Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road: a seaside road at Jeju's western tip along white windmills and emerald water

Along the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, which runs along Jeju's western tip, an offshore wind farm has been built, so you can see windmills standing in a row along the road. The white windmills and emerald sea seen along the winding shoreline make a refreshing scene, and Chagwido comes into view in the distance.

It is fine to drive past, but if you get out and walk for a while, the sea and the windmills feel much closer. The view changes a great deal depending on when you go, so it helps to decide on the time of day first.

White windmills and emerald water

White turbines turning under a clear blue sky seem to refresh even your mood. The road is famous for its sunset views, but the windmills turning along the shore and the blue sea together also make it a popular summer beach drive.

There is plenty to see out on the blue sea, so take your time and let your eyes follow the line of windmills slowly out across the water.

Stand facing the direction where Chagwido is visible, and you can fit the windmills and the island into one frame. When taking photos, don't stand close to the road; shoot from inside the walking path. Even on the same seaside road the water looks a different colour depending on the sky, so comparing the view on a clear day and a cloudy day is fun too.

Photo: Grapesurgeon / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ebb and flow: a different sea every hour

Another charm of the place is that its mood changes with high and low tide, so you can feel a range of scenes depending on the time. At low tide the moss-covered stones create a strange, mysterious air, and at high tide the water rises right up to the base of the wind turbines, so sea and sky join in one blue sweep.

At high tide, however, water sometimes spills over the course, so take care. Parts are also closed around high tide, so check the tide times before you set off and decide when to walk.

Another way is to pass along the same road twice at different tides. Go by once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and you can see both the sea with its stones exposed and the sea risen high, so the same windmills seem to stand in completely different scenes.

The eco-experience walking course on the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road

Driving along the coastal road, you will find a walking course called the eco-experience area. It has a statue of a longtooth grouper (jabari), a wondam (traditional stone fish trap) experience area and rest spaces, so you can take photos against a variety of backdrops.

The observation deck in the middle of the walking course is generally quiet. Take a few photos as you walk along the coastal road, then head for the deck. Small, medium and large dogs are all allowed, so if you are with your dog, walk with consideration for other visitors.

What to bring before you walk

This is a seaside road, so the wind may be stronger than you expect; bring a light jacket. Non-slip shoes are more comfortable when you cross wet ground or stones. On a day with little shade, it is also a good idea to bring a hat and water to drink.

Photo: Grapesurgeon / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

If you go for the sunset

The Sinchang coastal road is known for its beautiful sunsets, so it is a good spot to take photos and watch the sun go down. Plan to arrive toward sunset and walk the course before the sun sets, and you can wait for it at leisure. The shore gets dark quickly after sunset, so decide on your way back in advance.

Places to see nearby

Another advantage is that there is a lot to see nearby. Well-known sights such as Wollyeong Cactus Village, Panpo Port, the Gosan Weather Observatory at Suwolbong and the Eongal Coast are 10 to 15 minutes away by car, so plan a route and visit them too. If you are combining several places in one day, one order worth considering is to look around the nearby villages and port while the sun is high, then come back to this seaside road toward evening for the sunset. The address is 485 Hangyeonghaean-ro, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

After the sea, a meal in Aewol

If you head toward Aewol after the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, consider adding Mipojip Jeju Aewol to your list of places to eat. Check the travel time and traffic on a map before you set off.

If you want to satisfy the hunger of a day of walking in the sea breeze, take a look at the menu of Mipojip, which serves haemuljang (soy-cured seafood) and sotbap (pot rice). Talking over the sea you saw beneath the windmills during the meal would make for a nice time as well.