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Located on the tip of Korea's southwestern coastline, Mokpo has a reputation as a small but important port city. The Mokpo city tour takes visitors all over town, stopping at points of interest to allow visitors to explore the areas on foot. The old town area around Mount Yudalsan is of particularly interest, featuring architecture that dates back to the industrialization period of the early 1900s. On Culture Street, popular attractions include Gatbawi, a prominent natural monument, as well as a number of cultural experiences offered at the National Maritime Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Ceramic Livingware Museum, and the Culture Arts Center.
| Visitor Information |
☞ Operating hours: 1 daily departure (departs at 9am, returns at 3pm). * No tours on Mondays
☞ Departure Point: City Tour Bus Stop in front of Mokpo Station
☞ Fare: Adults 3,000 won / Teens (ages 7-18) 1,000 won. (Museum admission fees not included).
☞ Reservations and inquiries: 061-245-3088 (Chowon Travel)
/ 061-270-8430 (Mokpo City Hall)
☞ Online reservation : Mokpo
Citytour (Korean)
(* Reservation required: call or go online to book. Schedule and itinerary may vary according to number of registered participants, inclement weather, etc. Commentary provided by a live Korean-speaking guide. Special request for an English-speaking guide may be made at Mokpo City Hall.)
☞ Korea Travel Phone: +82-61-1330
☞ Mokpo Tourism Official Site (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) |
** Itinerary
Mokpo Station [09:00 departure] – Mokpo Modern History Museum [30 minutes] – National Roads 1 and 2 Starting Points [10 minutes] – Old Consulate of Japan [20 minutes] – Mount Yudalsan [60 minutes] – Samhakdo Islet, Pyeonghwa (Peace) Plaza [60-minute lunch break, meal not provided] – Gatbawi Bohaenggyo Bridge [20 minutes] – Culture Street (National Maritime Museum or Natural History Museum) [70 minutes] – Mokpo Seafood Market [30 minutes free time] – Mokpo Station [arriving at 15:00]
Mokpo Modern History Museum
The photography exhibit at the Modern History Museum is definitely a must-see. The collection of photographs illustrates the changing landscape of Mokpo Port, beginning with its opening in 1897. Photos also depict the lives of Mokpo's citizens during the Japanese colonial rule, one of the most difficult times in recent history. The museum building itself is also historically significant. Built in 1920, it was officially designated a cultural asset in 1999.
* Hours: 09:00~18:00 (Closed on New Year's and Mondays)
* Admission: Free
City where National Roads 1 & 2 Begin
Mokpo also marks the starting point of the two major national roads that revitalized the nation. Korea's first national roads were built in the early 20th century with Mokpo as the point of intersection. National Road 1 stretches north from Mokpo through Seoul and up to Sinuiju, while National Road 2 originates in Mokpo before heading east to Busan.
Mount Yudalsan
Located in the heart of the city, Mount Yudalsan (228 meters above sea level) offers terrific views of downtown Mokpo, which stretches through the mountain valleys and along the coastline. The surrounding cliffs rise like a folding screen in harmony with the trees. After an invigorating hike, visitors can take a rest at the gazebo near the top of the mountain and survey the sprawling cityscape.
☞ Click here for more on Yudalsan Mountain
Gatbawi Bohaenggyo Bridge
The tour continues with a walk over Bohaenggyo, a pedestrian bridge that leads out over the sea to Gatbawi, a rock appropriately named for its resemblance to a man wearing a gat (cylindrical, traditional Korean hat). Gatbawi is a natural creation resulting from years of erosion by waves and currents. Because of its geological value, the formation was designated as a natural monument. In the past, Gatbawi had only been accessible by ferry; however, since Boyaenggyo Bridge was built in 2008, visitors have been able to make the trip on foot. From Gatbawi, take a stroll along the coastal road and head to Culture Street for a visit to one of the area's many museums.
National Maritime Museum
Located on the oceanfront, the National Maritime Museum houses both a museum and the Maritime Cultural Asset Research Institute, the nation's only institute for underwater archaeology. The museum recovers relics that were lost underwater hundreds of years ago for the purpose of preservation and exhibition. In the exhibits, which are organized into 4 themes, guests learn about the exploration of a trade ship that went down between the 11th and 14th century and the Goryeo celadon relics that were recovered during the exploration. In addition to the indoor pieces, an exhibit of actual-sized Korean traditional ships is on display on the waterfront outside the museum.
* Hours: 09:00~18:00 (Closed on Mondays)
* Admission: Free
* Services: Free rental of digital guide (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese), wheelchairs, and strollers, etc
☞ Click here for National Maritime Museum
☞ Official site (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
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