Namparang Trail (Yeosu Section)

The 'Namparang Trail' is a 1,470 km walking trail that stretches from Oryukdo Island in Busan Metropolitan City to the end of the land in Haenam County, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. A path of youth walked with the romance of the night sea, Yeosu, called the Naples of Korea, is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is a multi-island sea where about 400 small islands float like a picture. The Yeosu section of the Namparang Trail, which walks along this beautiful coastal city, connects Yeongchwisan Mountain, Yeosu Marine Park, Soho-dong Dongdong Bridge, and Nangdo Island, where you can feel the romance of Yeosu.

Details

Yeosu Yeongchwisan Mountain

Yeongchwisan Mountain, spanning Samil-dong and Sangam-dong in Yeosu, is a low mountain with an elevation of 510m. Although its terrain is neither magnificent nor high, Yeongchwisan is famous nationwide because it is the mountain where you can see the azaleas that dye the entire mountain red in spring the earliest in the country. Along with Hwawangsan in Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, and Muhaksan in Masan, Gyeongnam, it is counted as one of the three major azalea colonies in the country. Tens of thousands of 30-40 year old azalea trees grow naturally in colonies spanning about 330,000 square meters,
Every April, the whole mountain burns red.
Climbing Yeongchwisan Mountain is low enough that any course can be completed in about 4 hours, making it suitable for a family hike. The course where you can best enjoy the royal azaleas starts from the forest road above Honamjeongyu or Sangam Elementary School, passes the 450m peak, goes up to the summit of Yeongchwisan, descends to Bongujaee, and climbs again to Jinraebong. From Jinraebong, it passes the helipad and the 439m peak, turns right at the fork, and descends to Heungguksa Temple. When doing an overnight hike, you start from Heungguksa Temple in the reverse course above. From the 450m peak to the summit is where the royal azaleas are most worth seeing, but the path can be rough, and it can be dangerous if you pass through this area when it is dark, so you must adjust your hiking time well.
Every April, Yeongchwisan Mountain hosts the Azalea Festival. During the festival, various events such as the Yeongchwisan Mountain Spirit Ritual, Youth Essay Contest, Photo Contest, Azalea Lady Selection Contest, and local food offerings provide visitors who come to see the azaleas with things to see and eat. The name Yeongchwisan is thought to be derived from Vulture Peak in India, where Sakyamuni gave his final sermon. Some hiking maps of Yeongchwisan divide it into Yeongchwisan and Jinryesan, and the National Geographic Information Institute officially changed the mountain's name on May 17, 2003, but people still customarily use Yeongchwisan, the name of the 439m peak, as the name of the mountain.
Yeongchwisan Mountain, the main mountain of the Yeosu Peninsula, has long been recognized by local residents as a sacred mountain where rain rituals and prayers were held. Geumseongdae, a traditional prayer site, is located here, and below it, Dosolam Hermitage, a prayer sanctuary, was built and has been passed down to this day. According to Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam and Honam Yeosu Eupji, Dosolam Hermitage and a rain altar were recorded as being very efficacious, and it is said that local magistrates performed rain rituals and left rain poems, continuing this tradition until the late Joseon Dynasty. Also, on the broad slopes of Yeongchwisan Mountain lies Heungguksa Temple, which, as the name suggests, was established to pray for the prosperity of the nation and was founded in 1195 (the 25th year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo) by State Preceptor Bojo. Within Heungguksa Temple, cultural assets such as the Daeungjeon Hall (Treasure), the Daeungjeon Rear Buddha Painting (Treasure), the Wontongjeon Hall, and the Palsangjeon Hall remain. In addition, Heungguksa Temple is famous for having the only monk-soldier navy during the Imjin War, where about 300 monk-soldier sailors trained within the temple. Standing at the 510m-high summit, one can see the large and small islands and fishing boats of the South Sea at a glance, and Gwangyang Bay, Yeocheon Industrial Complex, and to the northeast, Baegunsan Mountain in Gwangyang and Myodo Island are clearly visible.

Heungguksa Temple (Yeosu)

As the name Heungguksa suggests, it is a temple established to pray for the prosperity of the nation, meaning "if the nation prospers, the temple prospers." In the deep forest of Yeongchwisan Mountain near the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, Heungguksa Temple, founded in 1195 (the 25th year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo) by State Preceptor Bojo, contains cultural assets such as Daeungjeon Hall, Wontongjeon Hall, and Palsangjeon Hall. Heungguksa Daeungjeon (Treasure) is characterized by lattice doors that can be fully opened, and the Daeungjeon Rear Buddha Painting is designated as a Treasure, and the elegant appearance of Honggyo Bridge at the entrance of Heungguksa fully demonstrates its value as a treasure. In addition, there are 7 more items including the Daeungjeon Rear Buddha Painting (Yeongsan Hoesangdo), the Nosana Buddha Gwaebultaeng, the Suwol Gwaneumdo, the 16 Arhat Painting, the Wooden Sakyamuni Buddha Triad, the Yeosu Heungguksa Bronze Bell, the Wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Triad, the Ten Kings Statues, and enshrined relics. Heungguksa is also famous as the place where about 300 monk-soldier sailors trained within the temple grounds during the Imjin War. Every year for one month from early April, Yeongchwisan Mountain burns with red light. The ridge leading from behind Heungguksa Daeungjeon to Yeongchwibong Peak at 439m and Jillyebong Peak at 510m is entirely covered with azalea colonies bursting into bloom with blood-red passion, creating a spectacular sight. During this period, the Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival is held.

Odongdo Island

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When you think of Yeosu, Odongdo Island comes to mind, and when you think of Odongdo, camellia flowers come to mind — it is an island so famous for its camellias. It is also the starting point and endpoint of Hallyeohaesang National Park. If you park your car in the parking lot at the entrance of Odongdo, which is only about 10 minutes by car from downtown Yeosu, and walk about 15 minutes along the 768m-long breakwater path, you will arrive at Odongdo.
On the island with an area of 125,620.4m² (38,000 pyeong), over 200 species of evergreen trees such as camellias and bamboo grow so densely that they block the sky. In addition, within the 16,529m² (about 5,000 pyeong) lawn plaza, there are flower beds planted with over 70 species of wildflowers and a commemorative tree-planting garden, making it useful as a nature learning ground for children. The approximately 3,000 camellia trees covering the entire island begin to bloom one or two flowers as early as October, so red flowers can be seen even in midwinter. And around mid-February, about 30% bloom, reaching its peak around mid-March. The trails spreading like a spider web across the island are popular as a date course for lovers, and at the sashimi restaurants in the comprehensive shopping center, you can taste fresh fish just caught from the nearby South Sea.
Transportation into the island from the entrance of Odongdo includes the Camellia Train, cruise boats, and motorboats. Cruise boats and motorboats depart from the dock at the entrance of Odongdo and allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the coast around Odong, as well as Byeongpungbawi Rock, Yonggul Cave, and Jibungbawi Rock

Goso-dong Mural Village

Gosodong Mural Village is the oldest natural village in Yeosu, situated on a hill where you can take in the sea, Dolsan Bridge, and Geobukseon Bridge at a glance. It is also a historic place where Admiral Yi Sun-sin of Chungmugong devised strategies and issued orders during the Imjin War. With the 2012 Yeosu Expo as a turning point, Yeosu City and the residents of Gosodong joined forces to fill the walls with murals and turned the area into a tourist attraction by making use of its geographical advantages. The path from Jinnamgwan through the Gosodong hill to Yeosu Maritime Park is 1,004 m long, so it is also called the Angel Mural Alley. The alley is divided into 7 sections, and the murals depict stories related to the 'ocean', the theme of the Yeosu Expo, as well as the history, culture, and scenery of the Yeosu area, and paintings of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his naval forces. There is an observation rest area, so it is a good place to sit for a moment and catch your breath. The Chungmugong Great Victory Monument Pavilion located within the village is also a sight not to be missed. Here you can find the Jwasuyeong Great Victory Monument (Tongjei Gong Naval Great Victory Monument, Treasure), which commemorates Admiral Yi Sun-sin's military achievements, and the Tarubi (Treasure), which honors the admiral's virtues. At the end of the mural alley is Yeosu Maritime Park. A favorite weekend outing spot for Yeosu citizens, it is especially beautiful at night.

Yi Sunsin Square

Yi Sun-sin Square in Jungang-dong, Yeosu City is a place with many things to see where you can see and feel historical sites, such as materials about Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who led the Imjin War to victory, and introductions to the righteous armies of that time. The square is the starting point of a historical and cultural tourism belt linked to nearby historic sites such as Jinnamgwan Hall, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin made operational plans and issued military orders, and every May the 'Turtle Ship Festival', the oldest patriotic culture festival in Korea, is held here. The most eye-catching structure here is the turtle ship reproduced close to its circular form. It is not simply made to look like the exterior; it was designed so that the interior can also be viewed. When you enter the interior of the turtle ship, you can feel the dynamic appearance of the naval soldiers and vivid scenes from the Imjin War, and you can also try simple experiences. The turtle ships that played an active role in the war were built as three vessels, one each at the Jeolla Left Naval Station, Bangdapjin, and the Suncheon-bu shipyard, and the location where the turtle ship is now is exactly where the Jeolla Left Naval Station shipyard was. On one side of Yi Sun-sin Square, there are murals depicting the life of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the course of the Imjin War. Every Saturday, permanent performances such as the naval soldiers' departure ceremony, Ganggangsullae, and performances by the city choir are held.

Soho Dongdong Bridge

A deck promenade on the water where you can walk while enjoying the wonderful night view of the night sea, a 742 m beach promenade built over the sea

Nangdo Island

It is said that Nangdo was named using the character for wolf (狼) because the shape of the island resembles a fox. The beach on Nangdo is suitable for family tourists to enjoy swimming and camping, and Sado Island, neighboring Nangdo, is an island with various things to see, such as the Korean version of the miracle of Moses connecting seven islands — Jeungdo, Chudo, Jangsado, Nakkeut, Yeonmok, and Jungdo — as well as dinosaur footprints and columnar joints.

Nangdo Port

Nangdo is a small island located between Hwayang-myeon in Yeosu City and Yeongnam-myeon in Goheung County. Previously, access to the island was only possible by boat, but with the opening of the land bridge and island bridge connecting the mainland and the island, access has become more convenient. Nangdo Port on Nangdo Island is a national fishing port that was used as an advance base for fishing, serving as a place where fishing boats take emergency refuge during bad weather.
After the connection to the mainland, many tourists continue to visit to buy the local specialty, Nangdo makgeolli, or to enjoy the beautiful nature of Nangdo Port. In the future, it is planned to be reorganized into a tourist area with a passenger pier and seafood market.