Haenam sunset festival

From Haenam, a county located in South Jeolla Province at the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula, to Gangneung, Gangwon Province, a popular year-round travel spot facing the East Sea, desirable travel destinations are set to entertain those who wish to bid farewell to 2023 while watching the last sunset of the year on Sunday.

Haenam’s Ttangkkeut Village, visited by countless travelers hoping to watch the last sunset or catch a glimpse of the first sunrise of the year, will hold its annual year-end festival for the first time in four years.

The county’s sunset and sunrise festival was put on hold after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic amid strict social distancing measures.

The event will include a concert, featuring various singers including Park Wan-kyu, J-Cera, Haenam-grown vocalist An Se-kwon and more. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

While an EDM dance party and a fireworks show are planned to entertain visitors, popular winter delicacies like roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes and white garaetteok -- a stick of long rice cake symbolizing good health and long life -- will be offered at the venue as well.

Visitors can also enjoy traditional Korean games and write their New Year’s wishes for 2024.

The county will install an extra-large dome tent to protect holidaymakers from any unexpected changes in the weather.

Sunset in Haenam is expected to take place at 5:33 p.m. on Sunday.

Geumosan panoramas

Hadong, a small county some 300 kilometers south of Seoul in South Gyeongsang Province, is a popular year-end destination for its cable car to the top of Geumosan. Visitors, including seniors and children, can take in panoramic views of the South Sea and its archipelagoes from the mountaintop.

The Hadong Cable Car will extend its operating hours by 90 minutes, allowing the visitors to enjoy the vibrant sunset from Geumosan.

The Hadong Cable Car will operate until 6:30 p.m. to transport all visitors back down the mountain after the sunset. Hadong's sunset time is expected at 5:26 p.m.

East Sea spots

Coastal areas of Gangwon Province facing the East Sea are widely celebrated for their ideal spots for watching the sunset and sunrise, including the Gyeongpodae area and Jeongdongjin Beach in Gangneung, 168 kilometers east of Seoul.

Gyeongpo Beach beckons visitors with a special New Year’s wish zone, allowing the visitors to post their wishes, hopes and dreams at the special tunnels and trees.

After watching the rich colors of the sky in Gangneung, visitors can enjoy the last day of the year with street performances, busking, an EDM party and fireworks with the pitch-black night sea as a stunning backdrop.

Jeongdongjin’s Morae Sigye Park is also set to entertain visitors with unique ceremonies and concerts.

A giant hourglass, located at the center of the park, will be turned over to celebrate the year-end in front of spectators. The ceremony will feature fireworks as well.

The events are scheduled to be held at 8 p.m. at Gyeongpo Beach and Jeongdongjin’s Morae Sigye Park.