Recommended travel course: Sihwa Village & Bori Madang – Enjoy sunset & nightscape view from Yudalsan Mountain – Gatbawi Sea Cliff and Tafoni – Mokpo Skywalk

Mokpo is one of the oldest port cities in Jeollanam-do, offering much to see and things to do. The city is also renowned for its scenic view in daytime as well as the evening attractions. Follow this recommended course to appreciate the beauty of Mokpo both day and night!

Sihwa Village & Bori Madang in Seosan-dong

The clustered houses in Seosan-dong, a small neighborhood at the foot of Yudalsan Mountain, was home for the village’s fishermen. Before that, the whole area was a vast barley field. This small fishing village was colorfully decorated thanks to the support and cooperation of local artists and the community as a part of the Seosan-dong Sihwa Alley Development Project. The tour course begins at Yeonhee’s Supermarket, which made an appearance in the movie “1987: When the Day Comes (2017).”

Yeonhee’s Supermarket preserves the old-fashioned look both in and out, from the faded sign board to the items on display. The store itself is like a time machine for those who lived and remember the 1980s in Korea.

Look closer at the murals of Sihwa Alley and you’ll notice some of the artworks come with a poem. These works were all drawn and written by the local residents who live here.

Follow the winding uphill alleyways and you’ll soon reach Bori Madang, which can be translated as barley yard. Before the alleyways were settled with houses, the area was used as a threshing floor for the harvested barley, hence the name.

What was once a threshing floor is now a children’s playground. Continue the path uphill and you’ll be greeted by an unobstructed view of the ocean. The alley on the opposite side leads to another ocean viewpoint called “Babo Madang,” short for “ocean-view yard” in Korean. There are cafés and an art gallery by Babo Madang.

Walking along Sihwa Alley and taking in the refreshing ocean view from Bori Madang are perfect for starting off your adventure in Mokpo.

Sunset from Yudalsan Mountain

The most well-known mountain in Mokpo is Yudalsan Mountain, which has a relatively low elevation of 228 meters. The mountain is situated at the southwest endpoint of the Korean peninsula, allowing whoever reaches the summit to immerse in the panoramic view of the blue sea and the archipelago nearby. The sunset and evening lights along the port are other gorgeous sights to behold from the mountain’s summit.

In the past, the scenic view was a reward to those who had hiked up to the mountain’s summit from Nojeokbong Peak. However, it is much easier now as spectators can take a cable car from Yudalsan platform and walk up the stairway for approximately 20 to 30 minutes to reach the summit.

The daytime view from the summit is beautiful, but the view of the sunset beyond Mokpodaegyo Bridge is simply breathtaking. After sunset, the bridge lights up and its reflection glistens over the water.

Gatbawi Sea Cliff and Tafoni

Gatbawi Sea Cliff and Tafoni, or collectively known as Gatbawi Rock, have long been a tourist attraction that represents Mokpo. The rock cliffs were named due to their resemblance of two human forms wearing a satgat, a traditional hat made of woven reeds or bamboos usually worn by men in the past.

The rock formation is the work of nature through weathering and erosion caused by ocean waves and winds.

You can get a nice front view from the footbridge that face Gatbawi rocks. The sight becomes even more mesmerizing especially at sunset when the golden sunlight reflects off the cliffs and water. Even after dark, the attraction continues to present a beautiful sight thanks to the lighting displays installed around the rocks and the footbridge.

Mokpo Skywalk

Mokpo Skywalk is an attraction in Yudal Recreation Area. The skywalk is built to send shivers down your spine with two-thirds of the 54-meter long walkway consisting of transparent glass and steel mesh, allowing you to see right through of what’s under your feet from 15 meters above ground.

On clear sunny days, you can get great photos with Gohado Island and Mokpo Bridge in the background. The skywalk is also an excellent place to view the sunset over the west coast.

Source: KTO 9suk9suk
Article & photo credit: Son Chang-hyun

See original article (Korean)

* This column was last updated in November 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.