The Parting of the Sea! An Invitation to the 46th Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival

Hello! This is Jindo, the beautiful island of all seasons, bringing you exciting news. We are here to invite you to one of Jindo's most iconic festivals, the "Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival."

Have you ever wanted to witness the mysterious phenomenon of the sea parting with your own eyes? Today, we're sharing the touching story behind the Jindo Miracle Sea Road, along with the magical schedule for when the sea opens up in 2026.

The Legend of 'Grandma Pong' whose Prayers Parted the Sea

The Jindo Miracle Sea Road is not just a beautiful sight; it's steeped in a heartbreaking and heartwarming legend. This is the story of Grandma Pong, who lived in the village of Hodong (now Hoedong) a long, long time ago.

Grandma Pong's Teardrop-Filled Wait for Her FamilyOnce, due to frequent tiger raids, all the villagers fled to the nearby island of "Modo" for safety. In the rush, Grandma Pong was accidentally left behind. Longing to see her separated family, she prayed day and night to the Dragon King of the sea."Please, let me see my family again..."

A Rainbow Descends on the Sea, and a Miracle HappensTouched by her earnest prayers, the Dragon King appeared in her dream and said, "Tomorrow, I will send a rainbow over the sea, so you can cross it."The next day, when she went to the beach and prayed, a bright path, like a rainbow, miraculously appeared on the sea between Hodong and Modo.

A Bitter-Sweet Reunion, and 'Hoedong'The villagers on Modo, upon hearing the sound of gongs (gwaenggwari) being played from the Hodong village, crossed the parted sea road to find Grandma Pong. Finally reunited with her family, Grandma Pong said, "Through my prayers, the sea path opened, and I met you. Now I have no regrets." With those words, she passed away, exhausted from her efforts.To commemorate her, the villagers renamed the village from "Hodong" (meaning "Tiger Valley") to "Hoedong" (meaning "Returning Valley"), believing that her wish to be reunited had brought everyone back.

The World-Renowned Modern-Day Moses' Miracle

The Jindo Miracle Sea Road, the setting of this touching story, is a natural phenomenon where the sea between Hoedong-ri in Gogun-myeon and Modo-ri in Uisin-myeon parts for about 2km, due to tidal differences. This usually happens around the end of the second lunar month when the water level is at its lowest, creating a 30-40 meter wide path on the sea.

In 1975, Pierre Landy, the French Ambassador to South Korea, witnessed this strange phenomenon while visiting to see the Jindo Dog, a natural monument. He introduced it in a French newspaper as the "Modern-Day Moses' Miracle," making it known worldwide. In 1996, Japanese singer Tendo Yoshimi's hit song, 'Jindo Story,' further boosted its popularity, drawing many Japanese tourists.

Today, this ancient custom has evolved into a festival where a ritual is held to pray for a good catch and the fulfillment of wishes, and the people of Hoedong and Modo come together to collect clams and octopuses, and enjoy themselves for the day.

📅 The Magical Moments of 2026!

So, when can you witness this mystical sight in 2026? We are sharing the 'Schedule for when the Jindo Miracle Sea Road Opens in 2026', provided by Jindo County.