With the warm breeze of spring melting the last of winter’s frost, the excitement of a new semester is buzzing in the air. How about spending a cozy time in Yeosu to welcome the new year? For Kingos expecting a busy year ahead, the Sungkyun Times (SKT) prepared a journey of hidden treasures in Yeosu. Take a deep breath, and enjoy a trip to the Angel Mural Village and the “Flower Island of the Sea,” Odongdo.
Walking Amongst Art
Stories behind the Murals
The Angel Mural Village is the oldest natural village in Yeosu, located on a hill where the Dolsan Bridge and Geobukseon Bridge are visible at a glance. It is also a historical place where Admiral Yi Sun-shin planned operations and gave orders during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. The name “Angel Mural Village” is derived from its length. The complete walkway is 1,004 meters long, a number with the same pronunciation as the Korean word for “angel.” Artists and residents of Goso-dong created the village’s murals to mark the 2012 Yeosu Expo and hold stories related to that year’s theme: Ocean. The murals, including drawings about history, culture, and scenery, are divided into nine sections. Since the course is in a residential area without a tour guide, visitors can freely explore and decide which sections to take. The sections and their corresponding themes are as follows:
How to Visit the Angel Mural Village
Kingos from the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus can take Line 4 at Hyehwa Station, get off at Sinyongsan Station, and then leave from exit 3 to take the Yongsan Station KTX. After arriving at Yeosu Expo Station, take either the 109 or 111 bus at the Yeosu Expo Station-L bus stop (3259001) and get off at the Police Station bus stop. For Kingos from the Natural Sciences Campus, take Line 1 at Sungkyunkwan University Station and get off at Geumcheon-gu Office Station. Next, transfer to Line 1 and get off at Gwangmyeong Station. Then, take the Gwangmyeong KTX and arrive at Yeosu Expo Station. From here, the directions are identical from then on.
Enjoying the Angel Mural Village
1. Ocean at the End of the Lane
There are 160 murals painted at the Angel Mural Village, and it takes about 50 minutes to go through all nine sections. For busy Kingos rushing to see the highlights, the SKT recommends going to sections 2 and 3 first. After the narrow entryway, the walls filled with pastel drawings of section 2 stand parallel to the breathtaking view of Yeosu’s glittering ocean. Also, cafés filled with decadent desserts spread out throughout the course. For Kingos seeking a perfect photo spot, the SKT suggests Café For, which is located at the village’s highest point. With the right amount of natural lighting, the pictures will only get better with every step you take. In section 3, tourists can enjoy drawings of popular cartoons like Sikgaek and Tazza by Heo Young-man, a cartoonist from Yeosu. Every mural has a short description of the paintings written next to it so anyone can easily appreciate them. No matter which section you decide to explore, you will encounter beautifully drawn murals and enjoy a fun, rewarding tour.
2. Walk through History
At the Angel Mural Village, tourists can visit historically significant places like Gosodae and Opodae. Gosodae, situated in section 6, is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Yeosu. It is known as the site where Admiral Yi Sun-shin planned and ordered operations during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. Located near Gosodae is the Shinhoyeon Museum, where tourists can witness Shinhoyeon, a unique patterned kite that was used to send and receive signals during the Imjin War. At the highest point of Goso-dong, there is Opodae Park. The round pillar-shaped Opodae is a lighthouse which announced midday during the Joseon Dynasty. Just around when the sun sets and the walk gets tiring, the tour will have come to an end. To fill your now-empty stomach, take the exit toward Jongpo Marine Park, where an array of delicious food awaits. The SKT recommends enjoying Yeosu’s nightlife to the fullest at Pocha Street, as any restaurant in this area would serve perfect meals. Here, Kingos can enjoy various seafood cuisines at outdoor food carts while finishing the day with the music of street performers and the scenery of Yeosu’s night ocean.
Finding Peace at Odongdo
Before Visiting Odongdo
Becoming one with Yeosu’s nature is only a few steps away, at a small island called Odongdo. This paulownia leaf-shaped island is home to 193 tree species, including the camellia. With the forest filled with camellia trees, tourists flock to the island to see the bright red flowers bloom in winter, which is why Odongdo is also called the “Flower Island of the Sea.” The island has no entrance fee and is located about two minutes by car or 17 minutes on foot from Jongpo Marine Park.
One with Nature
1. Flower Scented Steps
The entire trail in Odongdo’s Dongbaek Forest is lined with a wooden pathway, allowing everyone to enjoy a comfortable hike. The peak season of the camellia flowers is around March 15th. Kingos visit Odongdo during this period, the forest will be filled with flamboyant camellia flowers. Along with a romantic legend, these flowers also have a special meaning: “I love you more than anything else.” Furthermore, The most popular photo zone of the island is at the Dongbaek Observatory, where tourists can see the entirety of Odongdo and the ocean from a new height. Past the observatory and in the center of the island, there is a café called Dongbaksae Dream Garden. As its name suggests, the café welcomes tourists to a beautifully decorated picnic with adorable whiskered guests. Down the forest trail lies Sinudae Tunnel, a pathway created by tall bamboo trees leaning toward each other. The Baramgol Observatory at the end of Sinudae shares a different wonder from the Dongbaek Observatory. In the observatory located at the lower end of the island, tourists can take in a glistening sea bracketed by two cliffs. Finally, Kingos can leave the forest toward the music fountain to finish the long walk.
2. Where the Forest Meets the Sea
Aside from the forest trail of Odongdo, there is also a coastal trail where you can walk alongside the seemingly never-ending ocean view. This path takes about 30 minutes to complete, and there is a long row of food carts at the beginning of the course, allowing Kingos to grab warm food for the long walk. Tourists can ride a bike or walk this trail, but taking the Dongbaek Train to Odongdo Square is best recommended. The train runs every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it costs ₩1,000 for adults and ₩500 for students. Since the Dongbaek Train travels at a walking speed, you can peacefully take pictures of the scenery inside the vehicle and enjoy the colorful murals painted on the pathway. No matter what method you choose, the joy of taking this course and watching the beautiful landscape will remain within you.
From the buzzing city life to an island where the forest and the sea coexist, Yeosu truly has a space for everyone. Let the vibrant murals and the sparkling sea cheer you on toward new experiences and endeavors this year. Just like the camellia flowers blooming in the cold winter, the SKT hopes 2023 will be a year for Kingos to live and thrive at their own pace.