Sunset over the West Sea between the Halmi and Halabi Rocks at Kkotji Beach in Taean
Kkotji Beach in Anmyeon-eup, Taean, South Chungcheong Province, takes its name from the long shore where roses and plum blossoms bloom. Its signature scene is the sunset over the West Sea beyond the Halmi and Halabi Rocks. The beach is free to enter and open year-round, but check the tide times, sunset time, and peak-season traffic to fully enjoy the beach and rocks.
The Name Kkotji, Meaning ‘Flower Pond,’ and a 5 km Beach
Kkotji Beach is located in Seung-eon-ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. Taean-gun explains that the name ‘Kkotji’ was given because rugosa roses and plum blossoms bloomed along the long beach, making it look like a flower pond. The Korea Tourism Organization also introduces it as the widest beach on Anmyeondo Island, and the key landscape around Kkotji consists of a sandy beach and tidal flats whose appearance changes with the West Sea’s tidal range.
Admission is free, and the beach itself can be visited year-round. No separate opening or closing hours have been confirmed, so the operating hours section in the essentials has been left blank; however, water-play safety management periods and convenience-facility operations may vary by season. If you plan to go close to the sea, it is safer to check Taean-gun notices and the day’s tide times before departure.
- Location: Seung-eon-ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
- Coordinates: 36.508504° N, 126.348771° E
- Admission: Free
- Visit highlights: Sandy beach walks, sunset viewing, and summer swimming
A Landmark for Sunset Views Created by Myeongseung No. 69, Halmi and Halabi Rocks
The symbol of Kkotji is Halmi and Halabi Rocks standing in the sea in front of the beach. ‘Anmyeondo Kkotji Halmi and Halabi Rocks’ is Scenic Site No. 69 designated by the state, and the view of the two rocks together with the West Sea sunset is at the heart of their conservation value. Taean-gun explains that the site became known as one of the West Sea’s three major scenic sunset destinations because of the view when the sun sets between the rocks.
Whether you can walk toward the rocks depends on the tide level. At low tide, the condition of the tidal flats and water channels becomes visible, while at high tide the rocks appear isolated in the sea. If you approach the rocks, prepare non-slip shoes and return toward the sandy beach before the water rises. At night, illumination on the beach is low, so a phone light and a windproof outer layer are useful.
- National Heritage designation: Scenic Site No. 69
- Main attraction: The sunset between Halmi and Halabi Rocks
- Access variables: High and low tide, tidal-flat conditions, and wave height
- Safety preparations: Non-slip shoes, windproof clothing, and checking tide times before returning
An Afternoon Itinerary at Kkotji: Arrive 60–90 Minutes Before Sunset
Kkotji is visited more often for sunset viewing than for swimming. Because the position and time of sunset vary by date, it cannot be stated definitively that the sun sets exactly between the rocks in a particular season. The most practical approach is to check Taean’s sunset time for the day of your visit, then arrive at the beach 60–90 minutes beforehand to identify the parking area, restrooms, and direction of the rocks first.
You can stay until the sky retains some color after sunset, but departing may take longer on weekends and during the summer peak season when returning vehicles move all at once. Visitor guidance posted in 2025 mentioned that parking lots become crowded quickly just before sunset on weekends and during peak season. If sunset photography is your priority, first find the direction offering a direct view of Halmi and Halabi Rocks rather than standing in the center of the beach, and avoid blocking passageways when using a tripod.
- Recommended arrival: 60–90 minutes before that day’s sunset
- Recommended stay: 1.5–2 hours, including a walk and sunset viewing
- Likely busy period: Just before sunset on weekends and during peak season
- Note: The walkable area around the rocks varies with the tide
Take Routes 1001 or 9001 from Taean Public Bus Terminal to Kkotji Terminus
For public transportation users, it is easiest to use Taean Public Bus Terminal as the reference point. Public route information lists rural buses 1001 and 9001 as routes connecting Taean Public Bus Terminal and Kkotji Beach. Since Kkotji Beach is the terminus or a major stop on these routes, reconfirm the destination display and the day’s timetable before boarding.
There is no railway station providing direct access to the beach from Seoul or Daejeon, so the usual arrangement is to enter the Taean or Anmyeon area by intercity bus or private car and then transfer. Bus intervals and seasonal services may change, so it is safest to check with the Taean-gun tourism hotline at 041-670-2414 or on Taean-gun’s official tourism page. The path toward the inner part of the beach includes sand and gentle slopes, so support from a companion is helpful for large-wheeled strollers or manual wheelchairs.
- Transfer hub: Taean Public Bus Terminal
- Connecting routes: Rural buses 1001 and 9001
- Tourism inquiries: 041-670-2414
- Foreign-language information: No separate permanent service confirmed
A Spring or Autumn Schedule Combining Kkotji Coastal Park and Korea Flower Park
Kkotji Coastal Park is located immediately near Kkotji Beach, and Korea Flower Park is listed at 400 Kkotjihaean-ro, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. Flower festivals are paid events separate from beach operations, so do not confuse the beach’s free admission with festival admission tickets. During festival season, parking, routes, and operating hours vary according to event notices.
Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest is located at 3195-6 Anmyeon-daero, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, and its telephone number is 041-672-1440. The regional information from the National Taean Maritime Heritage Museum introduces the site as a natural forest of Anmyeon pine trees approximately 100 years old. During the day, walk through the recreation forest’s pine grove, then move to Kkotji in the late afternoon to watch the sunset—a good arrangement for a road trip.
- Nearby park: Kkotji Coastal Park
- Korea Flower Park address: 400 Kkotjihaean-ro, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
- Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest address: 3195-6 Anmyeon-daero, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
- Anmyeondo Natural Recreation Forest telephone: 041-672-1440
Who Should Avoid Full Parking Lots and Walking on the Tidal Flats
Visitors arriving by car can use parking spaces around the beach, but whether spaces are free or paid and whether temporary operations are in place during peak season could not be confirmed and varies by site and period. Therefore, parking fees should not be stated definitively. In particular, areas closest to the beach may become congested around sunset on weekends, so arriving early is preferable to arriving just before sunset.
Kkotji is better suited to travelers who can cope with sea wind, sand, tidal flats, and changing tides than to those seeking only a flat walk. If you have knee or ankle discomfort or find walking on a dark beach difficult, it is better to skip approaching the rocks and view the sunset from the paved side. The locations of disabled parking, wheelchair rentals, and permanent ramps could not be confirmed in official materials, so those who need them should contact Taean-gun before visiting.
- Parking: Nearby parking spaces available; advance confirmation of fees and operations recommended
- Actions to avoid: Entering deep into the tidal flats around high or low tide, and approaching the rocks alone after dark
- Recommended clothing: Windbreaker and shoes that secure the feet
- Accessibility: Detailed barrier-free facilities require advance inquiry
Eight Practical Checks to Make at Kkotji
Kkotji Beach is a beach rather than a tourist facility requiring an official admission ticket, so reservations are unnecessary. However, the water-play safety management period, flower festivals, and operating hours of commercial facilities near the beach are separate matters. Before visiting, check the sunset time, tide times, precipitation and wind speed, whether Routes 1001 and 9001 are operating, and the parking situation individually.
For official local information, you can use the Taean-gun Office Five-Senses Tourism website and the Taean-gun tourism inquiry hotline at 041-670-2414. Because the road-name addresses presented in the article could be confused with the beach itself even though they refer to nearby facilities, the address in the essentials is listed as ‘Seung-eon-ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do.’ For navigation, entering ‘Kkotji Beach’ or ‘Halmi and Halabi Rocks’ as the destination is more accurate.
- Reservation: Not required
- Admission: Free
- Official tourism page: https://www.taean.go.kr/tour/
- Inquiries: 041-670-2414
- Recommended checks: Sunset, tide, wind speed, buses, and parking
Before You Go
- Address
- Seung-eon-ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 041-670-2414
- Official site
- https://www.taean.go.kr/tour/
- Transport
- Take rural bus 1001 or 9001 from Taean Public Bus Terminal toward Kkotji Beach. Check the day’s timetable and destination before traveling.
- Parking
- Nearby parking spaces available. Advance confirmation of fees and peak-season operations recommended.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours, including sunset viewing
- Accessibility
- Because the beach includes sandy and tidal-flat sections, wheelchair and stroller access may be limited. Detailed information on accessibility facilities requires advance inquiry.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Kkotji Coastal ParkA park where you can enjoy coastal walks and seasonal horticultural exhibitions -
2
Korea Flower ParkA theme park where you can enjoy seasonal flower exhibitions, including tulips. -
3
Anmyeondo Recreational ForestA place to walk along trails through Anmyeon pine forests and enjoy forest recreation
Food & Dining 2
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4
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5
Kkotji KkotgejipA restaurant serving blue crab dishes such as ge gukji and soy sauce marinated crab.
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