Jeongdongjin is a coastal village in Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, on Korea's east coast; its name means it lies "due east" of Gwanghwamun in old Seoul. Home to Jeongdongjin Station, the railway station closest to the sea (Guinness-listed), and a wide sandy beach, it is one of Korea's most famous sunrise spots and rose to fame as a filming location for the 1995 drama "Sandglass." Every January 1st, tens of thousands gather here to watch the first sunrise of the new year.
Jeongdongjin Station: recognized by Guinness as the station closest to the sea; step off the train and the beach and sea are right there
Jeongdongjin Beach: a broad sandy beach famed for East Sea sunrises and treated as a New Year's first-sunrise mecca
Sun Cruise Resort: a hotel built like a giant cruise ship perched on a clifftop, with a sculpture park and observatory and sweeping ocean views
Sandglass (Hourglass) Park and the Time Museum: home to the world's largest hourglass (about 8 m across, Guinness-listed) and exhibits themed on "time"
Haslla Art World and Heonhwa-ro: a hilltop art museum facing the sea and a coastal road that hugs the water, great for a scenic drive or walk
Good to know
SeasonWinter/New Year sunrise is roughly 7:30-7:40 a.m. and shifts each year; check the exact sunrise time for your date and arrive at least 1-2 hours early.
SafetyOn January 1 and over the year-end holidays, tens of thousands crowd the beach and roads. Follow safety marshals and watch for crushing in dense areas.
SafetyThe East Sea can produce sudden high swell waves in winter; keep back from breakwaters and the waterline and watch children and pets.
RulesBecause the station is a tourist site, if you don't hold a train ticket you must buy a commemorative platform ticket (about ₩1,000, verify latest) to enter the platform area.
RulesTrains between Gangneung and Jeongdongjin (Mugunghwa, Nuriro, KTX-Eum, etc.) are infrequent; check the current Korail timetable in advance or you may wait a long time.
MannersPopular photo spots (the station, tracks, sculptures) get very crowded, so keep photo stops brief and never step onto the rails or past control lines.
Practical info
From Gangneung Station about 15-25 min by train (few departures; check Korail) or roughly ₩15,000-20,000 by taxi. Parking is severe on New Year's, so public transport is easier. Verify admission fees and hours for sites like the Time Museum before visiting.
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