South Gyeongsang Province

From the End of Dojangpo Rock to Dapo Island: Geoje Sinseondae

Geoje Sinseondae is a destination where you can take in the massive rock formations along the Dojangpo coast in Galgot-ri, Nambumyeon, as well as the Sinseondae Observatory. Descend via the deck to connect Gatbawi Rock, Osaekbawi Rock, and Hammok Mongdol Beach, then look out over Dapo Island and the Namhae Archipelago from the observatory, which is accessible by car.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 18 min 222

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Two Names: “The Place Where Immortals Played” and Gatbawi

Geoje Sinseondae is a large rock formation on the coast of Dojangpo Village, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. Geoje City and the Korea Tourism Organization explain that it was named “Sinseondae,” meaning “the place where immortals came down to enjoy the pleasures of nature,” and it is also called “Gatbawi” because its rock formation resembles the traditional hat worn by a scholar.

Geoje City’s tourism information also records a folk belief that a person aspiring to an official position could have their wish granted by performing a ritual for achieving office at Gatbawi. At the site, rather than focusing on the legend itself, it is best to take in the broad rock platform, the multicolored rocks that appear to be stacked in layers, and the small shore below the rocks, all visible in one scene.

거제신선대 이미지입니다. — This is an image of Geoje Sinseondae. — Photo source: geoje.go.kr

Different Views from the Observatory Near 146 Haekeumgang-ro and San 21-21

The land-lot address of the Sinseondae Observatory is listed as San 21-21, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si. The entrance to Sinseondae is marked as approximately 0.33 km from the front of Galgot Tourist Gas Station at 146 Haekeumgang-ro, and the simplest way to find the observatory is from the road toward Haekeumgang.

The observatory is a point that can be approached closely by car, offering views down over all of Sinseondae and the South Sea horizon, while the actual rocks require walking down along the deck. Geoje City advises visitors traveling with someone who has difficulty walking to use the observatory, where the scenery can be viewed from the vehicle. From the rocks, the archipelago toward Dapo-do and Cheonjangsan is visible, while Hahmok Mongdol Beach extends below to the right.

Rocky Ground About 200 m Below the Deck: Allow 40–60 Minutes Round Trip

A 2010 travel account published by Geoje City states that visitors descend approximately 200 m from the observatory to the Sinseondae rocks. This figure should be treated as a reference rather than a recent officially certified trekking distance. In practical terms, allow about 15–20 minutes for viewing only from the observatory, or approximately 40–60 minutes to walk the deck round trip and explore the rocks.

The deck is maintained, but the destination is exposed coastal rock rather than a flat indoor viewing facility. The rocks and stairs may be slippery after rain, and it is safest not to go to the edge of the rocks on days with high waves or strong winds. Past Geoje City travel accounts recorded rope barriers and warning signs in dangerous sections, so visitors should not cross any control lines at the site.

거제 신선대입니다. — This is Geoje Sinseondae. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Free Coastal Scenic Site Without Set Operating Hours

Sinseondae is an outdoor coastal scenic site, not a facility with a ticket booth. Geoje City and the Korea Tourism Organization’s published information does not specify separate opening or closing hours or regular closing days, and admission is free. Accordingly, the essentials should accurately state the operating hours as “Advertised as open at all times, but with no official timetable” and the closing days as “No regular closing days announced.”

No reservation is required either. However, since official information on lighting and safety management at night could not be confirmed, it is better to visit before sunset if you plan to descend to the deck and rocks. Tourism inquiries can be made to the Tourism Policy Team of the Tourism Division, Culture and Tourism Bureau, Geoje City, at 055-639-4161. The official tourism page is https://geoje.go.kr/user/smarttour/view.geoje?basicSection2=&basicSid=40&menuCd=DOM_000008502004011001&pageIndex=49&searchKeyword=&searchType=BASIC_TITLE.

거제신선대 전경입니다. — This is a view of Geoje Sinseondae. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

219 Spaces at Haegeumgang National Park Parking Lot and Preparing for Weekend Crowds

For those traveling by car, enter “Sinseondae” or “Sinseondae Observatory” into the navigation system. Geoje City’s list of public free parking lots includes Haegeumgang (National Park) Parking Lot at 72-3, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, with 219 spaces. It is a large public parking option that can be used when visiting the area around Sinseondae, and the parking fee is listed as free by Geoje City.

A 2010 Geoje City travel account noted that the parking lot at the entrance to Dojangpo Village was crowded with tour buses and passenger cars. Although this does not guarantee current congestion levels, it is advisable to arrive early on weekends and holidays when Windy Hill and Haegeumgang are visited together, or to consider using Haegeumgang National Park Parking Lot. Avoid arbitrary roadside parking and use designated parking spaces.

Get Off at Dojangpo from Jangseungpo: A Coastal Area of Nambu-myeon Where a Car Is Convenient

For public transportation, Geoje City directs visitors to external route-finding services on its official tourism page, so real-time routes should be checked again before departure. A Geoje City travel account introduces taking a bus from Jangseungpo toward Haegeumgang Village and getting off at Dojangpo. However, bus numbers, schedules, and stop locations may change, so it is safer not to treat them as fixed information.

This is not a place to walk to from a railway or subway station. The route involves traveling from the Gohyeon Bus Terminal or Jangseungpo area to Nambu-myeon and getting off at Dojangpo. To see both the Sinseondae Observatory and the rock section, a private car, rental car, or taxi is more convenient. Wheelchair and stroller users are better served by viewing the scenery from the Sinseondae Observatory, which is accessible by vehicle, rather than descending to the rocky area below the deck.

거제신선대 모습입니다. — This is a view of Geoje Sinseondae. — Photo source: xn--ok0b236bp0a.com

Suggested Order Connecting Windy Hill at 62 Dojangpo 1-gil with Haegeumgang

Windy Hill is located in the area opposite Sinseondae, and Geoje City’s tourism page gives its address as 62 Dojangpo 1-gil, Nambu-myeon. Since the two sites are close and connected via Dojangpo Village, they are easy to visit together. Seeing the texture of the rocks and the archipelago at Sinseondae, followed by the coastal hill and windmill direction at Windy Hill, helps avoid overlapping views.

Haegeumgang is listed at San 1, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si, and is a key point in the coastal tourism area of Nambu-myeon extending from Sinseondae. The address of Hahmok Mongdol Beach is 370, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, which also helps explain its geographical relationship as a small pebble beach beside the Sinseondae rocks. If visiting all three places in one day, plan separately for 40–60 minutes at Sinseondae, additional walking time at Windy Hill, and the boarding time for the Haegeumgang cruise.

거제 남부면 해안 풍경입니다. — Coastal scenery in Nambu-myeon, Geoje. — Photo source: xn--ok0b236bp0a.com

A Panorama in a 2004 Film and the Best Time to See the Archipelago

According to Geoje City tourism information, the panorama photograph hanging in the room of the protagonist, played by actor Park Shin-yang in the 2004 film The Big Swindle, showed the archipelago as seen from the Sinseondae Observatory. This record shows that Sinseondae became known not simply as one rock, but for the view created jointly by the observatory and the coastal rocks.

If your purpose is photography, the contours of the rocks tend to stand out more as the sun gets lower, but sunset times vary by season. For safety, finish viewing the deck and rocks while it is still light; on windy days, it is better to keep the visit short and focus on the observatory. Food, restroom, and cruise times vary according to the operations of individual businesses in the Dojangpo and Haegeumgang areas, so same-day confirmation is necessary.

거제신선대 주변 해안입니다. — Coast around Geoje Sinseondae. — Photo source: xn--ok0b236bp0a.com

Before You Go

Address: San 21-21, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (Sinseondae Observatory)
Hours: Advertised as open at all times, but no official operating timetable
Closed: No regular closing days announced
Admission: Free
Phone: 055-639-4161
Official site: https://geoje.go.kr/user/smarttour/view.geoje?basicSection2=&basicSid=40&menuCd=DOM_000008502004011001&pageIndex=49&searchKeyword=&searchType=BASIC_TITLE
Transport: Take a bus from Jangseungpo toward Haegeumgang Village and get off at Dojangpo, but check routes and schedules in real time before departure
Parking: Haegeumgang (National Park) free parking lot, 219 spaces: 72-3, Galgot-ri, Nambu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Time needed: 15–20 minutes for the observatory only; 40–60 minutes recommended including the deck and the round trip to the Sinseondae rocks
Accessibility: The path descending to Sinseondae has been improved with a deck, but the coastal rock section is unsuitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Visitors traveling with someone who has difficulty walking are advised to view the scenery from the Sinseondae Observatory, which is accessible by vehicle. Foreign-language information could not be confirmed.

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

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