The layered rock formations at Chaeseokgang were created approximately 70 million years ago during the Mesozoic Era.
The name 'Chaeseokgang' derives from a legendary pool in China where the poet Li Bai is said to have attempted to scoop up the reflection of the moon.
The park's unique topography is a result of complex sea-level changes and tectonic activity during the late Cretaceous period.
The site acts as a living geology classroom, displaying clear evidence of faulting and wave erosion in sedimentary layers.
Byeonsanbando National Park's Gyeokpo District centers on the iconic Chaeseokgang Cliff, a massive coastal geological formation composed of thousands of stacked sedimentary rock layers resembling piled books. These Cretaceous-period sedimentary rocks were formed by sea water erosion over millions of years along the Gyeokpo Port shoreline. The area serves as a significant site for sedimentological research due to its distinct, rhythmic stratification. Visitors can traverse the shoreline at low tide to observe the intricate folding patterns in the cliff walls and wave-cut platforms. The district provides direct access to the adjacent Gyeokpo Beach, characterized by fine sand and relatively shallow depths. It is the only national park in South Korea that encompasses both mountainous and coastal topography.
The base of the Chaeseokgang sea caves during the golden hour to capture the texture of the sedimentary strata.
Check local tide tables before your visit, as the most impressive cliff formations are only safely accessible and visible during low tide.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear, as the coastal rocks and sea-cut platforms can be extremely slippery and uneven.
Explore the entire shoreline loop to see both the sedimentary cliffs and the contrast of the nearby sandy beach.
Visiting during high tide when the primary coastal paths are submerged and inaccessible.
Do not climb on the protected cliff faces or remove any rock fragments, as this is a strictly protected geological monument.
