Trip to the sea off Yeosu and Yi Sun sin heritage sites | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Odongdo is an island in Yeosu-si that looks like an orchid tree leaf from afar and has been called Odongdo because of the abundant paulownia trees since the past. It is both the starting and ending point of Hallyeohaesang National Park. The island, with an area of 125,620.4m² (38,000 pyeong), is covered with a dense forest of 193 rare trees including camellia trees, Isaut bamboo, true camellia, hoopaek tree, zelkova, and privet. Especially, the camellia trees naturally growing here form a large colony, earning the island the nicknames Camellia Island or Flower Island of the Sea. Around 3,000 camellia trees cover the entire island, with flowers starting to bloom one or two at a time as early as October, allowing the sight of red flowers even in midwinter. About 30% bloom by mid-February, reaching full bloom by mid-March. The coast is rocky with high sea cliffs developed, creating spectacular rocky cliffs known as Conch Rock, Folding Screen Rock, Elephant Rock, Dragon Cave, and Roof Rock. Odongdo Lighthouse is located at the southern tip of the island. Vehicle access is restricted except for authorized vehicles. Transportation into the island from the entrance includes the Camellia Train, as well as ferry boats and motorboats. The Camellia Train operates from 9:30 AM to 5:50 PM on the way in and from 9:15 AM to 5:40 PM on the way out, running at 30-minute intervals except during lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

The national treasure Jinnamgwan is known as a sacred site of patriotic history, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin planned battles and issued military orders. During the Imjin War, this site served as the main base of the Jeolla Left Naval Command and the Samdo Naval Command. Originally, there was a pavilion called Jinhaeru. In 1599, Lee Si-eon, who succeeded Yi Sun-sin as the naval commander, built a large guesthouse with 75 rooms on the site of Jinhaeru, which had burned down during the Jeongyu War, and named it Jinnamgwan (鎭南館). After a fire in 1716, the building was reconstructed in 1718 by naval commander Lee Jae-myeon and remains until today. Jinnamgwan is a grand, single-story building with a hipped-and-gabled roof, measuring 15 rooms wide and 5 rooms deep, with a floor area of 748.39㎡, making it the largest existing single-story provincial government office building. Facilities include an exhibition hall where visitors can view relics related to Jinnamgwan’s history and the Imjin War. On the grounds are the Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property Seokinsang statue and the two-story pavilion Manghaeru, rebuilt in April 1991 after being demolished during the Japanese occupation. This place offers beautiful scenic views including Yeosu’s sea, and nearby tourist attractions include Jasan Park, Odongdo, Dolsan Bridge, Chungminsa Shrine, and Manseongri Beach.

1998년 5월에 개관한 전라남도 수산종합관은 임진왜란 전승지로 이순신 장군이 무술년에 왜적을 섬멸한 무술목 유원지에 위치하고 있으며 자연경관이 수려한 한려수도와 함께 남해안의 유명관광지로 연결되어 있다. 규모는 부지 2,802평, 건물 1,680평이며, 주요시설로는 수족관전시실, 해양수산전시실, 해양과학전시실 및 종묘배양장, 시청각실을 갖추고 있다. 또한, 3D 입체영상관과 해양생물자연사관이 신설되어 관람객들에게 선보이고 있다.

Yeosu Hyangilam is a subsidiary temple of the 19th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and a tourist attraction visited by about one million people annually, as well as a prayer site dedicated to Avalokitesvara. Monk Wonhyo met Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva here and built Wontongam at the site. During the Joseon Sukjong era, Monk Inmuk named it Hyangilam. The temple features restored and reconstructed buildings including Wontongbojeon, Samseonggak, Gwaneumjeon, Yongwangjeon, the bell pavilion, and the Haesu Gwaneum statue, establishing its temple appearance. After a fire on December 20, 2009, that destroyed Daeungjeon (Wontongbojeon), the temple office (Yeongguam), and the bell pavilion, these were restored and reopened on May 6, 2012. It is called Hyangilam because of the spectacular sunrise over the southern sea horizon visible here, and also called Yeongguam due to the surrounding rocks shaped like a turtle's back.

Connected to the Yeosu Peninsula by the Dolsan Bridge, completed on December 15, 1984, Dolsando features famous scenic spots and historical sites such as Dolsan Park, Musulmok Battle Site, Jeollanam-do Fisheries Complex, Bangjukpo Beach, Hyangiram Hermitage, and Eunjokam. There is a coastal road circling the entire island. Recently, with the increase of convenience facilities like tourist restaurants and guesthouses, more travelers are visiting. Driving slowly around the island is a refreshing experience. The coastal road loop is about 60 km and takes 1 to 2 hours. Under the Dolsan Bridge, a life-sized model of the turtle ship that played a role in the Imjin War stands proudly, and nearby are numerous restaurants along the coast serving fresh raw fish. The view of Yeosu City from Dolsan Park (Daegyo Park) is also a must-see.