The name Jeongdongjin means “the port due east” — of Gwanghwamun in Seoul. Jeongdongjin Station sits right on the beach and is often called one of the closest train stations to the sea anywhere. It became a nationwide sunrise destination after appearing in the hit 1990s TV drama Sandglass.
How to enjoy it
- Sunrise — watch the sun come up over the East Sea from the beach in front of the station. New Year’s Day is especially crowded.
- Badabuchae-gil — a coastal walkway along the cliffs near Jeongdongjin, right above the crashing waves.
Good to know
Taking an overnight train or an early bus to catch the sunrise has long been a Korean travel ritual. The coastal walkway may close when the waves are high.