The First Wave of Light Coloring the Winter Dawn: Sunrise Trip to Gamaksan
Introduction
On a winter dawn where even the sound of your breathing is crystal clear, the cold air slowly brightens along the ridge of Gamaksan. In that moment where the end and the beginning of a year meet, a sunrise trail opens up as we quietly recall our wishes while waiting for the yet-unseen sun.
The First Wave of Light Coloring the Winter Dawn: Sunrise Trip to Gamaksan
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Accommodation
- Restaurants & Cafes
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Event — Gamaksan Sunrise Event (27th)
- Dates — 2026-01-01 ~ 2026-01-01
- Hours — 06:00 ~ 09:00
- Venue — Summit of Gamaksan, San 57, Deoksan-ri, Sinwon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Admission — Free
- Hosted by — Geochang-gun
- Organized by — Namsang-myeon Youth Association
- Inquiries — 055-940-3420 (Namsang-myeon Youth Association)
- 05:30 Arrive at the parking lot near the summit of Gamaksan, check your warm clothing and lantern, and start walking to the event site.
- 06:00 Arrive at the summit event area, find a spot, and watch the ritual and sunrise ceremony together.
- 07:00 While waiting for sunrise, take part in the wish firecrackers and wish gourd-breaking programs and make your New Year’s wishes.
- 07:38 As the eastern sky opens and the sun rises, celebrate the start of the year together with a triple cheer of “manse.”
- 08:00 Warm up with the tteokguk (rice cake soup) tasting provided at the venue and take commemorative photos with family and friends.
- 09:00 As the event wraps up, descend slowly, enjoy the surrounding scenery, and continue on to nearby attractions.
On the day of the event, parking is only allowed in designated parking lots, so follow the guide signs.
Details may change depending on the weather, so check the latest announcements before you leave.
The Gamaksan Sunrise Event is one of the representative New Year’s celebrations of Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. On New Year’s Day, people gather at the summit of Gamaksan to watch the first sunrise together, praying for the safety of residents and for everyone’s wishes to come true. Marking its 27th edition, this year’s event welcomes the Year of the Red Horse (Byeongo Year, 丙午年), carrying the meaning of bringing blessings and hope to the community and brightening the New Year with the vigorous energy of the rising sun.
On the day of the event, a ritual for peace and prosperity begins in the early dawn at the summit, followed by a sunrise ceremony and triple cheering. A traditional percussion troupe performance echoes through the cold morning air, further heightening the atmosphere. Side programs such as wish gourd-breaking and tteokguk tasting are also prepared, making it a wonderful time to share warmth with family and neighbors and to set off into the new year together.
Program Information
A ritual to pray for safety throughout the year and prosperity of the region is held around 6 a.m. at the summit of Gamaksan. Timed with the sunrise, the ceremony continues with a triple cheering, as everyone gazes upon the first sun of the year and quietly engraves their own resolutions in their hearts.
Programs featuring wish firecrackers and wish gourd-breaking, filled with hopes for the New Year, are prepared. Take part with family and friends to share your wishes, and feel your excitement for the coming year grow in the cheers that erupt at the moment they burst.
After greeting the sunrise with a powerful triple cheering, a warm tteokguk tasting follows. Sharing a bowl of tteokguk while warming up becomes a humble yet heartfelt occasion for exchanging New Year’s greetings and sharing good wishes.
Because the event begins in the early dawn, the perceived temperature can be extremely low. Dress in multiple warm layers including thermal underwear, thick socks, and a scarf so you can wait for the sunrise more comfortably.
On the day of the event, you must park in the designated parking lot and walk to the venue, so it’s best to arrive with enough time to account for walking distance and time. Shoes with good traction such as comfortable sneakers or hiking boots are recommended.
Depending on weather conditions, the sunrise time and detailed schedule may be adjusted slightly. Check Geochang-gun’s official notices or related announcements before setting off so you can plan a safer and more stable itinerary.
If you wish to join the wish programs, follow staff instructions and line up in advance.
The tteokguk tasting may be held over a relatively short period, so listen carefully to announcements and move accordingly.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
Today is December 29, 2025, just before the Gamaksan Sunrise Event is about to take place. Since the event is held for just one day on January 1, 2026, I haven’t experienced it yet, but I’m planning to go soon. Just imagining watching the rising sun from the summit to greet the New Year makes my heart swell, and I already long for the sound of traditional music and the trembling cheers of people in the cold dawn air. When I picture walking up the mountain path in the lingering darkness toward a sky that gradually brightens, even my own breathing seems to feel clearer.
Looking at the recent preparations, this year’s event puts a strong emphasis on environmental considerations. I’ve heard that the wish firecrackers will use puffed rice, and the fireworks will be made of materials that can be collected afterward. Thanks to such thoughtful measures, it feels like the New Year won’t just be about seeing the first sunrise, but about starting the year in a way that’s a little more in harmony with nature, which makes me look forward to it even more. The event schedule has already been announced: from 6 a.m. at the summit, there will be a ritual, sunrise ceremony, triple cheering, wish gourd-breaking, and tteokguk sharing. It seems wise to map out your movements ahead of time so you can move with some buffer between each time slot.
The sunrise is expected around 7:38 a.m., and even the darkness before reaching the summit and the sound of the dawn wind brushing through the wild grasses are likely to become unforgettable memories. In the very moment when the fog lifts and the sky turns red, everyone will probably hold their breath for a second to greet the first light. This 27th Sunrise Event is organized by the Namsang-myeon Youth Association of Geochang-gun, and it is said to be a venue for fostering unity and hope among local residents and visitors. When I imagine the warmth of dawn at the summit of Gamaksan and the smiles that will spread across the faces of people making their New Year’s resolutions together, my heart naturally feels warmer. Until that moment when the dew of dawn and the light in the air come together, I’ll be heading to Gamaksan with a sense of anticipation.
Accommodation
Since the Gamaksan Sunrise Event takes place in the early morning, it’s more convenient to book a place to stay in Geochang-eup or nearby areas the night before. If you stay in downtown Geochang, it’s easy to continue your day after the sunrise by visiting local restaurants, cafes, and attractions.
When choosing a place to stay, first look at options in downtown Geochang or around Sinwon-myeon, taking travel time to Gamaksan into account.
Restaurants & Cafes
After the sunrise, it’s nice to head down to Geochang-eup and nearby areas for a warm meal or a quick cafe break. Here are some restaurants and cafes within roughly 10 km by car from Gamaksan that fit comfortably into your route.
69-17 Daeya-gil, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A casual dining spot conveniently located near Gamaksan
It’s a good idea to check business hours and closing days before you visit.
Distance: 6.6 km
3372 Geohaem-daero, Geochang-eup, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A cafe-style space conveniently located near Geochang-eup
If you’re planning a relaxed tea time after the sunrise, check the opening hours in advance.
Distance: 9.4 km
On weekends and holidays, wait times can vary greatly, so it’s better to visit with a relaxed schedule.
Nearby Attractions
After the sunrise event, you can enrich your day by also visiting anti-aging wellness facilities, academies, and theme parks near Gamaksan. Many attractions are clustered within a 10 km driving radius, so you can easily create a circular route without spending too much time on the road.
456 Yeonsusa-gil, Sinwon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A place to enjoy wellness experiences on the slopes of Gamaksan
It’s a nice spot to stop by for a light walk and rest after the sunrise; it’s best to check operating hours in advance.
Distance: 0.3 km
Sinwon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A cultural heritage stupa with a tranquil atmosphere
If you’d like to get a feel for the history and stories of the Gamaksan area, it’s a good place to stop briefly and look around in silence.
Distance: 1.5 km
127-3 Orye-gil, Sinwon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A shrine with the quiet ambience of a mountain temple
It’s a good place to spend a short time soaking in the still air; check the access road conditions beforehand if you plan to visit.
Distance: 3.3 km
863 Bamti-jae-ro, Namsang-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A rest area where you can enjoy a traditional pavilion and the surrounding scenery
It’s a nice, calm place for taking photos, and if you visit around sunset, you can look forward to the glow of the evening sky.
Distance: 6.8 km
21-1 Changpowon-gil, Namsang-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A waterfront park ideal for walks and photography
You can enjoy scenery that changes with the seasons, and the walking course is gentle enough for families.
Distance: 7.4 km
3078-13 Seobu-ro, Bongsan-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A Confucian academy notable for its traditional architecture and serene courtyard
If you plan to head toward Hapcheon after the sunrise, it’s a good place to stop by along the way.
Distance: 7.4 km
34 Mureung 2-gil, Namha-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A Confucian academy you can visit along with the peaceful scenery of a rural village
It’s recommended for those who’d like to take a short stroll and feel the countryside atmosphere of Geochang.
Distance: 8.6 km
3372-60 Geohaem-daero, Geochang-eup, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
A theme space offering apple-related experiences and exhibitions
It’s particularly suitable for family visitors; check operating hours and experience programs in advance.
Distance: 9.2 km
Plan attractions in the direction of downtown Geochang for the afternoon, combining them with meals and rest for a more relaxed route.
Getting There
Public Transportation — There is currently no officially confirmed information on public transportation or shuttle bus services. As the event date approaches, please check again via Geochang-gun’s announcements regarding any buses or shuttles running to the venue.
By Car — The address near the summit of Gamaksan is San 57, Deoksan-ri, Sinwon-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Enter this address into your navigation system to reach the parking lot close to the summit. On the day of the event, you must park in the designated lot and walk to the event site. Lighting is installed along the roughly 1 km section leading up to the venue, which can be helpful when walking in the dark early-morning hours.
Since there is a mountain walking section, bring shoes with good traction and a handheld lantern for safety.
Closing
The Gamaksan Sunrise Event is an opportunity to greet the first light of the year with your whole body, amid the stillness of a winter dawn, and to reaffirm your resolutions. The cold air, the reddening sky, and the moments of sharing each other’s wishes fill the summit of Gamaksan with a special excitement every New Year’s Day.
Though short, the schedule—from the ritual and sunrise ceremony to sharing wishes and tteokguk—offers enough comfort and courage to calmly gather your thoughts and take your first steps into the New Year. This winter, consider quietly beginning your own New Year’s story at Gamaksan as you watch the first wave of light together.
Photo Snapshots
Videos
