People watch the sunrise at Jeongdongjin Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province. (Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization, Kim Ji-ho)

Koreans believe a wish made while watching the New Year’s Day sunrise will bring good luck in the year ahead.

Hence, on January 1, family and friends head to beaches, mountains and other wide-open spaces to enjoy the first rays of the New Year. It is a time when people look back on the past year and make hope-filled resolutions.

Here are some of famous spots for catching the sunrise in Korea.

Dokdo is the easternmost point of Korean territory, which means it is the very first part of the country to be lit by the sunrise. There are beautiful coastal walking paths that offer magnificent views. Plus, the island is surrounded by crystal clear water, so you can catch reflections of the sun on the East Sea.

But Dokdo is not easily accessible due to limited transportation and space. So the second-easternmost point of Korea, Ulleungdo Island, which is 87 kilometers away from Dokdo, can be an option for visitors.

Jejudo Island has some of the best places in Korea to view the sunrise. Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2007. The rim of its crater has always been a popular spot to watch the sunrise. In the 13^th century, monks carved praise for its scenic sunrise onto the Tripitaka Koreana during the time of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Hikers on Jejudo can also enjoy the first sunrise from the top of Hallasan Mountain, South Korea’s highest peak at 1,950 meters.

On the mainland, Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, is another popular sunrise spot. Every year, around 100,000 people visit Jeongdongjin Beach on January 1 and wish for a bright future while gazing at the rising sun. It became a hot spot after appearing in the SBS hit drama “Hourglass” (1995). This year, the “sunrise train” that departs from Seoul and arrives at Jeongdongjin Station just before dawn, resumed its service after a hiatus of two years.

Besides Jeongdongjin, Gyeongpo Beach is another spot in Gangneung where people celebrate and watch the first sunrise of the New Year. Locals and tourists can participate in an array of cultural events.

Sunrise at Homigot, located in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (Courtesy of gettyimagesbank)

Ganjeolgot, a coastal park in Ulsan, is a popular sunrise-watching spot. It is possible to catch the sunrise near an old lighthouse constructed in 1920 and a nearby hill.

Homigot in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, is well known for the gigantic sculpture “Sangsaeng’s Hands” (Hands of Coexistence). It has one hand rising from the earth and about 100 meters away, another hand rising from the seawater off the beach. The palm of the hand in the ocean looks as if it is trying to grasp the rising sun. The iconic sculpture, which conveys a message of coexistence, is a popular photo spot. The City of Pohang has unfortunately canceled the official Homigot Sunrise Festival to protect against the spread of COVID-19, but people can still visit the spot to enjoy the sunrise.

For those who wish to see the sunrise without venturing out of Seoul, the base of N Seoul Tower offers a spectacular view. The nearby octagonal pavilion atop Namsan Mountain is another prime spot to view the first sunrise of the year.

The sunrise from Seoul’s Namsan Mountain being captured in a photo