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Exciting places to celebrate Year of dragon

Visitors enjoy a sunrise view at a beach in Jeongdongjin, Gangneung, Gangwon Province in this file photo. The place is one of the well-known tourist spots which provide sunrise views. / Korea Times

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For many expats who have decided to stay in Korea rather than take a well earned break in a warmer climate, or return home to spend time with loved ones, the peninsula offers a wealth of breathtaking New Year's Eve and sunrise views, including Seoul.

The Acha Mountain Sunrise Festival is the first place where Seoulites can see the sun rise from 7 a.m. to 8: 15 a.m. Take the subway to Gwangnaru Station on line 5 and leave from exit 1. Follow the winding path up the hill for about 15 minutes till you reach the Sunrise Plaza. For more information, contact gwangjin.go.kr or call 02-450-1300.

The Heaven Park Sunrise Festival is a yearly event in Mapo-gu near the World Cup Stadium on line 6 exit 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. For more information, contact mapo.go.kr or call 02-3153-8354.

The Gaehwa Mountain Sunrise Festival will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. Exit Banghwa Station (line 5). Visit gangseo.seoul.kr or call 02-2600-6071.
Also in Seoul people can get views from Mt. Nam in front of the Namsan Octagonal Pavilion. Visit junggu.seoul.kr.

Gangwon Province hosts many sunrise festivals by the East Sea including Gyeongpo, Gangneung on the white sands of Gyeongpo Beach. Visit gntour.go.kr or call 033-640-5128. Jeongdongjin, Gangneung, is the famous location of the drama "Sandglass". Visit gntour.go.kr or call 033-640-5128. In Donghae the Chuam and Mangsang beaches host a Korean flag parade and a fireworks show. Go to dhtour.go.kr or call 033-532-2801. Popular surf location Yangyang, at Naksan Beach is a favorite for those wanting a brief escape from Seoul. Get details from yangyang.go.kr or call 033-670-2723.

Chungcheong Province will feature the Daecheon Sunset Festival that will take place on Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, more famous as the location of the annual mud festival. There will be a variety of activities and shows to enjoy such as a candle procession, choir concert and a fireworks show. Got to daechonbeach.or.kr or call 041-933-7051

The Busan New Year's Sunset and Sunrise Festival in Gyeongsang Province is one of Busan's most distinctive winter events, the festival is composed of a sunset fest at Dadaepo Beach, a bell tolling ceremony at Yongdusan Park, and the sunrise fest at Haeundae Beach. Tons of activities and games will keep visitors busy from 11 p.m. until the first daylight of 2012. Visit festival.busan.kr or call 051-888-3392.

The Ganjeolgot New Year's Festival at its scenic location near Ulsan will give viewers the first glimpse of the rising sun each morning. Be the first to welcome in the New Year here by being there. Visit ganjeolgot.org or call 052-229-7642.

At the Homigot National Sunrise Festival, Homigot, the main venue of the festival, is located on the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula. Homigot means "village on a tiger's tail" and is also the location of the first sunrises in Korea.

The festival includes local cultural performances, a New Year's celebratory event, fire show, sunrise concert and other diverse performances. Visitors may sample free tteokguk, a traditional New Year's Day dish, during the special event. Other events such as kite-flying and launching hope balloons with wishes attached will provide enjoyable moments to reflect on the previous year and create New Year resolutions. Visit eng.ipohang.org

The Geoje Island New Year Sunrise Festival is held at Mongdolgae in Jangseungpo-dong on rustic and picturesque Geoje Island. Visit tour.geoje.go.kr or call 055-639-3546.

Gijang Sunrise Festival will feature a drum show and other New Year's events at Imnang Beach. Gijang-gun is just outside of Busan. Visit tour.gijang.go.kr or call 051-709-4084.

The Haenam Sunset Festival in Jeolla Province will feature craft and product exhibitions, a tasting area, food marketplace, dance performances, family concerts, kite flying, and surprise events. This will taking place at Songji-myeon, Galdu town. Go to tour.haenam.go.kr or call 061-530-5919.

The Yeosu Hyangilam Sunset Festival will give visitors a chance to experience a beautiful sunrise against the backdrop of Yeosu's lush trees and rocks in Yeosu City in South Jeolla Province. Visit yeosutravel.net or call 061-690-2231.

Yeongam Lake Sunrise Festival starts at 7 a.m. with military band performances. Participants can release balloons, share lucky rice cake and write New Year's postcards. It will place at the plaza in front of the Hotel Hyundai in Yeongam-gun, south of Gwangju. Visit sunrise.yeongam.go.kr or call 061-470-2255.

Jeju Island is to host one of the nation's most famous festivals, the Seongsan Sunrise Festival. This annual event is held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Seongsan Ilchulbong "Sunrise Peak". The festival features music, a street parade, children's festival and flea market. For more information, visit culture.jeju.go.kr or call 064-760-2661.

By John Redmond

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