Photos = Theresia Kurniawan

I went on an immersive overnight journey on Nov. 10 to Tongyeong, a southern coastal city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, with a group of international content creators. The event was organized by Trazy Korea as the travel organizer and supported by Tongyeong city government. This coincided with the November issue of the Korean Culture and Information Service's monthly webzine Korea, whose theme that month was Tongyeong.

The group left at 8 a.m. from Hongik University Station in Seoul, giving members a break from Seoul's abrupt temperature drop to 1 degree Celsius. The five-hour bus ride to Tongyeong showed the mesmerizing beauty of the city's port, enhanced by the backdrop of clear blue skies. 

The group on Nov. 10 eats (left) haemul ttukbaeki (seafood stew in a hot pot) and sees a gorgeous view (right) of Tongyeong's port from the bus.

Upon arrival around 1 p.m., we had a delectable lunch featuring haemul ttukbaeki, a hot pot brimming with seafood delicacies like abalone, sea snail, prawn, crab and oyster and others new to the participants. This refreshing and flavorsome introduction set the tone for a culinary odyssey.

We then went to Yi Sun-sin Park, which has a prominent statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598), Korea's military hero after whom the park is named. Set against the expansive ocean, the statue with its authoritative posture provided a breathtaking vista and poignant connection to Korea's rich heritage.

This night view of Gangguan Port in Tongyeong is from the observatory of Dongpirang Mural Village.

As the sun began to set, we explored Dongpirang Mural Village. Having gone to many mural villages, my initial expectations were pretty low but this visit exceeded expectations through more than just vibrant murals. Climbing to the village's highest point, I saw a panoramic view of Tongyeong in a visual spectacle like no other.

Walls with visual art adorn the outdoor digital media theme park Dpirang.

The day concluded at Dpirang, an outdoor digital media theme park illuminated by media artworks and captivating light shows to exude a magical ambiance. Holographic fairy creatures set the stage for a captivating journey through visually stunning displays. The park emanates magic that perfectly aligns with the city's tourism tagline "Tonight Tongyeong" as featured in the webzine. My night in the city is how I discovered its sparkling and magical nocturnal charm.

I took a photo of this view of Tongyeong, its surrounding sea and mountain while on a cable car. 

The second day, I rode for the first in my life a cable car that is the longest in Korea at nearly 2 km with a height of 461 m above sea level. The scenic coastal views were nothing short of breathtaking, fueling my newfound appreciation for overcoming my acrophobia.

In hindsight, the cable car ride, complemented by Tongyeong's coastal panorama, was the defining highlight of the visit. The city's nocturnal charm as aptly described in the webzine was the finishing touch to my unforgettable experience.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is 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.