Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park, Gangneung
Park · Data as of
Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park in Gangneung is open at all times with no admission fee, home to an hourglass described as the world’s largest in size and weight. The City of Gangneung and Samsung Electronics built it in 1999 to mark the new millennium, and it takes exactly one year for all the sand to fall. At midnight on January 1 of the following year it is turned half a revolution, top to bottom, and starts again. Right in front, the park joins Jeongdongjin Beach, with benches facing the sea. It is open all year; for inquiries, call +82-33-640-4533.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 헌화로 990-1
- Opening hours
- Always open
- Closed
- Open all year
- Admission
- Free
- Contact
- +82-33-640-4533
- Restrooms
- Available
Official information page (Korean)
What is Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park?
Short answer: A small park set against the village of Jeongdongjin 2-ri and the East Sea, with the hourglass at its center.
Pine trees surround the hourglass, and benches face the sea. The park leads straight onto Jeongdongjin Beach.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: Admission is free, and it is always open, every day of the year.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 헌화로 990-1 |
| Opening hours | Always open |
| Closed | Open all year |
| Admission | Free |
| Contact | +82-33-640-4533 |
| Restrooms | Available |
The park is always open, with no closing time. Jeongdongjin Station and Jeongdongjin Beach are close by, so they are easy to combine on foot. For inquiries, call +82-33-640-4533.
What should I see in the park?
Short answer: See the hourglass, then sit on the seaward benches looking toward Jeongdongjin Beach.
The hourglass in the park is the world’s largest in size and weight, and it takes exactly one year for all its sand to fall. When the sand has run out, it is turned half a revolution, top to bottom, at midnight on January 1 of the following year and starts again.
The hourglass is round rather than the usual narrow-waisted gourd shape to symbolize the infinity of time; the round shape stands for the sun rising over the East Sea, and the parallel train rails stand for the eternal flow of time.
Where can I stay near Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park?
Short answer: The closest is 호텔탑스빌 (hotel), about 3 min walk. These are the 3 closest stays within 1 km.
| Stay | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 호텔탑스빌 | Hotel | 232 m | About 3 min walk |
| 오션그레이트펜션 | Pension | 380 m | About 5 min walk |
| 솔게스트하우스 정동진점 | Guesthouse | 668 m | About 8 min walk |
Distances are straight-line distances, so the actual route may be longer; walking times assume 80 m per minute. Select a stay to open its page (in Korean) with check-in times and nearby restaurants and cafés. Property names are shown as officially registered in Korean.
Where can I eat or get coffee near Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park?
Short answer: 5 restaurants between 147 m and 159 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 정동진 보스대게 | Korean | 147 m | About 2 min walk |
| 어부횟집 | Japanese | 156 m | About 2 min walk |
| 산새도횟집 | Japanese | 156 m | About 2 min walk |
| 이모네식당 | Korean | 157 m | About 2 min walk |
| 필식당 | Korean barbecue | 159 m | About 2 min walk |
Select a name to open its page on our restaurant or café guide (in Korean). The small dots on the map also show nearby places that are not in the tables.
See it on the map
The large purple pin is Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park?
Short answer: The closest is Jeongdongjin Station (about 8 min walk), and there are 5 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeongdongjin Station | Railway station | 671 m | About 8 min walk |
| Jeongdongjin Beach | Beach | 671 m | About 8 min walk |
| Deungmyeong Beach | Swimming beach | 2.7 km | About 2.7 km (straight line) |
| Haslla Art World | Sculpture park, art museum | 3.3 km | About 3.3 km (straight line) |
| Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple | Buddhist temple | 3.9 km | About 3.9 km (straight line) |
Who is Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park good for?
- Anyone looking for a short park stop on a Jeongdongjin trip
- Those who want to see the world’s largest hourglass in person
- Anyone who wants to relax with the East Sea as a backdrop
Check before you go
- Leave time to walk to Jeongdongjin Station and the beach
- Check sunrise times for the season
Checklist
- Decide the order for the station and the beach
- If you want to see the sunrise, check the time
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission to Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park?
It is free and always open, every day of the year.
How big is the hourglass?
It is described as the world’s largest in size and weight. It takes exactly one year for all the sand to fall.
When was the park built?
The City of Gangneung and Samsung Electronics built it in 1999 to mark the new millennium.
Where is the closest place to stay near Moraesigye (Hourglass) Park?
Hotel 호텔탑스빌 is the closest (about 3 min walk). Its page, in Korean, shows the check-in time and nearby restaurants and cafés.
Things to do in Gangneung
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Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI, Korean-language tourist information (attraction details) · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
- Official information page · Operator · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
Fees, hours and closing days can change. Please check with the site before you visit.