Yeosu
South KoreaCfa
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
夕陽이 아름다운 도시 | The city of beautiful sunsets
Why visit
The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car, with glass-floor crystal cabins, crosses 1.5 km between Dolsan Park and Jasan Park over the harbor and is best at sunset and after dark. Visit the historic Jinnamgwan pavilion (one of Korea's largest single-story wooden buildings, the Joseon-era headquarters of Admiral Yi Sun-sin), Hyangiram Hermitage perched on cliffs at Korea's southern tip for sunrise, and the Aqua Planet aquarium. Take a ferry to Geomundo or Baek-do islands. The illuminated suspension bridges (Dolsan, Yi Sun-sin) and seafront night markets are striking. Try gat kimchi (mustard-leaf kimchi, a regional specialty), grilled clams, and dolsot bibimbap.
When to avoid
Yeosu has become one of Korea's hottest domestic weekend destinations, weekends in summer are crushed and accommodation prices double. Visit on weekdays. Typhoons (July to September) regularly track the southern coast, monitor forecasts. Many of Yeosu's romantic-getaway hotels and pension cabins are couples-oriented. Solo or family travelers may prefer the harbor area. The city is spread out across many islands. Rent a car or use the night-illuminated tour bus. Korean is essential outside major hotels.