Jindo Sea Parting

Known as the 'Mysterious Sea Road', this is a phenomenon in which the sea appears to part when the tide goes out. It occurs when the positions of the moon and sun exert a strong pull on the earth, exposing the shallow seabed here above the water; the road reaches 2.8 km in length and 10–40 m in width. Because of the effect of ocean currents, a layer of sand has built up on the seabed, becoming firm enough for large vehicles to drive on when the water recedes. This sea-parting phenomenon, which lasts about an hour, became a worldwide topic after Pierre Landy, the French Ambassador to Korea, visited in 1975 to see the condition of the Jindo dog and, on witnessing it, described it in a French newspaper as 'Korea's Moses Miracle'. Residents of Jindo hold the Yeongdeungje ritual in spring (February–April) and autumn (September–October), when the sea road opens widest, praying to Grandmother Bbong, the village's guardian deity, and the Dragon King for a bountiful catch and harvest. There are about 20 places across the country where this sea-parting phenomenon can be seen, including Muchangpo in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, but the sea road at Jindo is the largest in scale.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jindo, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Scenic Site · 명승