-
Start
-
Sogongwon
-
Seorak Mountain
-
Sinhungsa
-
Heundeulbawi
-
Ulsanbawi
-
Sunrise Park
-
Naksansa-1
-
Naksansa-2
-
Naksansa-3
-
Baked Fish
-
Jungang Market
-
Tourist Hotel
-
Gaetbae(ferry) Quay
-
Abai Village
-
Sindasin Restaurant
-
Lighthouse Observatory
-
ports
-
Beach
-
Cheongchoho Lake
-
Finish
Seorak Sunrise Park
The biggest advantage of Sokcho-si in Gangwon-do is that we can see beautiful east sea along with Seorak Mountain, one of 3 most beautiful mountains in Korea.
So as soon as we climbed down the mountain, we went to Seorak Sunrise Park, the closest beach to the mountain. Those who have visited Mt. Seorak would've seen this park at least once.
It's because it is located at three-way intersection of entrance to Seorak Mountain, which is also the starting point of the only way to Seorak Mountain continuing from Route 7, the famous sea route that connects Goseong and Busan.
It was originally called Naemulchi and strangely enough, the beach is covered with gravels and stones whereas most of eastern coasts consist of seashore cliffs or sands.
I honestly liked autumn atmosphere on Mt. Seorak but when I look at the east sea spreading all over the place, I felt like the air was so cool that it clearned up my lungs.
Sunrise Park has its geographical advantage that it's easily accessible and convenient as well as it is a great resting place since there are a few sculptures within the park.
Among a few sculptures, the most popular one is not in the park, it is visible on the beach rock that you have to climb down the park that is called Mermaid Lovers Statue. This one also has a story behind it. This place, as you can assume from its name, used to be prone to floods, and one day a man who promised to get married to a woman did not come back from wind and waves in 1977 the woman missed him so much that she also died after him and people built this lovers statue hoping that at least their spirits could stay together.
This park got famous thanks to the legend. Then other symbolic objects started to appear and there's even a monument in one corner that tells us it has a time capsule of Sokcho-si buried.
You might feel something is missing if there's only this park. Behind the Sunrise Park, there's Seorak Port, a small port in breakwaters, where you can see busy life of fishermen. Plus you could also try seafoods like raw fish or baked fish.
If you walk along the sea water, you'll see so many fish boats lining up along the coastline and you'll get a vague view of magnificent Mt. Seorak over the bows, so I say this is probably the best port in the eastern coast of Korea.
Most ports smell of fish and kinda messy but this place was quite clean that all I could see was fish as big as my arm.
The outermost breakwater that protects the port had a small red lighthouse. The sunrise view would be amazing from there. Maybe that's how the park was named. Although it was strange to see a sculpture of ski jumper formed there to wish for Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Seorak Port from the lighthouse was calm and beautiful. I felt like everything stopped except for a few fishermen who were coming and going to the ships that were calmly rocking.
Oh?? I don't know what happened but a few dozens, more like hundreds of seagulls showed up and covered the sky out of the blue and they did not seem like seagulls, more like a flock of crows.
After they hovered around the port and disappeared, there were only a few seagulls left sitting on streetlamps and watching the sea. Three musketeers that ruined our peaceful mood.
When we looked closer to them, I somehow hated them. So I ran after them and jumped to scared them!!! Haha~ they must've been watching us as well. Their peaceful rest was ruined and ran away in a panic.
Well, I don't know why but I felt proud. Revenge is sweet, eye for an eye~~!! Well, although I had a little battle with seagulls, we looked everywhere in Seorak Sunrise Park.
It's a small park but it has a story, ocean view and Seorak Mountain from afar, so many things for a short walk I must say. Plus there were so many things to eat at the port so you could stop by and have a cup of coffee while enjoying the view. If you're nearby, don't forget to come here and take a little piece of happiness.
Address : 178-9, Daepo-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Telephone : 033-636-3736
Admission Fee : Fee
