Welcoming the New Year at Ganjeolgot
New Year's Day!
On the first day of the year, many people flock to Ganjeolgot to witness the first sunrise and embrace new beginnings.
In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, where did you unfold your first story?
Although I missed the first sunrise at Ganjeolgot, I visited this special place designed to meet the light.
Ganjeolgot, located in Daesong-ri, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulsan, is the first place on the Korean Peninsula to greet the sun.
To experience a unique exhibition recorded in light, I visited Ganjeolgot twice, once during the bright day and once at night.
Let me introduce the different landscapes I encountered.
The first place to greet the morning is Ganjeolgot Park, where I experienced the 2025 Night Landscape Exhibition Snowfall and the 2025 Uljug Public Art Project Bloom.
Exhibition Details:
✅️ Exhibition Period: December 15, 2025 - February 20, 2026
✅️ Operating Hours: Night exhibition daily from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM
✅️ Admission: Free
The night I visited the landscape exhibition was peaceful, perhaps because it was a weekday, and I parked in the lot in front of the Saewool Pavilion.
Next to the Saewool Pavilion, there is a container building at the entrance of Ganjeolgot Park.
Here, you can participate in a Ganjeolgot stamp postcard experience. Once you collect six stamps on a postcard, you will receive a piece depicting the Ganjeolgot Sea, Ganjeolgot Lighthouse, and the Wish Mailbox.
There is also square red paper available on the table.
You can write your New Year wishes, supportive messages to loved ones, or resolutions and place them inside the red speech bubble sculpture.
"You are a star. Live with a star hidden in your heart. Become a star. A year that shines like a star."
- From Ganjeolgot
This reflects my desire to live a year shining like a star in 2026.
Exiting the experience space, I encountered a media facade area.
Uljujungnyeong (Media Facade) captures the memories of whales and patterns from Uljug and rock paintings through waves of light.
The silhouette of a whale slowly swimming in the dark quietly evokes the breath of the sea and ancient stories, allowing visitors to feel the emotions of Uljug's whale ecological culture.
Experiencing the UNESCO World Heritage rock painting of whale patterns registered in 2025 was truly moving.
Ganjeolgot opens the first morning of the Korean Peninsula!
Where was your first morning of 2026?
The winter forest I encountered during the day was bright and cheerful, like the white snow that had fallen.
With the vast sea as a backdrop, you can take beautiful photos from any spot.
Snowfall is not just about the snow that has fallen; it symbolizes the time of covering the old and blooming anew.
During the day, the tranquil landscape resembles a snowy scene, while at night, it transforms into a warm pink-lit space filled with emotions.
In places where footsteps stop, magic awaits as any spot turns into a photo zone.
The winter wind brushes past the reeds.
Uljug has many beautiful places to visit, including the Ganjeoljae Reeds, where the wind lingers.
Although I cannot provide details about the long-discussed Yeongnam Alps Cable Car project, it has made a preview appearance at Ganjeolgot Park.
Namchang Station, located in Onyang-eup, Uljug, on the Donghae Line, operates services such as Mugunghwa and ITX-Ma-eum.
As of December 15, 2025, Namchang Station has been officially designated as a KTX-Ium stop.
Using Namchang Station, where time stands still, makes it convenient to visit Ganjeolgot, Onggi Village, and Jinha Beach.
The carousel, a popular amusement park ride, is also installed here, serving as a photo zone without spinning.
It features a moon sculpture, creating a beautiful space where you can leave behind a memorable photo in your unique way.
I was with Haettimi, the mascot of Happiness Seeping into My Life Uljug.
What wish did I make while gazing at the moon?
The 2025 Uljug Public Art Project Bloom runs from December 15, 2025, to February 20, 2026, capturing the sensation of space changing within the flow of seasons from winter to spring.
The harmony of nature and art also provided plenty to see.
Let’s explore the installation pieces.
In Ganjeolgot Park, which connects to Ganjeolgot Lighthouse, high-quality sculptures by 13 artists are exhibited.
As it is the Year of the Horse, we can first encounter horse sculptures.
The installations include Geometry Heart P (2022), Good Morning, Eden '001', Cheonghak Flower, Assimilation Bench (2020), Rhythmic Ruler, SeeSaw-Black Balloon, and Daydream.
Winter's remnants, Ganjeolgot with snowfall!
Don't miss out on the unique experiences at Ganjeolgot, both day and night, as you embark on a special year.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224155516191
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