main contents

KOREA

Refresh the Mind and Body in Romantic Yeosu

Beautiful maritime city of Yeosu, located on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Welcomes Travelers

¡°Night sea of Yeosu, its lights contain a beautiful story
I¡¯d like to tell it to you, calling to ask what you¡¯re doing
I¡¯m now at the night sea of Yeosu, night sea of Yeosu
I want to walk it with you. Walk along this sea with you.¡±
- lyrics from ¡°Night Sea of Yeosu¡± by Busker Busker -

Which came first? The reputation of Yeosu¡¯s beautiful night view, or the hit song ¡°Night Sea of Yeosu?¡± Whichever it was, the Yeosu at night is a sight not to be missed. It has been selected as one of the top 10 views in a Korean coastal city. As the summer holiday season is soon upon us, we recommend the city of Yeosu, filled with sights and activities, to drive away the summer heat. Find out whether Yeosu is more beautiful at night or in daylight.

Written by Park Ji-yeon   Photographed by Studio Kenn  
Illustrated by Hagogo

Viewing the Sea From Above

This city hosted the 2012 Yeosu Expo, which drew 8.2 million visitors who enjoyed a wide array of performances and events against the backdrop of the wide open sea. After creating an unforgettable summer in 2012, Yeosu is back in the spotlight. Walk along the Waterside Park with the sea all around you, or enjoy the many maritime recreational activities on offer. Most importantly, the night view of the Yeosu coastline, celebrated in song by the popular band Busker Busker, ignites romance and fantasy in the soul. The bright lights of Yeosu city create an embroidery over the night sea, drawing numerous visitors hoping to catch the famed sight.

The night sea of Yeosu begins to light up with the sunset. The setting sun colors the sea in gorgeous hues, creating an unforgettable sight when viewed from the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car. When the sun finally sets, Yeosu¡¯s unique beauty is unleashed. The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is the first of its kind in Korea, connecting an island to the mainland over the sea. It is only the fourth maritime cable car in East Asia, after ones in Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam. Now you can experience the thrill of floating over the sea, soaring high up in the sky, in Korea, as well, feeling the beauty of the sky and sea all around you.

When the sun has set and darkness descends, the beautiful lights of Dolsandaegyo Bridge, Geobukseondaegyo Bridge, Janggundo Island and the Maritime Park are sprinkled over the night sea. Over 13 million visitors come yearly to see this spectacle, so make sure you don¡¯t miss it when visiting Yeosu.

Aqua Planet Yeosu

Aqua Planet Yeosu, opened in 2012 with the Yeosu Expo. It¡¯s a landmark institution that attracts over 1 million visitors each year. The eco-friendly aquarium was the most popular attraction at the 2012 Yeosu Expo and continued operating even after the expo closed. It continues to showcase the diversity of the marine ecosystem. Aqua Planet Yeosu has a large 6,000-t tank, the second largest in East Asia after the one at Aqua Planet Jeju.

Divers greet children while swimming in the aquarium and interacting with the marine life. The Aqua Fantasy Show brings together marine life and visitors in a celebration of biodiversity. The mascots of Aqua Planet are three rare beluga whales who perform stunning tricks to awed spectators, while other stars among its cast of 3,000 marine animals across 280 species include a Baikal seal and piranhas.
The main tank, the Deep Blue Sea, has a viewing area 16-m wide and 6-m tall, larger than screens in movie theaters. Here, three ¡°mermaids¡± lead the audience into a world of fantasy. They are the Marine Girls, comprising of performers from the national synchronized swimming team who perform beautiful moves underwater to cheery music. The Alive Museum, where visitors can watch feeding shows featuring dandy penguins, sleepy otters, shy harbor seals and fearsome piranhas, amidst the engaging visual illusions, is also not to be missed.

Ocean Railbike

The Yeosu Ocean Railbike is operated on a 3.5-km converted railway that features pedal rail bikes, providing an unobstructed view of the water. These were the first pedal rail bikes in Korea, running along the coastline over its entire course, with unobstructed sea views all along the way. The entire railway is a treat for the eyes, with various tunnels that add variety to the coastal route. In particular, a spectacular LED display awaits you at the Marae Tunnel. From the pedal rail bikes, Odongdo Island and the South Sea appear close enough to reach out and touch. The mood becomes more romantic when the sun sets, with sparkling lights dotting the sea.
The rail bikes there, available for rent, have been specially designed not just for aesthetics but also to ensure safety and comfort. The distance between the pedals and seats in these ergonomic bikes can be adjusted to users¡¯ bodies, making them accessible to both young and old. They are also perfect for private travelers as well as those engaged in corporate activities, school trips and field trips, being able to take many people simultaneously.

Be it spring, summer, fall or winter, pedal rail bikes offer a unique experience for each season, with wholly new scenery each time.

Create unforgettable memories with friends and family as you work up a sweat and then let it dry off in the cool breeze.

Trip Points

Odongdo Island, a Destination for All Seasons

This island is located just 10 minutes from central Yeosu, and is connected to the mainland by a 768-m long breakwater, making it accessible on foot and by the Camellia Train, which starts at the end of the breakwater. This road is one of Korea¡¯s top 100 most beautiful roads, and is managed as part of the Hallyeohaesang National Park. The 3,000 camellia trees that cover the island start to bloom in January and reach full bloom in March.
The theme park on Odongdo Island contains a 25-m high lighthouse, a musical fountain and a barefoot park. The Odong Lighthouse, which began operating in 1952, not only serves as a guide to ships going to and fro between the ports. of Yeosu and Gwangyang, but also as a tourist destination welcoming some 2 million visitors a year. The 2.5 km walking path has camellias in full bloom that form the perfect background for a romantic walk. The rocky coast stretches along the maze-like path, offering breathtaking views of unique rock formations, too, such as the Byeongpung Bawi, Sora Bawi, Jibung Bawi and the Kokkiri Bawi rocks.

Dazzling Sunrise Over Hyangiram Hermitage

The Hyangiram Hermitage (ú¾ìíäÝ) is one of Korea¡¯s four major Buddhist sites, and is located on the rocky cliffs of Geumosan Mountain, at the tip of Dolsando Island. It was founded by the monk Wonhyo (¿øÈ¿, êªüû) (617-686), under the name of the Wongtongam Hermitage (ê­÷×äÝ). Then, its name was changed to the Geumoam Hermitage (ÑÑè¨äÝ) in the early 1000s. The Hyangiram Hermitage is also called either the Geumoam or the Yeongguam. The name Geumo comes from the character for geum (±Ý, ÑÑ), meaning gold, and o (¿À, è§), meaning a large sea turtle, while Yeonggu means ¡°spirit of the turtle.¡± Both names are in reference to the shape of Geumosan Mountain, which resembles a turtle swimming to the underwater palace of Buddhist scriptures, and to the rocks, which resemble turtle shells.
As you walk one-by-one up the long stretch of steps to the Hyangiram Hermitage, feeling the air fill your lungs to capacity, perhaps you could learn to lay down the burdens of your daily life. The deep blue South Sea, sparkling under the light of the rising sun, awaits you at Gwaneumjeon Hall.

Sado Island, the Rocky Island

Sado Island used to be called Saho Island, sa (»ç, ÞÞ) meaning ¡°sand¡± and ho (È£, ûÉ) meaning ¡°lake¡± -- an island of sand in the middle of the sea -- before the restructuring of administrative districts led to the name change.
The paths to the villages on Sado Island are lined with beautiful, low stone walls. The walls are made purely of stone, without any mud. Large and small stones of varying sizes and shapes, ranging from 10- to 50-cm in length and around 50-cm in thickness, have been stacked up and interlocked. The stone walls of Sado Island vary in form, from flat to rounded walls, and together with the stone walls of Chudo Island, constitute an item of Registered Cultural Heritage. Sado Island has an abundance of rocks, which is thought to have given rise to this unique architectural feature. The stone walls create a memorable scene, in harmony with the surrounding nature, and provide important information about the history of life and housing on the islands.

The Sparkling Pebbles of Gaedo Island

The Gaedo Saram-gil, the People¡¯s Road, was given its name because it was used by the people of Gaedo to gather firewood and to drive cattle, and was thus an integral part of the islanders¡¯ lives. The island was first named Gaeyiseom Island in the ¡°War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin,¡± the ¡°Nanjung Ilgi,¡± as Bonghwasan Mountain and Cheonjaebong Peak resembled dog ears when viewed from a distance. In 1914, as place names were given matching traditional Chinese characters, it was renamed Gaedo Island with the character gae (°³, ËÏ) meaning ¡°to cover,¡± as it encompassed all the neighboring islands.
The name mojeon of Mojeon Village on Gaedo Island means ¡°field of thatch,¡± given for the grassy fields that used to cover the village. There is a small pebble beach in front of Mojeon Village, stretching over 600 m. The waters are shallow, making it a good summer destination for families. When the sun rises over the beach, the pebbles glisten in the dazzling rays, creating a sight not to be forgotten.

Travel Tip
  • Tourism Information

    - Tel: 1330 (without area code)

    Tourist Information of Yeosu Website

    Tourism Information Desks
    • Yeosu Expo Station Tourism Information Desk
      - Tel: 061)659-5696
      - Address: 2 Mangyang-ro (Deokchung-dong)
    • Yeosu Airport Tourism Information Desk
      - Tel: 061)659-5699
      - Address: 386 Yeosun-ro (Yulchon-myeon)
    • Yeosu Yeonan Cruise Ship Terminal Tourism Information Desk
      - Tel: 061)659-5707
      - Address: 17 Yeogaekseon terminal-gil (Gyo-dong)
    • Yi Sun-sin Plaza Tourism Information Desk
      - Tel: 061)661-1746
      - Address: 72-16 Jungang-ro (Jungang-dong)
    • Yeosu Tourism Interpretation Information Desk (Korea Association of Travel Agents)
      - Tel: 061)664-8978
      - Address: 131 Odongdo-ro (Sujeong-dong)
    • Odongdo Musical Fountain Tourism Information Desk
      - Tel: 061)659-5708
      - Address: 222 Odongdo-ro (Sujeong-dong)
    • Hyangiram Tourism Information Desk
      - Tel: 061)641-2111
      - Address: 6 Hyangiram-ro (Dolsan-eup)
    Ocean Railbike

    - Address: 187 Mangyang-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do Province

  • - Tel: 061-652-7882
    - Hours:
      10:00 AM~5:00 PM during winter months
      9:00 AM~7:00 PM during summer months

      * Tickets available for sale on site

    Maritime Cable Car

    - Address: 3600-1 Dolsan-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do Province
    - Tel: 061-664-7301
    - Hours:
      9:00 AM~9:30 PM on weekdays, holidays and Sundays
      9:00 AM~10:30 PM on Saturdays

      * Tickets must be purchased at least 1 day in advance
        (Rides are not available on the date of purchase)

List ¡æ
Other Articles
Application of subscription
Sign up
Readers¡¯ Comments
Go
The event winners
Go
list top