By Honorary Reporter Livia Jade Bishop from the United Kingdom
Photos = Livia Jade Bishop

Yeosu in Jeollanam-do Province is one of the southernmost cities of Korea. The region is its own peninsula, which gives it the name Yeosu, meaning “surrounded by beautiful water.” I took a three-day trip from July 11-13 last year to enjoy the beaches, museums, and unique attractions of Yeosu. I found it to be a perfect place to relax and appreciate the beauty of the Korean summer. Even though it has been a year passed I visited, this place gave me such a good memory and I still wish to visit. 

Arte Museum beach room, garden room, and star room

On the first day, I traveled from Seoul to Yeocheon via the KTX. After securing a locker for my luggage at Yeosu Expo Station, I headed to the Arte Museum located in the expo complex. It is an innovative media art gallery with several branches in different cities throughout Korea.

The museum is divided into various sections based on the overarching theme of “Eternal Nature.” My favorite section was the Star and Garden rooms. The Star Room was filled with mirrors and paper lanterns that glowed with various colors. The Garden Room had huge LED screens on which famous works of art and Yeosu-related images were projected.

Yeosu Sky Tower and the view from the Sky Tower cafe

After spending several hours in the museum, I made my way to the Yeosu Sky Tower. Converted from some old cement silos, it is a viewing tower that rises to 67 meters, with an observation deck and café offering panoramic views of the ocean.

Sunset from Odongdo Island

I moved on to the last location of the day -- Odongdo Island. I chose this as my last location because I wanted to enjoy the sunset over the ocean. After making my way through the trees to the end of the island, I was able to experience the stunning sunset over the surrounding ocean and mountains.

Sculpture garden artwork and ocean views

On the second day, I visited Yeosu Art Land early in the morning to take a photo at the “Hand of Midas” sculpture. The sculpture park is located on the edge of a cliff, surrounded by stunning ocean views. The numerous islands in the background make it a picturesque place all around. I had to wait almost 90 minutes and was given only 60 seconds to take a photo on the “Hand of Midas,” but it was worth the wait. I also visited the Trick Eye (Trompe l'Oeil) Museum. It was a unique experience because it was the first time I had visited anything like it.

Experiencing the rope swing

The next location was High Class 153, a café and guest house not far from Art Land. This place has been very popular for its stunning ocean views and the High Swing, on which you can swing over the sea. Seeing the breathtaking views, I had an unforgettable memory on the swing. High Class 153 was a great place to relax and enjoy the night view of Yeosu at the end of the day.

Dolsando Bridge

For my last day in Yeosu, I took a round-trip on the marine cable car from Jasan Station to Dolsan Station. It traveled 1.5 km over the picturesque scenery of Yeosu. Arriving at Dolsando Island, I headed to Dolsan Bridge, where I enjoyed a distant view of the coastline and the city on the mainland.

Moonlight at the Yeosu rooftop photo zone, and a cat mural.

Finally, I visited the Angel Mural Village, a charming location featuring fun murals, unique cafés, and souvenir shops. I visited a café called “Moonlight Yeosu,” which was bunny themed and decorated pink. There was also a photo spot on the rooftop.

I ended my three-day trip by returning to the Yeosu Expo Station. Through this experience, I realized that Yeosu is underrated as a travel destination. I hope that more people will visit Yeosu, a beautiful coastal city full of things to enjoy.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.