Sagot Beach

Sagot Sandy Beach on Baengnyeong Island is a unique coastal landform formed along the southwestern and southeastern shores of Yonggipo Port. At first glance, it appears to be a sandy beach, but it is actually a sand beach (砂濱) created by a thick accumulation of **quartzite powder**. During low tide, a vast sand beach approximately 2 km in length and 200 m in width is exposed, at which time the ground becomes so firm that it is used as a roadway and even allows for the takeoff and landing of military transport aircraft. Sagot Sandy Beach is a natural swimming beach located on the southeastern coast of Baengnyeong Island, the northernmost point of the West Sea. Surrounding it is Yonggiwonsan Mountain (elevation 136 m), and behind the beach, a pine forest zone about 20 m high and a colony of rugosa roses blend together, creating a cool and exotic landscape. This site, along with Naples in Italy, is one of only two places in the world with such a rare topographical and geological structure, and in recognition of its value, it was designated a Natural Monument in 1997. It was used as a military airfield from the time of the Korean War until recently, and until early 1989, it was a military control zone with restricted civilian access. After access restrictions were lifted, it became widely known as a summer resort, and it is now used only as a beach.