Sometimes, travelling slowly means heading to random places you have never heard of before. Those places you will end up repeating a thousand times to your friends and relatives. “Where are you again?” “Where did you say Cristina is?” “Is it even a city?”
So, today we will talk about Yeosu. Yes, it’s a city, and yes, it exists. Even though it is mostly unknown to non-Koreans, I think it’s a great place to get a glimpse of modern Korean culture.
The best way to reach this city is by train, stopping at the Yeosu Expo station. Instead of heading to the heart of Yeosu, roughly 30 minutes by bus, I highly suggest staying in this area as this is where all the fun is!
Here are a few things I recommend doing in Yeosu, plus a few common questions that may help you organise your trip.
5 Things To Do In Yeosu
Go For A Hike
If there is one thing I love about this city, it’s its nature. Yeosu is located in a natural lagoon, surrounded by several hills diving into the sea. How to resist the temptation to climb one?
I personally opted for the Gubongsan (in Korean 구봉산) for the simple reason that it was the closest to my apartment. This is the best way to get the perfect view over the lagoon and the city while spending a day in nature without having to go too far.
Check Out Gyodong Market
I firmly believe there is no better place to learn about a culture than visiting the place where people go to buy their food and clothes.
In all honesty, there is not much to say about this market. Just stroll around its streets and see whether there is any food you’d like to try or a souvenir you want to bring home.
This place is super close to the Panokseon and the Angel Mural Village, so you won’t need too much effort to reach it.
Get A Lift On The Cable Car
One of the best things you can do at Yeosu is travel by cable car from one hill to another. In all honesty, I didn’t. Mainly because I was in the mood to walk and didn’t want to take any shortcuts. However, I saw the cable car above my head while crossing Geobukseon Bridge, and I bet the view from up there is stunning.
Today (December, 2024), the cable car is quite affordable as a return ticket for an adult costs 17,000 won, about 11.30 euros. You can check all the information on the official website. If you decide to go, leave a comment and let me know whether you enjoyed it!
Stroll Through The Streets Of The Angel Mural Village
This little neighbourhood impressed me with its creative murals. Here, you will find colourful graffiti in all kinds of styles, from more childish drawings to landscapes that seemed to be created by skilful artists.
There are no skyscrapers here, but only cute colourful houses with the sea serving as background. The neighbourhood is also home to two churches, but if you’re used to European architecture, they probably won’t impress you.
At the top of the little hill on which the neighbourhood extends, you will also find a garden with a colourful temple inside housing the tallest stele in Korea. This was created back in 1615 to commemorate the achievements of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a sort of local hero renowned for his amazing military skills.
As often happens in history, it is unclear how many victories he managed to collect against the Japanese Navy, but he’s credited with incredible accomplishments. It is widely believed that he managed to beat the enemy’s fleet, counting at least 133 vessels, with only 13 ships in the battle of Myeongnyang. How? The Panokseon vessels played a crucial role.
Enter An Old Vessel
Most people in the West have no idea of the history of Korea, myself included. Just like in Europe, it seems that different populations tried to conquer each other’s lands for centuries, so in 1592, the Japanese arrived on the coast of Korea to conquer it.
The invasion lasted from 1592 to 1598, and it was thanks to Yi Sun-sin and the Panokseon vessels (yes, the ones we mentioned above) that Korea managed to win over the Japanese Navy. But what was so special about these boats? Their multiple decks! Rowers and other personnel who did not fight worked between the lower and the upper deck, while the warriors stayed on the upper deck. This allowed them to attack the Japanese fleet from a higher point, giving them a considerable vantage point.
If you are curious about visiting one of these vessels, you can do so at Yi Sun-Sin Square. The entry is free, and while you’ll be able to walk the whole vessel in less than ten minutes, it’s still a unique experience, giving a clear idea of how these ships were structured and how those who worked there lived.
A few common FAQs About Yeosu
How Can I Reach Yeosu?
Yeosu-Si is located in the very south of the country. But no need to panic if you’re in Seoul! Korea is relatively small, so you can easily reach this place by train from basically everywhere. It took me about three hours from Seoul. If you don’t know how to book your train ticket, I suggest Trip.com. They charge an extra fee, but you can be 100% sure you will get your ticket and won’t have to worry about anything.
When shall I visit Yeosu?
I went to Yeosu in November of the fall. I loved the colourful foliage, and – except for a few days – the weather was nice, especially for the first few weeks of the month when temperatures were still high. Despite this, if you’re coming during this period, bring a jacket!
What is Yeosu best known for?
Yeosu is known for its beautiful nature and seafood. (Unfortunately, I cannot give an opinion on the latter as I follow a vegetarian diet, but I can assure you, you’ll find plenty).
How much time do you spend in Yeosu?
The weekend will surely be enough, however, if you would like to travel slowly – as I do! – to get the chance to try all the available hikes and avoid getting overly stressed rushing from one destination to the next, you can spend up to five days here exploring different neighbours, natural areas, and cafés.
This was all for today!
Let me know if you decide to visit Yeosu, and don’t hesitate to send me your questions.
Chat soon,
Cristina
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