Yeosu is a southern coastal city that comes alive after dark, when its harbor lights spill across the water. The night view is famous enough that a K-pop hit was written about it. Ride the maritime cable car over the sea, walk the causeway to Odongdo Island, and eat some of the freshest seafood on the peninsula.
Most foreign travelers still skip Yeosu, which is exactly why it's worth the detour off the usual circuit.
What to see and do
- Yeosu Maritime Cable Car — glass-floor cabins glide over the sea between Dolsan and the mainland. Ride it after dark for the full effect.
- Odongdo — a small camellia island reached by a seaside causeway walk, or a short ride on the little "dolphin train."
- Dolsan Park & Bridge — the classic vantage point for Yeosu's lit-up night skyline.
- Hyangiram Hermitage — a cliffside temple on the tip of Dolsan with sunrise views out to sea.
- Expo waterfront & Big-O show — the 2012 Expo site, at its liveliest on summer evenings.
What to eat
Yeosu is a serious seafood town. Look for gat-kimchi (mustard-leaf kimchi), seodae hoe (raw sole), grilled jangeo (eel), and gulguksu (oyster noodles). The gat-kimchi in particular is a local point of pride.
Getting around
The KTX runs straight to Yeosu-Expo Station near the waterfront. The center is walkable, but you'll want buses or taxis to reach Dolsan Island, the cable car and Hyangiram.
When to go
The warm months from May to October are best for the harbor, islands and night views. Camellias bloom on Odongdo in late winter and early spring.
Insider tip
See the harbor at night from the cable car or Dolsan Bridge. This is the after-dark view that inspired the song, and it draws far smaller crowds than Busan.
