The Rock from the First Verse of the National Anthem and a 72 m Sea Bridge
Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock is a famous sunrise spot on Korea’s East Sea, known as the backdrop for the first verse of the national anthem. This guide covers a roughly 1–2-hour route taking in Chotdaebawi Rock, Neungpadae Rock, Haeamjeong Pavilion, Chuam Beach, and the 72 m suspension bridge, along with opening hours, parking fees, and transportation information.
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The Appearance of Chotdaebawi Rock Featured in the First Verse of the National Anthem
Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock is located at San 69, Chuam-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon State, and its road-name address is listed as 17-1 Chotdaebawi-gil, Donghae-si. The strangely shaped rocks rising from the sea resemble a candlestick, giving the site the name “Chotdaebawi,” and it is often introduced as the background scenery for the first verse of the national anthem.
This is presented as one of Donghae’s representative sunrise attractions and a preferred sunrise destination for visitors to Korea. Its current character is better understood not as a viewpoint for seeing only one rock, but as a coastal attraction where you can walk along a route connecting Chuam Beach, Neungpadae and Seokrim, Haeamjeong Pavilion, the coastal walking trail, and the suspension bridge.
How the 72 m Suspension Bridge Changed the Chuam Coastal Route in 2019
The Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock Marine Suspension Bridge was announced to have opened on June 28, 2019, and measures 72 m long and 2.5 m wide. It was introduced as the only marine suspension bridge on Korea’s east coast, connecting Chotdaebawi Rock, Seokrim—difficult to find elsewhere in Korea—and the East Sea so they could be viewed along one route.
The suspension bridge was built to accommodate 672 adults at the same time and was announced as being designed to withstand strong winds of up to 45 m/s and earthquakes measuring 6.0–6.3. According to the 2019 announcement, the suspension bridge and coastal walking trail were free facilities, so it is better to plan to include the bridge rather than turning back after seeing only Chotdaebawi Rock.
Free Coastal Attraction Open from 09:00
According to the visitor information, operating hours are 09:00–18:00 from March through October, the summer season, and 09:00–17:00 from November through February, the winter season. Admission closes one hour before the end of operating hours, so visitors must enter by 17:00 in summer and by 16:00 in winter.
The site is listed as open year-round, and Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock, the coastal walking trail, and the suspension bridge are listed as free to enter. The main inquiry number is the Chuam Tourist Information Center at 033-530-2801, and Donghae City’s official tourism website is https://dh.go.kr/tour/index.do.
How to Reach Donghae from Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station
Travelers visiting Korea for the first time can use Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station as their departure point. Donghae City’s official information states that a one-way KTX trip from Seoul Station to Donghae Station takes at least 2 hours 35 minutes, while a one-way KTX trip from Cheongnyangni Station to Mukho Station takes at least 1 hour 57 minutes.
The city’s information also gives rail travel times of 3 hours 50 minutes from Donghae Station to Bujeon Station in Busan and 3 hours 58 minutes from Mukho Station to Bujeon Station in Busan. However, the confirmed information does not include bus route numbers, stop names, or walking time after getting off, so after arriving at Donghae Station or Mukho Station, enter San 69, Chuam-dong, or 17-1 Chotdaebawi-gil, Donghae-si, into a map app to check the final leg.
Chotdaebawi Rock and the Suspension Bridge Separated by a Road
Visitor reviews explain that the section with Chotdaebawi Rock and the section with the suspension bridge are divided by a road, so both sides must be visited separately. Therefore, after parking, do not finish after viewing only one side; instead, allow travel time for a route connecting Chotdaebawi Rock, Neungpadae, Haeamjeong Pavilion, the suspension bridge, and the Sculpture Park.
The address of the Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock Suspension Bridge is listed separately as 28 Chotdaebawi-gil, Donghae-si, while Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock and Chuam Beach are listed at 17-1 Chotdaebawi-gil, Donghae-si. Based on visitor reviews, the area connecting Chotdaebawi Rock, Neungpadae, Haeamjeong Pavilion, the suspension bridge, and the Sculpture Park is estimated to take about 1–2 hours to visit.
KRW 3,000 and KRW 5,000 at Chuam Beach Public Parking Lot
Parking is available at the Chuam Beach–Chuam Tourist Area public parking lot, and fees apply. According to Donghae City’s official fee information, the daily rate for small vehicles is KRW 3,000. Small vehicles include passenger cars, vans carrying 15 people or fewer, and cargo vehicles under 1.5 tons.
The daily rate for large vehicles is KRW 5,000, applying to vans carrying 16 people or more and cargo vehicles weighing 1.5 tons or more. Restrooms, resting areas, and nearby restaurants and cafés are listed as amenities, but the latest operating hours and payment methods for the individual parking lot are not included in the confirmed information.
Sunrise from the Front of Chotdaebawi Rock and the Coastal Trail Observatory
The most representative sunrise point is listed as the viewpoint directly in front of Chotdaebawi Rock. A photography tip also suggests aligning the sun with the tip of the rock to create a scene resembling a lit candle, so the key is to determine the sunrise direction and position of the rock’s tip in advance.
If you want to see the sunrise away from the crowds, the coastal trail observatory is presented as an alternative. The area around Chotdaebawi Rock is introduced as offering wide-open sea views during the day and LED scenery at night, including step lights, firefly-style lighting, and starlight illumination. Unless sunrise is your goal, you can therefore visit during the day or at night according to the atmosphere you prefer.
Expand Your Donghae Itinerary from Chuam Beach into a Four-Hour Course
Donghae City’s official recommended course continues from Chuam Beach to Mureung Valley Scenic Area and then Cheongok Natural Cave. Visiting all three places takes an average of about four hours, and visitors are advised to allow roughly one additional hour if they also want to tour the natural cave park.
For a shorter sea-focused course, another route runs from Chuam Beach to Mukho Port and Mangsang Beach, taking an average of about two hours. Since Chuam Beach and the Chuam Suspension Bridge are located together around Chuam, you can finish with a short 1–2-hour coastal walk or combine Donghae’s sea, valleys, and caves into one full day.
On-Site Conditions Still Unknown on a First Visit
The confirmed information does not specify wheelchair or stroller-accessible sections, stairs or slope conditions, whether photography is prohibited, or whether English information or audio guides are available. Although a 2019 announcement stated that the suspension bridge was built to withstand strong winds and earthquakes, the real-time control criteria during bad weather, waves, or strong winds have not been separately confirmed.
Information on lines and crowding during sunrise hours, as well as whether cash only is accepted, is also unavailable in the confirmed guidance. Therefore, while making use of the basic conditions of free admission and year-round operation, travelers with mobility concerns should contact the Chuam Tourist Information Center at 033-530-2801 for accessibility information. Anyone planning to use the suspension bridge should also check the weather conditions on the day of the visit.
Before You Go
- Address
- San 69, Chuam-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon State / Road-name address: 17-1 Chotdaebawi-gil, Donghae-si
- Hours
- Summer season (March–October) 09:00–18:00 / Winter season (November–February) 09:00–17:00; admission closes one hour before closing
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock, the coastal walking trail, and the suspension bridge are listed as free to enter
- Phone
- 033-530-2801
- Official site
- https://dh.go.kr/tour/index.do
- Transport
- Seoul Station↔Donghae Station KTX one way: 2 hours 35 minutes or more; Cheongnyangni Station↔Mukho Station KTX one way: 1 hour 57 minutes or more; Donghae Station↔Bujeon Station in Busan: 3 hours 50 minutes; Mukho Station↔Bujeon Station in Busan: 3 hours 58 minutes
- Parking
- Paid parking listed at the Chuam Beach–Chuam Tourist Area public parking lot. Small vehicles: KRW 3,000; large vehicles: KRW 5,000
- Time needed
- Based on visitor reviews, approximately 1–2 hours for the area around Chotdaebawi Rock, Neungpadae, Haeamjeong Pavilion, the suspension bridge, and the Sculpture Park
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 2
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1
Isabu Lion ParkA park themed around Silla general Isabu, where visitors can enjoy sea views and exhibitions. -
2
Cheongok Golden Bat CaveAn interactive tourist attraction where visitors explore a limestone cave beneath the city center.
Food & Dining 3
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3
Chuam Hoetjip DaegaeA restaurant where you can enjoy seafood dishes such as snow crab, live fish sashimi, and mulhoe (cold raw fish soup). -
4
Donghae HoesikjipA sashimi restaurant serving fresh raw fish sashimi, mulhoe, gomchi-guk, and other seafood dishes from Korea’s east coast. -
5
Donghae Russian King Crab VillageA specialty restaurant where you can enjoy Russian king crab and seafood dishes.
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