By Wu Jinhua

This sunrise is seen from the Gariwangsan cable car on Gariwangsan Mountain in Jeongseon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province. (Jeongseon County Office)

The cable car on Gariwangsan Mountain in Jeongseon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, is emerging as a tourist attraction for its sunrise. Especially in December, the mountain offers a unique impression created by snow-covered branches on trees for passengers on the car while they also see the sunrise.

"The Reflection of Lights," a photo of Lake Gosam in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do Province, by Cheon Eun-hui, won the top prize in a smartphone photo contest in November 2022 hosted by Anseong City Hall. (Gyeonggi Tourism Organization)

Looking for a unique sunrise not too far from Seoul? Try Gosam Lake in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do Province. Famous for its gorgeous sunrise, this lake showcases a dreamy scenery thanks to wet fog rising at dawn. The observatory by the lakeside is the best spot to see the sunrise.

This is the sunrise from Cape Ganjeolgot in Ulju-gun County of Ulsan. (Ulju County)

People in Cape Ganjeolgot in Ulju-gun County of Ulsan are the country's first to see the sunrise. For those wishing to view the first sunrise of the new year, the county will host the 2024 Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival that includes a monster show of 1,000 drones. 

This sunrise above the statue "Hand of Harmony" symbolizing coexistence is at Homigot Sunrise Square in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (Pohang City Hall)

Known as a famous sunrise spot and for its statue "Hand of Harmony" symbolizing coexistence, Homigot Sunrise Square in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, will host the Homigot Sunrise Festival from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1. Marking its 26th year, the two-day event includes a congratulatory aerobatics show by the Naval Air Command and R.O.K. Marine Aircraft Group at 7:33 a.m., the estimated time of 2024's first sunrise on Jan. 1.

This sunset is seen from the ninth floor of the observatory in Ttangkkeut Village of Haenam-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province (Travie)

Another prime sunrise spot is the observatory on the peak of Galdusan Mountain in Ttangkkeut Village of Haenam-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province, the southernmost area of the Korean Peninsula. The observatory is unique in that visitors can see both the sunrise and sunset at the same place. From Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, the 25th annual Ttangkkeut Sunset & Sunrise Festival will feature a variety of concerts and interactive events. Visitors can say bye to 2023 and welcome 2024 in the southernmost area of the country.

jane0614@korea.kr