Korea National Park Service (Chairman Bohwan Park) created a list of the top 10 best and safest places in National Parks around the country to watch the sun rise and set, with 7 of them for sunrise and 3 for sunset. The service also added these places offer family-friendly spots to celebrate a New Year’s Day and make wishes. 
 

The 7 sunrise spots picked by KNPS include Nogodan Peak in Jirisan National Park; Choyangdo Island in Hallyeohaesang National Park; Tohamsan Peak in Gyeongju National Park; Simwon Temple and its surrounding areas in Gayasan National Park; Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan National Park; Gureum Observatory on Dulle-gil (a hiking trail) in Bukhansan National Park; and the 2^nd Yeonhwabong Shelter in Sobaeksan National Park.
 

The 3 sunset spots listed include Ggotji beach in Taeanhaean National Park; Dalgibong peak in Byeonsanbando National Park; and Dala Park in Hallyeohaesang National Park. These tourist destinations are located in relatively low-lying area, providing best spots to see the sun go up and down safely, compared to other destinations, including some of the most popular and highest peak in each National Park across the nation, namely Cheonwangbong peak in Jirisan National Park, Daecheonbong peak in Seoarksan National Park and Baekundae Peak in Bukhansan National Park.
 
It is about an hour and a half-walk or 3.4 kilometers from Seongsamjae Pass to Jirisan Nogodan Peak. The gentle slope makes access to the peak easier for everyone, making it suitable for a family getaway. Nogodan Peak is famous for Nogodan Sea of Clouds, one of the 10 best scenic views in Jirisan Mountain, and the sunset that paints Seomjin River red is truly magnificent.
 

The 2^nd Yeonhwabong Shelter in Sobaeksan National Park, located at 1,357 meters above the sea level, has recently made its way into the list of the best sunrise places. Located on a gentle slope, the shelter is only 5.2 kilometers away from the Juknyeong Visitor Information Center at the entry, which is accessible in 2 hours hiking distance.
 

The shelter is laid out with its Visitor Information Center and observatory, making it a perfect place to view the sun rise. Due to its popularity, access to the shelter is limited and requires reservation at the Service’s online reservation system at reservatioin.knps.or.kr.
 

Choyangdo Island in Hallyeohaesang National Park is an ideal place to get beautiful sunrises beyond the horizon at the South Sea. Gureum Observatory on Dulle-gil in Bukhansan National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations, located within the Seoul Metropolitan area.
 

The observatory lies in the middle between Hwagye Temple and Bballagegol valley, each of which is located at each end of the Dulle-gil trail, and it only takes about 15 minutes on foot to get to the observatory from either place. The premise is quite small, so KNPS recommends getting there early if you want to find perfect spots to capture the sun rising. Other destinations that top the list, such as Tohamsan peak in Gyeongju, Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan and Simwon Temple in Gayasan, have long been beloved by sunrise-watchers too. 
 

Ggotji beach in Taeanhaean is one of the most popular destinations for viewing the beautiful glow of the setting sun at the West Sea Coast, together with Chaeseok River in Byeonsanbando and Seongmodo Island in Ganghwado.
 

Dalgibong peak in Byeonsanbando is only about a 15 minute-walk from Gyeokpo Parking Lot. The sunset in Gyeokpo Beach and Chaeseok River makes a splendid sight.
 

Dala Park in Hallyeohaesang National Park is located in the middle of 23-killometer-long Sanyang road and it is the best place to see the a glowing sun setting along the South Sea coastline. At an observatory in Dala Park, you can see the sun setting between small islets in the South Sea such as Daejangjaedo, Sojangdaedo, Jeodo, Songdo, Haklimdo, Gonlido and Yeondaedo.
 

KNPS advised hikers to be extra cautious about hiking or climbing during this time of year, which may lead to serious or sometimes fatal injuries or health problems as it uses up a lot of energy in low temperature. Sunrise watchers sometimes
 

KNPS also warned sunrise watchers to avoid excessively-perspiring physical exercise when they race towards ideal spots to watch a sunrise before the sun appears. This sometimes could result in hypothermia when cold temperatures and excessive sweating cause the body to lose heat quickly, the Service added. 
 

The Service added that visitors should opt for a right hiking trail that they can ascend at a pace they can handle. A group hiking with one or more seasoned hikers is also recommended, the service said.
 

In addition, hikers are advised to take utmost care of themselves to maintain their body temperature when they stay long on the top of mountain waiting the sunrise. The Service recommended hikers wear or carry insulated outdoor clothing, extra blankets, hot water and high-calorie emergency food that keep their body warm.
 

KNPS cautioned that if you recognize hypothermia, such as shivering severely or becoming drowsy or unconscious, you must seek medical help immediately: call at 119 for medical emergency help or a National Park Office near you. The Service also advised hikers keep them updated with the latest weather forecasts before packing their backpack, in case where the access to their destination is limited due to severe weather events, such as heavy snow.
 

“Hiking or climbing to see the sunrise during winter time can be extremely dangerous, so visitors must follow the safety rules and those who have serious health conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease should refrain from hiking or climbing,” stressed Jeong Janghoon, Director of Public Relations Division at KNPS.