Chungcheongnam-do

▲ Dangjin Waemok Village

On January 1st, various sunrise festivals where people make their new years’ wishes take place throughout the country, but there is no better place to do so than here. You may also see the sunset that completes one year and the sunrise that starts out another simultaneously.

Let’s make our new years’ wishes for 2018 at Chungnam’s special sunrise and sunset sites. Then, shout out together at the rising sun.
“Happy new year!”

▶ Dangjin Waemok Village, enjoying sunrise and sunset in one place

Waemok Village is one of Chungcheongnam-do’s most famous sunrise and sunset viewpoints. The reason why people can see a sunrise even though the area is located on the West Coast is that its topography is elongated north and south. Here, a sunrise as well as sunset and moonset can be seen, making it an extremely unique, meaningful place. The points at which the sun rises and sets vary by season.

The setting sun can be seen from Bigyeong-do Island south of Daenanji-do and Sonanji-do Islands while the rising sun may be observed between Yongmuchi of Janggohang Port and Gukhwa-do Island.

The period during which the view is the most beautiful is between mid-October to mid-February during which the rising sun lifts itself over Nojeokbong Peak, also known as Namgeum Rock. If the sunrise of the East Sea maintains powerful masculine beauty, that of West Sea gives off a relatively soft feel.

The sunrise at Waemok Village creates a column of water that penetrates through the sea in a dark yellow color, exuding a small but lyrical touch. The time of the sunrise here is about 5 minutes later than that of the East Coast.

-Name of festival: Waemok Sunrise Festival
- Period: December 31st, 2017~January 1st, 2018
- To be held in: 26, Waemok-gil, Seongmun-myeon, Dangjin
- Contact: Dangjin City Hall (041-350-3114) / Waemok Village Tourism Cooperative (010-9316-5383)

▶ Sunrise at Seocheon Maryang Port only seen in winter

Seocheon Maryang Port is also famous as a place where the sunrise and sunset can be seen together.

Early morning, if you look towards the southeasterly direction from the dock, the sun rises over a hill and, in the evening, it sets in the southwesterly direction. At Dongbaekjeong of Maryang Port, the glow of the setting sun can be enjoyed while the sunset itself is beautifully seen from the dock.

In particular, the sunrise at this location adds further mystique as it could only be seen for around 50 days from the winter solstice in mid-December when the sun leans towards the south the most. There are many tourist attractions nearby including Chunjangdae Beach and Hongwon Port’s Busa Breakwater.

Looking at the enormous breakwater at its entrance and the sizes of fishing boats tied up along the dock, Hongwon Port gives off the feel of the region’s central port. The waters here are filled with marine products for which continuously fishermen come in flocks. Also, Geumgang Estuary Bank, known as a sanctuary for winter migratory birds, and Hansan Ramie Town offer great experiences for families with children.

-Name of festival: Seocheon Maryangpo Sunset & Sunrise Festival
- Period: December 31st, 2017~January 1st, 2018
- To be held in: 119-6, Seoin-ro, Seo-myeon, Seocheon-gun
- Contact: Seo-myeon Development Committee (010-5458-7327) / http://sunrise.invil.org
- Event programs: Enjoying the sunset, tourist singing contest, new year’s fireworks show, new year’s wish kite flying, etc.