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The sun rises over Gangneung, one of the many locations hosting Sunrise Festivals this year on Jan. 1. (Korea Tourism Organization) |
A much-loved tradition in Korea for many is to stay up until dawn to see the first sunrise of the year. Most head to the east coast to make sure they catch the sunrise before anyone else.
A number of popular beachside towns hold special New Year’s countdowns and sunrise festivals every year, offering cultural performances, concerts and fireworks to entertain guests at night before greeting the sun in the morning.
Ulsan will have its Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival at Ganjeolgot lighthouse that kicks off at sunset on New Year’s Eve. Other festivals on the east coast include the Homigot Sunrise Festival at Homigot Sunrise Plaza in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province; the Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival at Hourglass District Park at Jeongdongjin Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon Province; and the Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung.
There are some festivals in other parts of the country. At Seo-myeon in South Chungcheong Province, you can catch the Maryang-ri Sunset and Sunrise Festival at Maryang Port, which is the best place in the west to view the phenomenon of the sun rising from the southeast for 60 days before and after Dec. 22. Meanwhile, those on Jeju Island can enjoy the he Seongsan Sunrise Festival in the Ilchulbong Peak area.
For more information on these festivals, visit the Korea Tourism Organization website at english.visitkorea.or.kr and search for 2011-2012 Winter Festivals.
(
kalkae@heraldcorp.com)
