North Gyeongsang Province

Yeongdeok Sunrise Park, Where a Snow Crab Claw Lighthouse Meets 1,500 Steps

Yeongdeok Sunrise Park is a coastal park developed after a 1997 forest fire. Its highlights include the 24-meter Changpomaru Lighthouse, shaped like a snow crab claw, and an observation deck overlooking the East Sea. Although some sources describe admission as free, official information on operating hours, fees, and public transportation could not be confirmed, so visiting by car and checking accessibility are important.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 16 min 217

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A Park Rebuilt Toward the Sea After the 1997 Wildfire

Yeongdeok Sunrise Park is a coastal park established around Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The present walking area was created after a coastal trail, railroad-tie steps, a narcissus garden, and Changpommal Lighthouse were added to land devastated by a major wildfire in 1997.

The park is arranged to offer views of the East Sea in front and broad grasslands and pine forests behind. Wooden stairs lead toward the coastal road and sea, while wooden walkways follow the hills and cliffs. Rather than simply being a place to see a lighthouse, it is better understood as a place to walk along terrain descending toward the sea.

영덕 해맞이공원에서 바다를 바라보는 풍경입니다. — A view of the sea from Yeongdeok Sunrise Park. — Photo source: yd.go.kr

Why Crab Claws Were Added to the 24 m Changpommal Lighthouse

The centerpiece of Sunrise Park is Changpommal Lighthouse. The lighthouse was created through a design competition for sculptural lighthouses held by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in 2006. It features the crab claws symbolizing Yeongdeok wrapped around a 24 m-high white tower.

The middle section of the lighthouse serves as an observation deck, while the lower level offers views of East Sea waves and oddly shaped rocks. Information states that the lighthouse beam reaches the sea 42 km away and flashes once every six seconds. Ganggu Port is 3 km from Changpommal Lighthouse, making it easy to understand Yeongdeok’s snow crab-producing area and coastal scenery along one route.

대게 집게발 모양의 창포말등대입니다. — Changpommal Lighthouse, shaped like snow crab claws. — Photo source: yd.go.kr

A 200 m Deck from the Lighthouse to the Parking Lot, Plus 1,500 Steps

A deck walkway approximately 200 m long runs along the coastal cliffs between Changpommal Lighthouse and the Yeongdeok Sunrise Park parking lot. Several arched obstacles stand along the middle of the walkway, which may make passage difficult for wheelchair and stroller users.

The park has approximately 1,500 steps, and guide materials explain that it is inaccessible to wheelchair users. The approach to Changpommal Lighthouse has a step of about 20 cm instead of a ramp, and information indicates that there are no separate accessible parking spaces or accessible restrooms. If walking assistance is needed, it is safer to decide in advance with a companion how far the lighthouse and deck can realistically be accessed.

해안 절벽을 따라 이어지는 영덕 해맞이공원 산책로입니다. — A walkway at Yeongdeok Sunrise Park running along the coastal cliffs. — Photo source: weeklycarnews.com

Viewing Areas That Are Easy to Miss at Sunrise

Sunrise Park is introduced as one of Yeongdeok’s famous sunrise spots, and two observation decks facing the East Sea are installed along the park’s walking trails. From the narrow path by the coastal cliffs, visitors can look out to sea; farther down, the route continues to a coastal seaside path where the sound of the waves can be heard up close.

However, because the area includes both stairs and cliff sections, not every trail is level or equally accessible. Remember that the lower level and middle observation deck of Changpommal Lighthouse and the deck walkway are separate viewing points. Whether photography is prohibited, how much of the lighthouse interior is open, and whether English information or an audio guide is available have not been confirmed.

영덕 해맞이공원 전망데크에서 바라본 동해입니다. — The East Sea seen from an observation deck at Yeongdeok Sunrise Park. — Photo source: weeklycarnews.com

Visitor Information Introduced as Free, but Without an Official Schedule

Review materials introduce Sunrise Park as open 24 hours and free of charge. However, official operating hours and an official admission fee table could not be confirmed, and regular closing days have also not been confirmed. Therefore, although it is possible to visit early for sunrise, those planning to see a particular facility or the inside of the lighthouse should contact the Yeongdeok County Office Cultural Tourism Information service for accurate details.

The inquiry telephone number is the Yeongdeok County Office Cultural Tourism Information service at 054-730-6114, with representative information hours listed as weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00. The official website is the Yeongdeok County Office website: https://www.yd.go.kr/. There is a parking lot, but no separate accessible parking spaces; the number of available spaces and parking fees have not been confirmed.

Accessing Changpommal Lighthouse: A Clearer Route by Car than by Public Transportation

The address is provided as Daetan-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, while the tourist-site address based on Changpommal Lighthouse is San 5-5, Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Official materials do not provide bus routes, stops, or walking times based on stations, terminals, or airports from which visitors from outside the area might depart.

If combining nearby attractions by car, Yeongdeok Wind Power Plant is about 4 minutes, or 1.7 km, from Sunrise Park. The coastal road connecting Ganggu Port is introduced as the Goraebul Beach–Chuksan Port–Yeongdeok Sunrise Park–Ganggu Port section. Some materials indicate that driving from Sunrise Park to Ganggu Port takes about 14 minutes and covers 5.1 km.

영덕 해맞이공원 위쪽 언덕에 있는 풍력발전단지입니다. — The wind power plant on the hill above Yeongdeok Sunrise Park. — Photo source: yd.go.kr

How to Decide Whether to Start the 15.5 km Blue Road Route B

Sunrise Park is the starting point of Yeongdeok Blue Road Route B. Route B runs 15.5 km from Sunrise Park to Chuksan Port, passing Yeongdeok Sunrise Park’s seaside, Daetan Port, Obo Beach, Nomulli Breakwater, the entrance to Seok-ri Breakwater, Gyeongjeong 3-ri, Gyeongjeong Beach, Jukdosan Blue Road Bridge, and Chuksan Port.

The entire section takes approximately five hours according to reviews. Visitors who only want to see the lighthouse and a short section of the deck do not need equipment for a long-distance route, but those completing Route B should consider the 15.5 km coastal path and its stairs and cliff terrain. Conversely, travelers planning a long coastal walk can clearly set Sunrise Park as their starting point and finish their itinerary at Chuksan Port.

Connecting Wind Hill and Ganggu Port in One Day

Yeongdeok Wind Power Plant is located on the hill above Sunrise Park. It was built on a 166,117 m² site at a project cost of 67.5 billion won and began operating in March 2005. It is a combination that lets visitors see why a coastal park by the sea and wind turbines on the hill were placed in the same area.

The wind power plant includes the New and Renewable Energy Exhibition Hall, Sunrise Art Hall, and Forest Ecology and Culture Experience Park. At the New and Renewable Energy Hall, visitors can experience the principles of the sun, wind, and water and see solar sunflowers that move with the sun. Nearby facilities introduced by Yeongdeok County also include Windmill Park, the Aircraft Exhibition Center, Changpo Stadium, the Beacon Fire Platform, and Ocean World Park.

영덕풍력발전단지 주변의 바람개비공원 풍경입니다. — The scenery of Windmill Park around Yeongdeok Wind Power Plant. — Photo source: yd.go.kr

Before You Go

Address: Daetan-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do; based on Changpommal Lighthouse: San 5-5, Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Hours: Review materials introduce it as open 24 hours, but official operating hours could not be confirmed
Closed: Regular closing days could not be confirmed
Admission: Review materials introduce it as free, but an official fee table could not be confirmed
Phone: Yeongdeok County Office Cultural Tourism Information: 054-730-6114
Official site: https://www.yd.go.kr/
Transport: About 4 minutes and 1.7 km by car from Sunrise Park to Yeongdeok Wind Power Plant; Blue Road Route B runs 15.5 km from Sunrise Park to Chuksan Port
Parking: Parking lot available; no separate accessible parking spaces
Time needed: Approximately five hours for the entire Blue Road Route B according to reviews; park-only viewing time could not be confirmed
Accessibility: The approach to Changpommal Lighthouse has a step of about 20 cm; the park’s approximately 1,500 steps are inaccessible to wheelchair users; the deck walkway has arched obstacles

The information above is based on the time of writing. Check official information again before visiting.

Yeongdeok Sunrise Park Changpomaru Lighthouse Blue Road Route B East Sea sunrise coastal walking trail Yeongdeok Wind Power Complex

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영덕 해맞이공원

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