How to Safely Visit the Chaeseokgang Cliffs and Sea Caves at Low Tide
Chaeseokgang in Buan, North Jeolla Province, is a 1.5-kilometer coastal cliff stretching from the southern end of Gyeokpo Beach to Gyeokpo Port. To see the sedimentary rock layers formed about 87 million years ago, sea caves, and dinosaur footprints revealed at low tide, you should first consider the tide times and slippery rocks.
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The 1.5 km Chaeseokgang begins at the southern end of Gyeokpo Beach
Chaeseokgang is a coastal cliff in Byeonsanbando National Park, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk State, extending 1.5 km from the southern end of Gyeokpo Beach to Gyeokpo Port. The official tourism address is 1, Byeonsanhaebyeon-ro, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk State, and the information telephone number is 063-582-7808.
The coordinates specified by the user are 35.610140, 126.629757, but when using navigation or searching on a map, it is easier to find the site by entering the official address, “1, Byeonsanhaebyeon-ro, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk State,” or Gyeokpo Port as the destination rather than searching for Chaeseokgang. Chaeseokgang is not an exhibition hall inside a single building but an outdoor geological landscape adjoining the sea.
A sedimentary basin from 87 million years ago in the Cretaceous hardened like a book
Chaeseokgang was formed by volcanic activity and sedimentation approximately 87 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era. It developed in a small sedimentary basin along the Juhang-I-dong fault system in central and southern Korea, and is described as a geological attraction containing information about the geological activity of Northeast Asia approximately 90 million years ago.
The name “Chaeseokgang” was given because the layers of sedimentary rock piled one above another resemble tens of thousands of books stacked together. Each layer records Earth’s history, and faults and folds have also developed in the cliffs, allowing visitors to observe structures different from those of ordinary beach rocks. Chaeseokgang is also introduced as a landscape associated with “Chaeseokbeomju,” one of the Eight Scenic Views of Byeonsan.
Access to the sea caves and dinosaur footprints expands only at low tide
Sea caves formed by the erosive action of seawater, tides, and coastal currents have developed along the coastal cliffs. These caves are characterized by being taller than they are wide and are introduced as photography spots along with the Cross Cave. However, because the sea caves are located on rocky ground close to the sea, visitors can walk inside them only when the tide has receded.
Dinosaur footprints from the Mesozoic Cretaceous Period are also recorded on the rocks, but according to official information, they can be observed at low tide. The footprints are described as evidence that the area in front of Gyeokpo, Buan, was a lake at the time. Therefore, if the tide is not suitable, visitors may only be able to view the cliffs and sea before turning back, and they should not move recklessly toward areas where the water is rising.
First travel from Buan Intercity Bus Terminal to Gyeokpo Terminal
For public transportation, visitors are directed to take a bus toward Gyeokpo from Buan Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at Gyeokpo Terminal. Since official materials do not confirm the bus route number or service interval, international travelers should check at the terminal after arriving in Buan whether buses to Gyeokpo are operating and when the next departure is.
Gyeokpo Port is about a five-minute walk from Gyeokpo Terminal. Since Chaeseokgang lies between the southern end of Gyeokpo Beach and Gyeokpo Port, walk toward the port and look for the coastal cliff area. This is not an arrangement where visitors walk from a ticket office to the destination; it is a free outdoor landscape. Therefore, the operating hours of a separate ticket office and the exact walking distance to the coastal rocks have not been confirmed.
Although admission is free, understand the hours and closing days this way
Chaeseokgang is introduced as a tourist attraction open free of charge without a separate admission fee. Travel information dated August 6, 2026, lists it as “open 24 hours year-round,” but the official operating hours and separate ticket office hours have not been confirmed.
Some guides list the closing days as “open year-round,” but official information on closing days has not been confirmed. The address provided for the official website is http://www.ibuan.co.kr/tour01/index.htm, and inquiries can be made at 063-582-7808. Since this is a free outdoor geological landscape, it is safer to schedule a visit during daylight and low tide rather than relying solely on the 24-hour listing and descending onto the rocks in the dark.
Allow for weekend crowds at the public parking lots near Gyeokpo Beach
When traveling by car, visitors can use the public parking lots around Gyeokpo Beach. Parking fees have not been confirmed, and repeated notices indicate that nearby parking lots may be crowded on weekends. If visiting on a weekend, it is better to secure parking before going down toward the coast.
The exact number of parking spaces at Chaeseokgang and the walking distance from the parking area to the coastal rocks have not been confirmed. Since Gyeokpo Port is about a five-minute walk from Gyeokpo Terminal, the actual walking distance may vary depending on whether the parking location is on the beach side or the harbor side. Parking fees, bus route numbers, and service intervals were not provided as on-site operating information.
Look at the slippery rocks before the color contrast on a clear day
A review from May 27, 2025, said that the contrast between the sea and cliff colors is distinct on clear days, producing better photographs, and noted that although cloudy days have their own atmosphere, clear days are better for photography. The sea caves and layered cliffs are introduced as photography spots, but whether photography is prohibited has not itself been confirmed.
Information from the Korea Tourism Organization’s “Accessible Tourism for Everyone” lists an accessible restroom, an elevator for visitors with disabilities, designated accessible parking, no step at the main entrance, wheelchair rental, and stroller rental. However, the coastal rocks and sea cave sections of Chaeseokgang have uneven and potentially slippery surfaces, so visitors using wheelchairs or strollers may face limitations when traveling to the main natural formations.
Byeonsanbando itinerary featured together in a two-day, one-night video
A YouTube video dated April 14, 2024, about Chaeseokgang covers Chaeseokgang’s sea caves, Jeokbyeokgang Suseongdang Shrine, Buan Naesosa Temple, and Gomso Salt Flats as part of a two-day, one-night trip around Byeonsanbando. Thus, rather than making a short visit only to Chaeseokgang, travelers can create an itinerary combining the geological landscapes of the western coast of Byeonsanbando with Buan’s temple and salt-field culture.
However, the materials reviewed for this article do not provide travel times between the locations or public transportation routes. The recommended viewing time for Chaeseokgang was also not confirmed by a reliable source, so if planning a rocky-shore exploration around low tide, it is safer not to schedule fixed reservations at other locations too tightly. English-language information, an audio guide, and whether payment is cash-only have also not been confirmed.
Before You Go
- Address
- 1, Byeonsanhaebyeon-ro, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk State
- Hours
- Some travel information lists it as open 24 hours year-round, but the official operating hours could not be confirmed
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Introduced as a tourist attraction open free of charge without a separate admission fee
- Phone
- 063-582-7808
- Official site
- http://www.ibuan.co.kr/tour01/index.htm
- Transport
- Take a bus toward Gyeokpo from Buan Intercity Bus Terminal, get off at Gyeokpo Terminal, and continue to the Chaeseokgang area. Gyeokpo Port is about a five-minute walk from Gyeokpo Terminal.
- Parking
- Public parking lots around Gyeokpo Beach are available according to visitor information, but parking fees could not be confirmed
- Accessibility
- The Korea Tourism Organization’s “Accessible Tourism for Everyone” information lists an accessible restroom, an elevator for visitors with disabilities, designated accessible parking, no step at the main entrance, wheelchair rental, and stroller rental. However, the coastal rocks and sea cave sections of Chaeseokgang may have uneven and slippery surfaces, which can limit wheelchair and stroller access to the main natural formations.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Naesosa TempleA temple where you can explore a fir-tree forest path and the cultural heritage of this ancient Buddhist temple. -
2
Gomso Salt FieldsA place to observe the salt-field landscape where sun-dried sea salt is produced. -
3
JeokbyeokgangA geological attraction where you can admire red coastal cliffs and sunsets over the West Sea.
Food & Dining 2
-
4
Gomso Arirang RestaurantA restaurant serving pulchi set meals, salted seafood set meals, and braised hairtail. -
5
Gomso Lighthouse Road TableEnjoy local Gomso specialties, including pulchi baekban and a set meal featuring fermented seafood.
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