooms give views of the beautiful East Sea by day, while at night there’s the spectacular sight of massed squid fishing boat lights. Breakfast is provided, and residents can enjoy a walk in the pine forest at the back of the hotel. Transport access is good, as the national coast road and the railway line are both adjacent. Nearby attractions include the Jeongdonjin rail bike, the Time Museum and Sandglass Park.

Jumunjin Breakwater (주문진 방파제)

14.7Km 2023-07-27

1609 , Haean-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Jumunjin Breakwater was made famous as the filming site of the show “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016).” Serving as the backdrop of the two leads’ fateful first meeting, the breakwater still retains its beautiful scenery. Many visitors recreate the scene from their favorite show here.
The breakwater itself is divided into the east and the west parts. The eastern breakwater is 1 kilometer, while the western breakwater is 200 meters long. One can fish for plaice from spring to September, while spotty belly greenling, spipefish, and rockfish can be found in October. From December to March, grey mullet and big-scaled redfin become the main species caught here. The best season to fish here is between October and March.

DAVINCHI MOTEL (다빈치모텔)

15.2Km 2024-12-19

920-40 , Heonhwa-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Davinci Motel stands atop Sun Cruise Hill in Jeongdongjin, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, so residents can enjoy fine views of the blue East Sea from the comfort of their room - while the top floor observatory room offers a panorama of the entire Jeongdongjin coastline. Jeongdongjin Beach is just a 15-minute walk away, and the motel provides an outdoor barbecue area for family and small group parties.

Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival (정동진 해맞이 축제) - Area information - Korea travel information