Sea Life of Yeosu: A Day at Aqua Planet
Written by Katy Ryan
Everyone, from old to young, has always been captivated by the daily life of aquatic animals. Whether it is a waddling penguin navigating the icy polar regions or a beaver steadily building its lodge, animals who call the water their home have never ceased to amaze. If you are not able to observe these creatures in their natural habitats, then your next best bet is to visit an aquarium. Since my tenure began in South Korea, I have made it a personal goal to visit all of the peninsula’s aquariums. I have been to four thus far, but my favorite, as of yet, is Hanwha Aqua Planet in Yeosu.
I fell in love with this city’s views, people, and abundance of Korean culture. Compared to some areas of Korea, which are being slowly influence by Western culture, Yeosu seems set apart. It is a charming and captivating place to visit all year round. From its beautiful beaches to its ever-fascinating cable car ride, Yeosu has much to offer. For me the aquarium, which is the second biggest in all of Korea, was the main attraction. The aquarium was built as part of the Yeosu Expo, which opened on May 12, 2012. Currently, there are four floors and five marine exhibit areas.
When you first arrive, you will have the option to buy a combination ticket. With this, you can see the aquarium and take part in one of two additional events: the It’s Alive! Photo Museum or the 4D Theater. I chose the former, and luckily, the ticket lines shrank quickly. To the left of the ticket counter, you will take an escalator up to where the animal exhibits are. The first sights that I recall seeing are part of the Marine Life exhibit, where harbor seals and beluga whales swam merrily. The belugas, adopted from Russia, were definitely the main attraction. Their tank was wide and spacious, and they even had small toys that they played with. The harbor seals were equally interesting. They swam quickly through tubes that were laced throughout the exhibit.
On the same floor, there were two more exhibits: Ocean Life and Aqua Forest. The Ocean Life exhibit housed the animals in tanks that seemed to be crafted so that visitors could feel immersed while the creatures had maximum space. The hallway leading to the main tank was dotted with portholes that allowed the spectators to feel as if they were part of the animals’ world. In the main tank, I was enthralled by the vast array of stingrays, exotic fish, and sand sharks.
The Aqua Forest exhibit was set up to resemble a rainforest and featured mainly freshwater life. It was interesting to see how small children revered the piranha, pointing and gasping as if they were animals of legend. This area also featured an electric eel with a readout stating the voltage that the eel was producing. Lastly, I walked through the Aqua Dome exhibit. The dome consisted of rows of glass tunnels that met in the middle to form a circle. There I was able to watch the animals swim all around. I was amazed at the beauty and care that had been put into the design.
On the next floor, there was a beluga stand where you could either sit or stand nearby to watch the beluga whales play, though I do not recommend standing too close to the splash zone. The whales had endless amounts of energy. They dove deep and then emerged to propel beach balls off the tips of their noses. Next door, there is a seal stand where you can watch the seals, the ones that are not shooting through their tunnels, sunbathing, or playing. I had the honor of getting to see a staff member feed the animals fresh fish. It was a delight to see the fat seals lumber up for their treat. Some would try to leap up with all their might, trying to impress the staff member.
When you are finished with your visit, you can exit through the gift shop or go back through the aquarium a second time. Once you do exit, however, you cannot return unless you purchase another ticket. The gift shop itself is abundant in plush animals, toys, and accessories, all featuring animals of the aquarium. If you bought a joint ticket to the It’s Alive! Photo Museum, then you will find it on your right as you exit. Recently, they have updated the attraction, and you will be required to download an app so that you can experience the portraits in the museum coming to life.
I would highly recommend visiting Hanhwa Aqua Planet in Yeosu. I felt that the habitats were appropriate and built with the comfort of the animals in mind. I plan on visiting again this year, and I hope to see new things! The price of admittance was not too steep, being only 34,000 won for an adult ticket. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.aquaplanet.co.kr/yeosu/eng/index.jsp
Photographs by Sarah Pittman
The Author
Katy Ryan is from Tennessee in the U.S. She majored in criminology and sociology. She currently is a hagwon teacher who lives in Mokpo.