10 Best Things to Do in Yeosu

The island of Odongdo, famous for camellia, is often said to be one of the first destinations travellers must visit in Yeosu. It's just a short 10-minute drive from the city centre, so there's really no excuse for missing out. You can walk along the seawall or take the camellia train from the entrance to the island. Odongdo has a dense forest of evergreens such as camellia trees and bamboo. Camellias begin blooming in October and are in full bloom by April, and their beauty is what makes Odongdo so famous and special. A trail encircling the island offers a chance to slowly take in a natural beauty. You can also climb to the lighthouse observation deck and take in a panoramic view of the archipelago.

Dolsan Park is your best bet for a panoramic view of Yeosu in its full glory at a glance. The park is situated at the entrance to Dolsan Island off the coast of Yeosu and is considered a must-see destination. The best views of the city can be had at night when Dolsan Bridge and Yeosu Port are fully lit. Dolsan Park is also home to a marine cable car that will take you over the sea to Jasan Park. It takes about 15 minutes to cross, and you can sit back and savour bird's-eye views of the surrounding sea, Yeosu, Janggundo, Geobukseon Bridge and Hamel Lighthouse.

Hyangilam is a temple situated on a steep cliff on Mt. Geumo at the southern end of Dolsan Island. The name means "facing (hyang) the sun (il)", and as it suggests, the temple is a great spot for viewing the sunrise. It was founded by the famous Silla-era Buddhist Wonhyo and is one of four major destinations in Korea for bodhisattva prayers. To climb to the temple, you have to pass through narrow gaps in the rocks. There are seven such gaps in total, and it is said that passing through all gaps will grant you a wish. The front of the inner sanctuary is a famous spot for sunrise viewing and gets rather crowded on New Year's morning. Behind Hyangilam is Mt. Geumo, where a panoramic view of the southern sea awaits you.

Geomundo is a two-hour boat ride from Yeosu (114 km to the southwest) and is the southernmost island of the region. It's situated right between Yeosu and Jeju-do. Lush camellia forests are strewn throughout, and you can see the picturesque blue sea and islands dotting the archipelago from Geomundo. Geomundo Lighthouse, a symbol of the island, has a long history and is famous for its panoramic views. There are relics related to the British Army who once occupied Geomundo in the late Joseon period. You can also travel to Baek-do, an island that offers the most magnificent views of the southern sea. It's a popular destination for swimming, fishing and trekking.

Meaning "cliff" in the Yeosu dialect, Bileong is a trail in Dadohaehaesang National Park on Geumo-do. Needless to say, the trail runs along the seaside cliffs. It's emerged as a premier trekking spot thanks to superb views of the surrounding blue sea and coastal rock formations. The 18.5-km trail is divided into five courses, and it takes about 9 hours to complete the entire trail. People typically complete one or two courses on a given day. Geumo-do is also a famous fishing spot for catching blackhead seabream. Reaching the island takes about 1 to 2 hours from Yeosu, but this can vary depending on the ship.

Yeongchwisan must not be missed if you happen to be travelling to Yeosu in April when azaleas are in bloom. The mountain, spanning Samil-dong and Sangam-dong, is about 510 metres above sea level, so you can easily hike there with your family. It's one of the top three destinations in Korea for azaleas, and it happens to be where the flowers bloom the earliest. In early April, you'll be treated to a spectacular view of azaleas that turn the mountain bright red from the middle up to the summit. If you make it to the summit, you can overlook the archipelago, Gwangyang Bay and Yeocheon Industrial Complex. If this sounds up your alley, be sure to visit in April when the Azalea Festival is held.