Two rocks stand side by side at the far end of a wide sandy shore. For most of the day they look like little more than weathered outcrops, but late in the afternoon, as the sun tilts toward the west, everything changes. The moment the sun slides exactly between Halmibawi (Grandmother Rock) and Harabibawi (Grandfather Rock), Kkotji Beach in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, earns its reputation as one of the West Sea's defining sunset spots.
Why October — Autumn on the West Sea, the Season for Sunsets
Once the summer crowds clear, October brings a gentler light and a cooler breeze that makes spending an entire afternoon on the beach genuinely pleasant. As the days shorten, the sun's angle at dusk aligns perfectly with the gap between the two rocks, and the cooler air means you can walk the sand barefoot without discomfort — something impossible in the peak of summer. Kkotji Beach was designated National Natural Heritage Scenic Site No. 69 in 2009, and in 2012 CNN ranked it second on its list of Korea's most beautiful scenic spots. That reputation feels most alive during October.
Halmibawi and Harabibawi — What You Will See
The two rocks sit at the southern end of the beach. At low tide the sea retreats far enough to expose a sandbar connecting them, and you can walk out to the rocks on foot. Whether the path is open depends entirely on the tide schedule, so check the official Taean County tide table before you visit. Even when the water is in, the view from the beach makes a striking composition on its own — but walking up close to the rocks is only possible at low tide.
The beach itself stretches approximately 5 km in length and 300 m in width. It is open year-round with no admission fee and requires no advance booking. In front of the rocks there is a reflective photo zone called Infinity Studio, fitted with lighting that draws visitors hoping to capture mirror-image sunset shots.
Getting There — A Day Trip from Seoul Is Feasible
By car from Seoul or the wider capital region, take the West Coast Expressway and exit at either Hongseong IC or Seosan IC, then follow signs toward Anmyeondo Island. Kkotji Beach sits roughly in the middle of Anmyeondo and is most commonly reached via the coastal road along Provincial Route 603. By public transport, take an express bus from Seoul's Central City Bus Terminal toward Taean or Anmyeondo and transfer to a local county bus near the terminus — but note that local bus intervals are infrequent, making a car significantly more convenient. A large parking lot sits directly in front of the beach.
Visitor Tips — How Not to Miss the Sunset
In October, sunset falls around 5:30 p.m. Aim to arrive at least one hour before that to choose your spot. The 30 minutes immediately before sunset are when the light shifts through its most vivid range of colours. The second half of October, when weekend visits overlap with autumn foliage season, draws notably larger crowds; a weekday visit will be considerably more relaxed. Korea Flower Park (코리아플라워파크) is located nearby and is a popular pairing for visitors who want to combine autumn blooms with the sunset. Because the beach is free to enter and open all day, many visitors simply arrive mid-afternoon, walk the full length of the shore, and stay on to watch the light fade — which is why Kkotji Beach continues to appear in searches for October day trips from Seoul.
