Yeosu City Tour

Yeosu City Tour

Yeosu, meaning "beautiful water," is a maritime city well-known for its pristine ocean scenery, with around 915 kilometers of coastline. The city has become a rising tourist destination since hosting the 2012 World Expo, which promoted the importance of marine resources worldwide.

In addition to the pure ocean, Yeosu has picturesque views of the surrounding 317 large and small islands. The Yeosu City Tour offers three regular courses. The first course covers the famous Odongdo Island and Hyangiram Hermitage, a small temple perched high on a coastal cliff. The second course offers a tour of the city's historic sites, and the night course allows visitors to take in the magnificent night views of the beautiful port city. Moreover, the Yeojaman Bay Sunset Course is currently in trial operation until November 16, 2013. This course will provide the opportunity to travel along the meandering coastline and enjoy the glow of the setting sun. 

Hop on the Yeosu City Tour Bus to discover the most popular attractions in Yeosu!

• Yeosu City Tour Bus Information

Course 1 (Hyangiram Course) 
Departure Time: 10:00 (One tour per day)
Travel Time: Approximately 7 hours 20 minutes
Itinerary: Yeosu Station (Yeosu EXPO Station) [depart at 10:00]
Odongdo Island [60 minutes]
Jinnamgwan Hall [50 minutes]
Lunch Break [meal not included, 60 minutes]
Maritime & Fisheries Science Museum [admission fee not included, 30 minutes]
Hyangiram Hermitage [admission fee not included, 80 minutes]
Yeosu Specialty Seafood Market [50 minutes free time]
Yeosu Station (Yeosu EXPO Station) [arrive at 17:20]

Course 2 (Historic Site Course)
Departure Time: 10:00 (One tour per day)
Travel Time: Approximately 7 hours 20 minutes
Itinerary: Yeosu Station (Yeosu EXPO Station) [departing at 10:00]
Odongdo Island [60 minutes]
Jinnamgwan Hall [50 minutes]
Lunch Break [meal not included, 60 minutes]
Aeyangwon Historic Museum & Son Yang-Won Memorial Hall [40 minutes, closed on Sundays]
Heungguksa Temple [admission fee not included, 40 minutes]
Yeosu Specialty Seafood Market [50 minutes free time]
Yeosu Station (Yeosu EXPO Station) [arriving at 17:20]
* The Song Yang-Won Memorial Hall is closed on Sundays, so the scheduled visit will be replaced with the nearby historic park. 

Night Course 
Departure Time: 19:30 (One tour per day)
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Itinerary: Yeosu Station (Yeosu EXPO Station) [departing at 19:30]
National Industrial Complex [10 minutes]
Dolsan Park [30 minutes]
Odongdo Island [15 minutes]
Yeosu Station (Yeosu EXPO Station) [arriving at 22:00]

Yeojaman Bay Sunset Course
Departure Time: September 17:00 / October 16:30 / November 16:00 
Travel Time: Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
Itinerary: Yi Sun-shin Square [departure]
Yeosu Shipyard Site [10 minutes]
Sora Jangcheok Village [40 minutes]
Dolsan Park [40 minutes]
Yi Sun-shin Square [arrival]
Yeojaman Bay Sunset Course is only available from Friday through Sunday (excluding national holidays) until November 16, 2013.

Visitor Information

☞ Operation Frequency: 1 daily departure  ☞ Departure Point: In front of Yeosu EXPO Station  ☞ Fare: Adults 5,000 won / Teens (ages 7-18) 2,500 won (admission fees and lunch not included, credit card payment unavailable) ☞ Reservations & Inquiries: Odong Travel +82-61-666-1201~2 (Korean) / Yeosu City Hall +82-61-690-2036~7 (Korean) ☞ Online reservation: http://www.ystour.kr/tourism/citytour/citytour.do?course=A (Korean) * Reservations required. Please call or visit us online to book. Tour commentary is provided in person by a Korean-speaking guide. Foreign nationals who have foreign  registration numbers can make online reservations at the Yeosu Tourism homepage in Korean. ☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)  ☞ Yeosu Tourism Homepage: http://www.ystour.kr/en/ main.jsp (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French) * Updates may take time for websites in foreign languages.

• Major Tourist Sites

Odongdo Island

A top tourist destination in Yeosu, Odongdo Island is known among young couples as the “Island of Love.” Seagulls greet ferry passengers and crisscross over the ferry's wake as it makes its way across the calm waters. The island is also connected with the mainland and can be reached by the Dongbaek (Magnolia) Train or on foot. Odongdo Island’s attractions include wooded walking trails, a 25-meter-tall lighthouse observatory, and a musical fountain. More information including ferry tour course can be found on the website below.

* Ferry Fare (from park entrance to shopping area of Odongdo): One-way 3,000 won (about 15 -20 minutes)
* Dongbaek Train Fare: One-way 500 won (about 15 minutes)

☞ Odongdo Island
☞ Homepage: http://www.odongdo.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, French, Chinese)

Jinnamgwan Hall

Jinnamgwan Hall is the oldest existing single-story wooden building in Korea and a prized National Treasure (a cultural asset protected as a national treasure). It was used as the headquarters for Admiral Yi Sun-shin, who led Korean forces to victory in a celebrated naval battle against the Japanese army during the Imjinwaeran War, which lasted from 1592 to 1598. Admiral Yi is one of the most heroic and respected figures in Korean history, and several tourist sites commemorate his many accomplishments.

* Admission: Free

☞ Jinnamgwan Hall 
☞ Yeosu Tourism homepage: http://www.ystour.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French)

Maritime & Fisheries Science Museum

Located next to the ocean, the museum is an ideal place to learn about and appreciate local marine ecology. A hundred species of fish indigenous to Yeosu region and sea turtle are on exhibit. The museum also boasts a hands-on discovery center that gives visitors a chance to learn about various species of clams. 

* Hours: 09:00-18:00 
(Closed on Mondays, New Year, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok holidays)
* Admission: Adults 3,000 won, Teens (ages 7-18) 2,000 won

☞ Maritime & Fisheries Science Museum
☞ Maritime & Fisheries Science Museum Homepage: www.jmfsm.or.kr (Korean)

Hyangiram Hermitage

sunrises and sunsets. The hermitage is located at the southern end of Dolsando Island, which is connected to the mainland by Dolsandaegyo Bridge. The steep narrow road that leads up to Hyangiram has recently been made more navigable with the addition of stairs. After passing through a narrow crevice between huge rocks, a stunning view of the ocean unfolds just beyond the temple. Explore the area to discover the Daeungjeon Hall, Bawidonggul Cave, the Beomjong Temple bell, and the fountain – just don't forget to make a wish.

* Admission: Adults 2,000 won, Teens (ages 13-18) 1,500 won, Children (ages 7-12) 1,000 won

☞ Hyangiram Hermitage 
☞ Hyangiram Hermitage Homepage: http://www.hyangiram.org (Korean)

Heungguksa Temple

Located halfway up Yeongchwisan Mountain (510 m), Heungguksa Temple was built in the 12th century. The temple was established as a place for those praying for the country to flourish. The name Heungguksa means "If the country prospers, the temple does well." Within the precincts of the temple are many cultural assets that have been designated as treasures. In particular, the temple's main hall, Daeungjeon (Treasure No. 396) is equipped with Korean traditional doors and characterized by its open structure. Yeongchwisan Mountain offers hikers a bird's-eye view of the city, and in April, visitors flock here to enjoy the colorful scenery created by pink azalea blossoms blooming all over the mountain. 

* Admission: Adults 2,000 won, Teens (ages 13-18) 1,500 won, Children (ages 7-12) 1,000 won

☞ Heungguksa Temple 
☞ Heungguksa Temple Homepage: http://www.여수흥국사.kr (Korean, English)

Dolsan Park

Dolsan Park is the perfect place to enjoy the striking night views of the beautiful port city of Yeosu. The park provides a panoramic view of the downtown, Yeosuhang Port, and the lighthouse beam gleaming on the sea's surface. The park also presents a view of the 450-meter long Dolsan Bridge, which links downtown Yeosu withDolsando Island. Dolsan Bridge is one of the most popular nightscapes in Yeosu, as it creates a vibrant scene at night when it is illuminated by colorful lights.

☞ Dolsan Park 
☞ Yeosu Tourism homepage: http://www.ystour.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French)