Yudalsan offers views of Mokpo and the Dadohae Sea; Gatbawi shows a very different side of the city as a geological formation at a river estuary. Together with the historical and natural history museums, these sites offer several clear themes for a stay in Mokpo: the mountain and its trails, the coastal landscape, city history and maritime culture. When planning, you can distinguish between the attractions by the time required and your interests, rather than treating them as one fixed itinerary.
Scenery and trails on Yudalsan
Yudalsan Hiking Route 1 is 2 km long and takes approximately 40 minutes. It leads from the Yudalsan entrance via Dalseonggak, Yuseonggak, Madangbawi and Ildeungbawi. Route 2 also starts at the entrance and leads via Soyojeong and Ideungbawi. It is 1 km long and takes approximately 20 minutes. Route 2 is therefore shorter than Route 1 in both distance and stated time; both walking times are approximate.
At the summit of Yudalsan, Yudalsan Sculpture Park lies just below the rock Ideungbawi. The park features 104 works of art on the themes of nature, culture and sculpture, and was Korea’s first outdoor sculpture park. Yudalsan offers not only views of Mokpo and the Dadohae Sea, but also a habitat for the rare plant Albizia Kalkara. The 2.7 km-long Yudalsan Scenic Road runs around the mountain.
Another way to take in Mokpo’s landscape is the Mokpo Marine Cable Car. Its route is 3.23 km long, starting at the North Port Terminal, passing over the summit of Yudalsan and above Mokpo and the Dadohae Sea, and reaching Gohado Island. A round trip takes approximately 40 minutes; the published duration depends on operating conditions. Check the latest travel information before your visit.
Gatbawi: a rock formation at the river estuary
The Gatbawi rock in Mokpo is a natural sandstone and tafoni formation near the mouth of the Yeongsangang River, where fresh water flows into the sea. It consists of two separate formations, 8 m and 6 m high, respectively. The name is said to bring to mind two men wearing traditional Korean hats called “gat.” Gatbawi was officially recognized as a natural monument on April 27, 2009.
City history, maritime culture and natural history
Mokpo Modern History Museum No. 1 is the oldest building in Mokpo and a testament to Korea’s modern and contemporary history. The Mokpo Modern History Museum presents Mokpo’s history in an exhibition with seven themes. These include the production and exploitation of various goods during the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945), as well as miniature reconstructions of Mokpo streets from that era.
The Mokpo Maritime Heritage Exhibition Center has four permanent exhibition halls. The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage in Mokpo has an outdoor exhibition area and a special exhibition hall. These institutions offer different spaces for maritime culture: permanent exhibition halls at one, and an outdoor area and a special exhibition hall at the other.
Mokpo Natural History Museum is located in Gatbawi Culture Town, a major tourist attraction in Mokpo. It displays rare dinosaur fossils, cultural artifacts and exhibitions. This means that Mokpo’s natural history and cultural history sit alongside Gatbawi’s geological features and the scenic attractions of Yudalsan.
Putting planning times into perspective
The approximate 20- and 40-minute times for the hiking trails apply to each route; the Mokpo Marine Cable Car’s likewise approximate 40 minutes explicitly refers to a round trip. The same number therefore does not indicate the same duration or scope. This distinction can help you balance the trails and the cable car ride when putting together a day’s itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Gwangyang-si, Boseong-Gun, Wando-gun, Yeonggwang-gun, Damyang-gun, Yeongam-Gun, Muan, Yeosu.
For the broader travel overview: Jeollanam-Do.
