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Discover Jeju Island's breathtaking east coast! This guide shares tips for catching the stunning sunrise at Gwangchigi Beach and Seongsan Ilchulbong, including seasonal times and photo advice.
Recommended Jeju Island Travel Course
Hello, everyone!
I'm Merci,
your emotional travel editor, who visits Jeju Island every autumn.
Today, I'm bringing you a review of my fantastic sunrise experience at Gwangchigi Beach,
after staying near Seongsan Ilchulbong!
(You can find accommodation details in the link at the end of the post)
The most famous sunrise spots on Jeju Island:
Gwangchigi Beach & Seongsan Ilchulbong
Especially during the winter to early spring season, Seongsan's sunrise times shift quite early. So,
for those planning a photo shoot while enjoying the sunrise,
it's crucial to know the exact time to capture the perfect shot.
I'll be sharing a summary of Gwangchigi Beach's sunrise times by season,
along with the photos I took and my personal review!
1. Jeju Gwangchigi Beach Sunrise Times Summary
📍 Gwangchigi Beach
224-33 Goseong-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Jeju Gwangchigi Beach sunrise times,
they vary like this depending on the season!
(Please double-check the exact times before your visit)
● January-February: 7:25 AM - 7:35 AM
● March-April: 6:45 AM - 7:10 AM
● May-June: 5:20 AM - 5:40 AM
● July-August: 5:20 AM - 5:40 AM
● September-October: 6:00 AM - 6:20 AM
● November-December: 7:00 AM - 7:20 AM
I checked the sunrise time for Seongsanpo on November 25th this year,
and it was 7:12 AM.
📌 Sunrise Viewing Tip!
If you want to truly experience the sunrise,
I recommend arriving at least 20-30 minutes before the scheduled sunrise time.
That's when the sky paints itself in the most beautiful colors!
For reference, the photo above was taken last year on October 24th
at 6:33 AM.
2. Jeju Seongsan Sunrise Spot: Gwangchigi Beach
There are three main sunrise spots in Jeju Seongsan:
the peak of Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seongsanpo, and Gwangchigi Beach.
Among them, many travelers choose Gwangchigi Beach for one simple reason:
the scenery with Seongsan Ilchulbong in the background is simply the most stunning~♡
Climbing to the peak of Seongsan Ilchulbong is tough enough,
but once you're up there, all you really see is the sea, right? Haha!
Gwangchigi Beach is a wide and open beach,
with the perfect combination of rocks, waves, and sunlight,
and thanks to its refreshing, unobstructed composition,
it's the ultimate spot to capture amazing photos and videos.
It's easily accessible by car,
and there's plenty of parking available!
If you want a pristine view of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak,
there's no better place than Gwangchigi Beach.
Undeniably a top sunrise spot on Jeju's coast!
Premium Tip for Jeju Seongsan Sunrise!
Gwangchigi Beach's Tides
If you're planning to catch the sunrise here,
make sure to check the 'low tide (ebb tide) schedule' before you go!
The moss-covered rocks revealed at low tide
create an almost surreal, lawn-like effect over the water,
making your photos incredibly unique and exotic!
I had always only seen it in pictures,
but witnessing it in person that day was truly magical.
3. My Gwangchigi Beach Sunrise Experience
On the day I visited, the sky was perfectly clear from dawn,
and as a reddish glow slowly started to rise behind Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak,
the moment the sun gracefully emerged above the horizon,
the entire Gwangchigi Beach was bathed in a glorious golden light,
unveiling an absolutely breathtaking spectacle.
The sunlight reflecting off the waves was particularly stunning,
and I couldn't stop snapping photos!
By the way, the second photo above was taken on October 24th last year,
at 6:51 AM.
Since our pension was right in front of Gwangchigi Beach,
we literally woke up, got dressed in a flash,
and headed straight out to witness the sunrise.
When we first stepped outside, there weren't many people around,
but as we walked closer to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak,
more and more people gathered to catch the sunrise – it was quite a sight! Haha.
The timing of the tide was also perfect, allowing us to enjoy an even more spectacular
Seongsan sunrise.
If you visit Gwangchigi Beach during low tide,
you might even spot some adorable little sea snails (godoong) like these!
📌 Here's an extra tip!
Gwangchigi Beach, a famous sunrise spot on Jeju's coast,
can get quite windy,
so a windbreaker jacket is an absolute must-have during the autumn and winter seasons!
Even though it was late October when I visited, it was quite chilly,
so I even borrowed my mom's scarf to wrap around my neck, haha!
🚗 Gwangchigi Beach Parking & Route Tips
You can use the public parking lots near the beach.
If they're full, you can use the Seongsanpo JC Park parking lot.
It's only a 3-5 minute drive from Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak,
so I highly recommend combining it with a visit to Seongsan Ilchulbong for a complete sunrise experience!
Many nearby cafes, including Starbucks, open early in the morning,
often from around 7-8 AM,
making them perfect for grabbing a warm cup of coffee after you've enjoyed the sunrise!
Since our pension was just a minute's walk from the beach,
we went straight back to our room, sipped on some warm coffee,
and warmed ourselves up.
For those looking for a spectacular ocean view for a Jeju sunrise spot,
you absolutely must visit Gwangchigi Beach!
If you're ringing in the upcoming New Year in Jeju,
a Jeju sunrise spot is truly unmissable.
Watch the majestic rising sun,
and perhaps make some new resolutions for the year ahead!
And speaking of Seongsan, don't miss my review of
an ocean-view accommodation right in front of Gwangchigi Beach,
Horang Horang Pension, where I stayed for a night!
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Gwangchigi Beach offers the most beautiful sunrise scenery with Seongsan Ilchulbong in the background. While only the sea is visible from the peak of Seongsan Ilchulbong, Gwangchigi Beach allows you to capture a clear shot of Seongsan Ilchulbong itself.
In January and February, the sunrise time at Gwangchigi Beach, Jeju, is between 7:25 AM and 7:35 AM. It's advisable to reconfirm the exact time before your visit.
To take unique sunrise photos at Gwangchigi Beach, you should check the low tide times. The moss-covered rocks exposed during low tide create a mysterious, lawn-like effect on the sea, allowing for stunning photos.
Gwangchigi Beach can be quite windy, so it's essential to bring a windbreaker jacket during the autumn and winter seasons. Also, arriving 20-30 minutes before the scheduled sunrise time is recommended to enjoy the moment the sky begins to change colors.
Public parking is available near Gwangchigi Beach, and if it's full, you can use the Seongsanpo JC Park parking lot. Since it's only a 3-5 minute drive from Seongsan Ilchulbong, it's recommended to visit both as part of your sunrise itinerary.
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in Jeju~🌅 From the moment the dawn sky brightens until the sun rises, it's even more breathtaking and beautiful in person. If you're planning to catch a sunrise in Jeju, you absolutely must visit! See the full review of Jeju's sunrise experience on the blog~👉 #JejuTravel #JejuTravelCourse #JejuEastTravelCourse #JejuSunrise #JejuSunriseSpot #GwangchigiBeach #SeongsanIlchulbong #JejuNewYearSunriseSpot #JejuHotspot #JejuSea #JejuSeongsanSunrise #AutumnTravelDestination #NewYearSunriseSpot #NewYearSunriseDestination #NewYearSunriseTrip" style="display: block; width: 100%; max-height: 320px; object-fit: cover;" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />Sunrise over Seongsan Ilchulbong captured from in Jeju~🌅 From the moment the dawn sky brightens until the sun rises, it's even more breathtaking and beautiful in person. If you're planning to catch a sunrise in Jeju, you absolutely must visit! See the full review of Jeju's sunrise experience on the blog~👉 #JejuTravel #JejuTravelCourse #JejuEastTravelCourse #JejuSunrise #JejuSunriseSpot #GwangchigiBeach #SeongsanIlchulbong #JejuNewYearSunriseSpot #JejuHotspot #JejuSea #JejuSeongsanSunrise #AutumnTravelDestination #NewYearSunriseSpot #NewYearSunriseDestination #NewYearSunriseTrip
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