Experiencing the 2025 Ganjeolgot Light Festival
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Hello, this is Hidori 😊
For some reason, winter always makes me want to see the ocean even more.
And every winter, there’s one place in Ulsan I never skip — Ganjeolgot Cape.
Yes, it’s famous as the place where the sun rises first in Korea,
but at night during winter, it transforms into something magical:
a breathtaking “Sea of Lights” filled with tens of thousands of LED lights.
Walking through the cold night air, surrounded by glowing lights, and capturing that perfect shot —
this is my favorite way to enjoy winter 📸
✅ 2025 Ganjeolgot Light Festival – Essential Info (Save This!)
- Festival Period: December 15, 2025 – February 20, 2026
- Lighting Hours: 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day (12/31–1/1): Lights on until 8:00 AM
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free
- ⚠️ Parking may be restricted from 12/31 to 1/1 due to traffic control
🌙 Highlight #1
“Ganjeolgot truly shines after sunset”
The ocean view during the day is stunning, no doubt.
But personally? Ganjeolgot’s real charm begins at night.
As darkness settles in, thousands of lights bloom against the backdrop of the sea,
creating a view that feels almost unreal.
Fair warning: once you start taking photos, it’s hard to stop.
(Trust me — this place is dangerously photogenic.)
🤖 Highlight #2
The Beauty of Rebirth: Junk Art Park
If there’s one zone you must visit at the festival, it’s the Junk Art Exhibition Area.
- Home to the 18-meter-tall “Solarbot,” one of the world’s largest robot sculptures
- 114 recycled-art sculptures on display
- Interactive installations — you can even sit inside some pieces and take photos
Kids absolutely love this spot.
You’ll hear things like, “Wait… we can go inside the robot?!” — eyes sparkling with excitement ✨
🎄 Highlight #3
The Most Popular Photo Spot: Tree Village
This area feels straight out of a fairytale.
Small trees gathered together, glowing in soft pink light —
the atmosphere is unreal, especially after dark.
The giant Christmas tree photo zone in the center is extremely popular,
often with a line of people waiting for their turn.
📸 Photo Tip:
Step 4–5 steps back from the tree when taking pictures.
If you stand too close, the top gets cut off — distance makes the shot much more balanced.
🌾 Highlight #4
Golden Waves: Barley Light Zone (3 Photo Spots)
Right next to Tree Village, the mood changes completely.
You’ll find a glowing, golden pathway with three themed photo zones:
- Yeongnam Alps Cable Car zone
- Carousel zone (perfect for nostalgic, playful shots)
- Full Moon zone (pure winter-night vibes)
Even casual photos come out beautifully here —
this area basically does the work for you.
🎁 Make a Wish & Take Home a Memory
1) New Year Wish Zone
Write down your wish and hang it in the festival area.
It somehow feels more likely to come true when surrounded by all that light 😊
(Wishing good things for everyone reading this!)
2) Stamp Postcard Experience
Use six different colored stamps to complete a postcard shaped like Ganjeolgot.
Simple, fun, and surprisingly pretty — a great keepsake.
3) Don’t Skip the Media Art
Many people walk past it, heading straight for the trees.
But stop for a moment — the media art installations are more impressive than expected.
And hey, photos are memories 😉
🧤 Turning Cold into Comfort: Hidori’s Winter Routine
Being right by the ocean means strong winter winds.
Here’s how I enjoy it without freezing:
✅ 1) Hand warmers + hot coffee
There are cafés nearby and food trucks selling snacks like hot dogs and skewers.
Hot packs are essential — warm drinks are non-negotiable.
✅ 2) Layer up properly
Hats, gloves, scarves, earmuffs — don’t skip them.
When you’re warm, everything looks more beautiful (this is 100% true).
✅ 3) Aim for Magic Hour
Right after sunset, when the sky still holds a soft pink glow,
the lights and sky together create the best photos of the night — guaranteed.
✨ Final Thoughts
Winter air may be cold, but that chill makes the lights of Ganjeolgot feel even warmer and brighter.
Staying indoors would be a waste when something this beautiful is waiting outside.
Bundle up and take a winter drive to Ganjeolgot this weekend 🚗💨
Your nose might get cold — but your heart will definitely feel warm.
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