New Year Sunrise in Korea (2027): Jeongdongjin Sunrise, Haeundae and Sunrise Times

Watching the New Year sunrise in Korea is one of the country’s biggest winter traditions. On 1 January hundreds of thousands of people head to the east coast, Busan’s beaches and Seoul’s hills before dawn to see the first sun of the year (해돋이) and make a wish. If you’re in Korea over New Year 2027, here’s where to go, what time the sun rises, how to get to Jeongdongjin and Haeundae, and how to survive the cold and the crowds.

Last checked: 2 November 2026. Sunrise times below are the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute’s figures for 1 January 2026; 2027 times will be within about a minute and are published in late December. 2027 event details aren’t announced yet. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

First time in Korea? Start here: our step-by-step guide from landing to your first day.

What time is sunrise in Korea on New Year’s Day?

Korea’s sunrise time on 1 January is roughly 7:26 a.m. in the far east (Dokdo) to just after 7:45 a.m. in Seoul and the west. These are the official sea-level times for 1 January 2026; the 2027 times will be almost identical.

The sky starts to glow 20–30 minutes before the official time, and on the coast the sun often appears a few minutes late because of cloud on the horizon. Plan to be in place by 6:45 a.m.

Why is Jeongdongjin sunrise so famous?

The Jeongdongjin sunrise is Korea’s classic New Year scene because the town’s railway station sits right beside the beach, so you can step off a train and watch the sun come up over the East Sea. The name means “due east of the old palace in Seoul”. Last New Year, Gangneung city expected about 250,000 visitors for the sunrise period, set up event headquarters at Jeongdongjin and Gyeongpo Beach, and closed the clifftop Badabuchae-gil trail during sunrise hours for safety.

Is there a Jeongdongjin sunrise festival and how do I get there?

Gangneung usually runs a Jeongdongjin sunrise festival programme around 31 December and 1 January, with countdown events, crowd control and food stalls; the 2026–27 programme hadn’t been announced when we checked. To get there from Seoul, some KTX trains towards Donghae stop at Jeongdongjin, taking about 2 hours from Seoul or Cheongnyangni Station. The catch is timing: regular trains don’t arrive before sunrise, so most people either stay overnight in Gangneung or Jeongdongjin, or book a special overnight sunrise train or tour if Korail or tour operators offer one that year. Seoul–Gangneung KTX seats on 31 December sold out from early morning to late afternoon last year, so book as soon as tickets open (one month ahead on Korail).

• Stay over: book Gangneung or Jeongdongjin rooms early; big east-coast resorts were full last New Year.
• Driving: on 1 January 2026 the drive from Seoul to Gangneung was estimated at about 4 hours 10 minutes, and around 6 hours back in the afternoon.
• Alternative: Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung (sunrise about 7:40 a.m.) is larger and easier to reach from Gangneung Station by taxi.

Is Haeundae sunrise good on New Year’s Day?

Haeundae sunrise is the easiest big New Year sunrise to reach: the sun rises over the sea at about 7:32 a.m., the beach is a short walk from Haeundae Station on Busan Subway Line 2, and Busan is several degrees milder than Seoul. Busan usually holds a New Year sunrise event on the beach, and Gwangalli Beach next door offers the sunrise behind Gwangan Bridge. Stay near the beach so you can walk there in the dark — see where to stay in Busan and our Haeundae Beach guide.

Where are the best Seoul first sunrise spots?

The best Seoul first sunrise spots are low hills and river viewpoints facing east. You won’t see a sea sunrise, but you’ll see the sun come up over the city — at about 7:46 a.m., a few minutes earlier from a hilltop.

Hilltop events and early opening times are announced by each district in late December; on Naver, search “해맞이” with the district name. If you’re out for the bell ringing the night before, see Seoul New Year’s Eve.

Other famous sunrise spots in Korea

• Ganjeolgot (Ulsan) and Homigot (Pohang) — among the first places on the mainland to see the sun, about 7:31–7:32 a.m.
• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Jeju) — ‘Sunrise Peak’ itself, about 7:36 a.m.; see Jeju in December.
• Sokcho and Yangyang — east-coast beaches north of Gangneung, popular with surfers and families.

Tips for a New Year sunrise

• Dress for serious cold: last New Year, inland morning lows dropped below −10°C, with wind on the coast.
• Bring hand warmers and a hot drink; convenience stores near beaches stay open but queues are long.
• Check the weather the night before — cloud bands can hide the sunrise, especially on the west coast and Jeju.
• Book transport early: trains and expressways east are packed from 31 December to 1 January.
• Pack properly — see what to wear in Korea in winter.

Only 1 January is a public holiday in Korea — the big family break is Seollal. You can check every date on the 2027 South Korea holiday list.

FAQ

What time is the sunrise in Korea on 1 January?
Around 7:26 a.m. on Dokdo, 7:31–7:32 a.m. at Ganjeolgot, Homigot and Haeundae, 7:39 a.m. at Jeongdongjin and about 7:46 a.m. in Seoul (2026 figures).

Where is the best place to see the New Year sunrise in Korea?
Jeongdongjin and Gyeongpo in Gangneung are the classics; Haeundae is the easiest; Seongsan Ilchulbong on Jeju is the most scenic.

Can I do Jeongdongjin as a day trip from Seoul?
Not by regular train before sunrise; stay overnight on the coast or book a special sunrise train or tour.

What day is 1 January 2027?
A Friday, so many Koreans have a long weekend and the roads east are busy.

How cold is it at sunrise?
Often −5 to −10°C inland, a little milder on the coast but windy. Dress in layers.

Sources: Financial News – 2026 sunrise times (KASI) · Korea JoongAng Daily – east coast New Year crowds · Trip.com – Seoul to Jeongdongjin KTX times · Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
Photos: photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited in each caption