Yeosu by the Sea: A Journey of Friendship and Night Lights

By Neha Bisht ||

My trip to Yeosu began with a reunion. A friend from India was visiting Korea on a company trip, and we decided to meet in Yeosu to explore the city together. I traveled from Gwangju U-Square to Yeosu Intercity Bus Terminal, while my friend traveled separately from another city. We met at Yeosu Expo Station, where our day of exploring Yeosu began.

Yeosu is a beautiful port city on Korea’s southern coast, surrounded by blue water, islands, and green hills. Its location has shaped much of its identity, from its long maritime history to its modern attractions centered around the sea. The city is particularly interesting because its sightseeing areas naturally stretch from the Expo and the Odong-do island waterfront, through the historic central harbor, and across Dolsan Island.

Yeosu also has a strong connection with Korean naval history. The city was an important base during the time of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, whose legacy can still be seen at Yi Sun-shin Square and Jinnam Hall, both associated with the Imjin invasions of the 1590s. At the same time, places such as the 2012 Yeosu World Expo site and the Maritime Cable Car show the city’s modern relationship with the ocean.

At Expo Station, we purchased the Yeosu city daytime tour pass and boarded the bus, which made it easy to move between the city’s main attractions. We began with Odong-do, followed by Expo Park and Aqua Planet, before taking the Maritime Cable Car across the sea. We then explored Dolsan Park, Yi Sun-shin Square, and the Hamel area, ending our day with the famous Yeosu night sea and the Big-O Show.

Odong-do: Yeosu’s Green Island Retreat

Our first stop was Odong-do, connected to the mainland by a breakwater. The island is famous for its camellia trees, forested walking paths, and coastal scenery.

We explored the island on foot, enjoying the greenery and sea views. It was a peaceful way to begin the day before moving on to the busier parts of Yeosu. The island is free to enter, and around one to two hours is enough for a relaxed visit. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Aqua Planet and Yeosu Expo Park

From Odong-do, we continued to Aqua Planet Yeosu and Yeosu Expo Park. The aquarium at Aqua Planet houses hundreds of marine species, but we did not purchase tickets to enter. Instead, we explored the surrounding area and enjoyed the Expo Park waterfront from outside. (For information on activities, operating hours, and tickets at Aqua Planet Yeosu, visit the official website: https://m.aquaplanet.co.kr/yeosu/.)

Yeosu Expo Park is the legacy of the 2012 Yeosu World Expo, which focused on the ocean and marine environment. We walked around the park and enjoyed the sea views, not knowing that we would return later that evening for the Big-O Show.

The Maritime Cable Car: Yeosu from Above

Next came one of the highlights of our trip: the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car. Unlike a conventional mountain cable car, this one travels directly over the sea, connecting Dolsan Island with the Jasan/ Odong-do side. The approximately 13-minute journey offers views of the coastline, islands, the harbor, and Dolsan Bridge. Visitors can choose between standard cabins and Crystal Cabins with transparent floors. (For cable car operating hours and ticket prices, visit: http://www.yeosucablecar. com/.)

We chose the Crystal Cabin, which made the journey even more exciting. The transparent floor offered a thrilling view of the sea below, while the wide windows provided beautiful views of the harbor, coastline, and surrounding islands. After the cable-car ride, we also visited the 3D museum located in the cable-car area, which added a fun and interactive element to the experience.

The museum featured colorful optical-illusion artworks and creative 3D displays, giving us plenty of opportunities to take playful photographs. Together, the Crystal Cabin ride and the 3D museum made this one of the most enjoyable stops of our Yeosu trip.

Dolsan Park and Dolsan Bridge

After the cable car, we explored Dolsan Park, overlooking the harbor and surrounding islands. The park is free and offers one of the best views of Dolsan Bridge, particularly as the sun begins to set. We spent some time enjoying the scenery and watching the city gradually light up. With the bridge, connecting Dolsan Island to Yeosu on the mainland; the sea; and surrounding coastline in view; it was one of the most photogenic stops of our trip.

Yi Sun-shin Square: History Meets Local Life

We then moved toward the city center and arrived at Yi Sun-shin Square, dedicated to Admiral Yi Sun-shin. A large replica turtle boat in the square reflects Yeosu’s important naval history of the late 1500s, and the turtle boats’ important role in fending off the invading fleets from Japan.

The area is also lively with restaurants, cafés, markets, and street-food shops. My friend and I explored the nearby market, had lunch, and later stopped at a café for coffee. After a busy morning, this was a welcome break and gave us time to enjoy the local atmosphere.

Hamel Museum and Hamel Lighthouse

Our next stop was the Hamel Museum and the Hamel Lighthouse. The museum tells the story of Hendrick Hamel, the Dutch sailor who was shipwrecked with his crew near Yeosu in the 17th century. The museum is relatively small and can be explored in around 30–60 minutes. Nearby, the bright red Hamel Lighthouse stands at the end of the harbor breakwater and makes an attractive evening photography spot.

We explored the area as night approached and also spent time at the seaside night market. The combination of the waterfront, the lights, food stalls, and evening crowds created a completely different atmosphere from the Yeosu we had experienced earlier in the day.

The Yeosu Night Sea

The phrase “Yeosu night sea” has become almost synonymous with the city. After sunset, the waterfront around Dolsan Bridge, Yi Sun-shin Square, Hamel Lighthouse, and Jongpo Marine Park becomes one of the most atmospheric areas of the city. This was when we truly experienced the famous Yeosu night sea. Walking along the harbor with the city lights reflecting on the water was one of the most memorable moments of our trip.

After a full day of sightseeing, we did not need another major attraction. Simply walking along the waterfront, exploring the night market, and enjoying the sea was enough to make the evening special. This quiet experience is often what visitors remember most about Yeosu.

The Big-O Show

We returned to Yeosu Expo Park after exploring the night sea to watch the Big-O Show, one of Yeosu’s most recognizable nighttime attractions. The large O-shaped structure, created for the 2012 Yeosu World Expo, has become one of the city’s symbols.

The show combines a giant water screen, fountains, lasers, lights, mist, and fire effects, creating a spectacular multimedia performance over the sea. Watching the colorful projections and reflections on the water was a memorable way to end our day. After the show, we walked back to our nearby hotel in the Yeosu Expo Station area, bringing our day in Yeosu to a perfect close. (Check the official website schedule before visiting [https://www.expo2012.kr/web/], as show times and operating days can vary by season and performances may be affected by weather.)

Other Places to Explore in Yeosu

Our itinerary covered many of Yeosu’s main attractions, but the city has plenty more to offer for travelers with additional time.

Jinnam Hall is an important historical site connected with Admiral Yi Sun-shin and Yeosu’s naval past. Jongpo Marine Park is ideal for a relaxed waterfront walk, particularly in the evening. For those more artistic-minded, Goso-dong Wall Painting Village offers colorful murals and hillside views of the city.

Travelers interested in local food can visit the Yeosu Fish Market, while Jang Island in the Ungcheon area offers a quieter coastal experience.

Further south, Hyangil Hermitage is known for its dramatic coastal setting and is worth considering for a longer trip. The Maritime and Fisheries Science Museum is another option for those interested in sea life and Yeosu’s relationship with the sea.

Where to Stay

For affordable accommodation, Yi Sun-shin Square/Jungang-dong and the Yeosu Expo Station area are good choices. The Yi Sun-shin Square area is convenient for restaurants, cafés, the old downtown, and the night-sea attractions. The Expo Station area is particularly convenient for Aqua Planet, Expo Park, and public transportation.

Dolsan has attractive ocean-view accommodation, but prices can be higher on weekends. Budget travelers can look for guesthouses and small hotels slightly away from the waterfront.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Yeosu is spread out, so grouping attractions by area makes sightseeing much easier. The Yeosu City Tour Bus is convenient for travelers without a car and connects several major attractions. (Check the official website for current routes, fares, and schedules: https://www.yeosu.go.kr/ en.)

Comfortable shoes are essential for Odong-do and the coastal areas. Check the weather before taking the Maritime Cable Car and consider booking accommodation in advance during busy summer weekends and holidays.

For travelers from Gwangju, a two-day, one-night trip is ideal. Our route – from Expo Station to Odong-do, the Expo Park, Maritime Cable Car, Dolsan, Yi Sun-shin Square, Hamel Lighthouse, and back to the Expo Park – allowed us to experience many of Yeosu’s highlights without feeling rushed.

A Weekend by the Sea

Looking back, this was more than a sightseeing trip. It was a chance to meet a friend, who had traveled from India, and explore a new part of Korea together. From the quiet paths of Odong-do to the views from the cable car, from lunch and coffee around Yi Sun-shin Square to the glowing waterfront at night, each part of the journey had its own character.

Yeosu is a city best enjoyed slowly – with the sea beside you, good company, and enough time to stay until the lights come on. 

Photographs courtesy of the author.

Cover Photo: A soft glow settles over Yeosu’s shoreline.