A Majestic New Year at Chuam Beach,
Framed by the Sun and Dramatic Rock Formations

Located at the southern edge of Donghae City, Chuam Beach has long been known as “Haegumgang” and is considered one of the finest scenic spots in the Yeongdong region. It once gained fame as the background image for the opening line of the national anthem, establishing itself as a nationally renowned sunrise destination. As a result, countless visitors gather here every year to witness the first sunrise of the New Year. Chuam (錐岩) means “cone-shaped rock,” and true to its name, sharply rising rock formations emerging from the sea blend with the ocean to create a unique landscape.
Chotdaebawi (Candlestick Rock) is the centerpiece of Chuam Beach. Rising to a height of about 20 meters, this rock formation was shaped by the surrounding rough waves and strong winds. According to legend, a man took another wife, and his first wife, consumed by jealousy, threw herself into the sea, after which Chotdaebawi rose from the waters.
If you take a spot on the beach or at the observatory around sunrise, you can witness the awe-inspiring moment when the red sun slowly rises beyond the horizon and passes between Chotdaebawi. The observatory becomes packed with people eager to capture this scene on camera. For those who wish to enjoy the sunrise more quietly, the Brother Rocks as seen from Chuam Beach offer a good alternative. Rolling waves and ice-cream-like soft foam cover the white sand like a blanket, while beyond them the crimson sun ascends. The emotional moment of watching the sunrise fills the heart with hope for a new beginning and a sense of renewal.
The Chuam Chotdaebawi Suspension Bridge is another highlight not to be missed. Measuring 72 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width, this overwater pedestrian bridge offers the thrilling sensation of walking above the sea. In particular, the dynamic sight of waves crashing directly beneath your feet is impossible not to admire.
At the end of the suspension bridge lies Chuam Sculpture Park, where visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll among various artworks. Walking through the park, you will encounter Haeamjeong Pavilion, said to have been built by Sim Dong-ro, the progenitor of the Samcheok Sim clan during the Goryeo Dynasty. Both parking and admission at Chuam Beach are free of charge.

A Place Where Life Stories and the Wind Linger:
Hope in Mukhojin-dong

Since its opening in 1941, Mukho Port once flourished as the largest trading and fishing port on the East Coast. It played a vital role as an industrial port, transporting coal produced in Samcheok and iron ore from Yangyang, and there was a time when the night sea glittered like fireworks with the lights of squid fishing boats. The stories of the port people’s hardworking yet vibrant lives from those days are vividly preserved in Nongol Damgil of Mukhojin-dong, which overlooks Mukho Port at a glance. Nongol Damgil is not merely a village with pretty murals. It is a “talking mural village” where the joys, sorrows, and hopes of residents’ lives are painted on the walls. Walking along the narrow alleys that follow steep uphill paths, you can see vivid traces of local life, such as “a man working at the pollock drying yard” or tales from the past when “even the village dog carried a 10,000-won bill in its mouth.” Each mural contains the laughter and tears of those who lived by relying on Mukho Port, offering travelers warm comfort and empathy.
At the top of the village stands Mukho Lighthouse. Since it first lit up in 1968, it has served as a guiding beacon for vessels entering and leaving Mukho Port. The area around the lighthouse is so windy that it is known as the Windy Hill. Standing against the sharp sea breeze while gazing at the village with its colorful rooftops and the blue sea beyond the horizon is the highlight of a trip to Mukho-dong. Here, visitors can experience a different atmosphere from Chuam Beach, enjoying both the vitality of Mukho Port and the power of the sunrise.
The Mukho Lighthouse area has been developed into a Marine Culture Park and connects to Dojjaebi-gol Sky Valley. “Dojjaebi” is a local dialect for “dokkaebi” (goblin). On pitch-dark nights when rain fell, a bluish light would appear, resembling a goblin fire, which is how the area came to be called Dojjaebi-gol. Long ago, the thought of walking through this valley late at night would have sent chills down one’s spine, but today Dojjaebi-gol Sky Valley stands here. Its main facilities include the Skywalk observation deck and experiential attractions such as the Sky Cycle and the Giant Slide. In winter, however, the harsh weather can make these experiences challenging. Below Dojjaebi-gol is Haerang Observatory, which offers panoramic views of the sea. Stepping onto it, visitors are confronted with waves crashing violently beneath the transparent glass floor. Both facilities illuminate the night with colorful LED lights, creating a fantastical nightscape, and their popularity has earned them a place among the “Top 100 K-Culture Tourism Events.”

The Miracle of a Closed Mine:
Renewal at Mureung Byeolyucheonji

Mureung Byeolyucheonji in Donghae City was once the Mureung District 3 mine, a limestone quarry operated for more than 40 years. Formerly a hub of the industrialization era, the site underwent an innovative urban regeneration project by Donghae City after mining operations ended, and has been spectacularly reborn as a complex cultural and tourism space boasting an emerald-colored lake and extraordinary landscapes. By transforming the legacy of a closed mine into an asset for the future, this place offers travelers far more than a simple sightseeing destination.
First, the exhibition space on the first floor of the former crushing plant building preserves traces of the past, silently revealing the site’s unique origin. Alongside unusual equipment, the story of how the abandoned mine transformed into a tourist destination embracing a lake and lavender gardens delivers a distinctive sense of inspiration. Outdoors, there is much to see, including Dumir Observatory, which offers a panoramic view of the entire Mureung Byeolyucheonji from the highest vantage point, and a monster dump truck once used to transport massive loads of limestone. Notably, the truck is valued at an astonishing KRW 1.24 billion.
The greatest appeal of this place lies in its wide array of thrilling activity facilities. The Sky Glider, which feels as if you are flying through the sky, fills you with tension from the moment you step onto the boarding platform. As you lie face down and entrust your body to the wire, the dizzying height of the quarry cliffs and the lake below come fully into view. When the safety bar lowers and the countdown begins, an intense sense of anticipation takes over. Then, at the signal to start, you slice through the air at the speed of up to 80 km/h. Cries erupt in unison, and a biting cold wind hits your face. The flight ends amid an overwhelming rush of exhilaration mixed with lingering excitement and a wish that it would have been a little longer.
Before the afterglow of the Sky Glider fades, the next challenge awaits on a rugged off-road track. The moment you put on a helmet and board the luge, adrenaline surges. Dust billows up with every turn, and vibrations from the uneven ground course through your entire body. In addition, the Alpine Coaster, known for its exhilarating speed, and the roller coaster–style zipline that combines the thrills of a roller coaster and a zipline, are more than enough to send dopamine levels soaring. These experience facilities are all designed to take advantage of the unique terrain of the former quarry, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be found elsewhere.