A Place Infused with the Time of Ulleungdo: Facing the Sea at Seokpo Sunrise and Sunset Observatory (Seokpo Ilchul-Ilmol Jeonmangdae)

The Edge of Ulleungdo Where the Breath of History Lingers

I arrived at the end of a hill in Cheonbu-ri, Buk-myeon, Ulleungdo, where the cold sea breeze brushed against my cheeks. The path up to the Seokpo Sunrise and Sunset Observatory (Seokpo Ilchul-Ilmol Jeonmangdae) was filled with a mix of strange tension and excitement. This place is not just for enjoying the view. It is a land deeply marked by history, where Japanese forces built guard posts, barracks, telegraph stations, and even underground shelters during the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. It is also a site of difficult history, where local villagers were once mobilized to haul up massive cannons.

Today, the intensity of those days has been replaced by the salty smell of the sea and the sound of the wind rustling through the grass. The buildings are gone, leaving only cold foundation stones, but standing on that ground, I felt as if I could see the gazes of those who must have guarded this place until 1945. The blue waves of Ulleungdo, layered over the pain of the past, calmed my mind.

The Enchantment of a Panorama Encompassing Three Major Scenic Spots

As I stepped onto the two-story octagonal observatory, a breathtaking view unfolded. Beyond the telescope, Gongam (Elephant Rock), Gwaneumdo, and the sharp, rising Samseonam Rocks adorned the sea. The coastal scenery of Buk-myeon is a spectacle that is hard to put into words. Even the distant Jukdo (Island) looked close enough to touch. The East Sea spread out before my eyes, changing its expression every moment from emerald to deep navy, depending on the angle of the sunlight.

The true highlight of this place is the horizon viewed from the observatory. When the sun rises, the sea is dyed red, and at sunset, the world grows quiet as if all noise has been blocked out. On a silent afternoon where the sound of my own footsteps on the deck was particularly distinct, I lingered for a long time, admiring a watercolor painting drawn by nature. Sitting in the resting area and sipping a warm cup of tea I brought with me, I felt like the most peaceful moment of my Ulleungdo trip was complete.

The Joy of Walking, the Comfort of Seokpo Old Trail (Seokpo Yet-gil)

If you want to experience Ulleungdo more deeply, I recommend trekking the Seokpo Old Trail (Seokpo Yet-gil), which connects the Seokpo Observatory to the Naesujeon Sunrise Observatory (Naesujeon Ilchul Jeonmangdae). The crunching sensation of the soil underfoot and the phytoncides exhaled by the dense trees are enough to wash away the fatigue of city life. Walking along the well-maintained path, you realize with your whole body why people call Ulleungdo the 'Mysterious Island.'

There is no specific 'best time' to visit. You can meet the hopeful sunlight in the morning, the dazzling azure sea during the day, and the lyrical sunset in the afternoon. If you are traveling in Buk-myeon, Ulleungdo, I highly recommend visiting. You don't need grand preparations. Just light clothing to welcome the Ulleungdo wind and a relaxed mind to stand where history left its mark and enjoy the peace of today is enough.