Capturing the Scenery of Hallyeohaesang National Park

Tongyeong is a beautiful coastal city that embraces Hallyeohaesang National Park. Ride the cable car up Mireuksan Mountain, and the stunning scenery of the southern sea unfolds before you — Hansando, Yeondaedo, Yokjido, Yeosu's Dolsando, and even Namhae's Geumsan, all part of Hallyeohaesang National Park. Somaemuldo Island, too, preserves the splendor of the national park, and the trekking course out to Deungdaeseom (Lighthouse Island) is a highlight.

Along the way

1. 1

   Somaemuldo Island

   소매물도

   The name is said to come from the nearby villages of Daehang and Danggeum, which once produced a great deal of maemul (buckwheat) — recorded as 'Maemido' in the 1934 Tongyeong-gun Gazetteer. As a small island next to Maemuldo Island, it came to be called 'Somaemuldo.' Around 1904, a member of the Gimhae Kim clan, having heard that no one starves on the island, moved here from the mainland and settled, developing the village. The island's beautiful shape draws a steady stream of tourists year after year. MoreLess

   

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2. 2

   Lunch (Ttungbo Halmae Gimbap, Bunso Sikdang)

   점심식사(뚱보할매김밥, 분소식당)

   [Ttungbo Halmae Gimbap] Tongyeong Halmae Gimbap is famous for Tongyeong's signature dish, Chungmu gimbap, and one of its most renowned restaurants. It is the original Chungmu gimbap restaurant, founded by the late Grandmother Eo Du-i (who passed away at 94), who ran a single-item menu for 70 years since first developing Chungmu gimbap. Since plain gimbap spoiled too easily to sell, this style — designed not to spoil — became the origin of Chungmu gimbap. The menu is just one item: Chungmu gimbap. The only accompaniments are seasoned squid and radish kimchi served alongside the plain seaweed rice rolls. The seasoned squid gives the otherwise simple flavor of Chungmu gimbap a deep, savory kick. [Bunso Sikdang] Located in front of the Tongyeong Ferry Terminal, this restaurant specializes in pufferfish (bok) dishes. You can use the ferry terminal parking lot, so you can enjoy pufferfish dishes comfortably without worrying about parking. Having been featured often on broadcast TV, it offers a flavor with a proven reputation. MoreLess

   

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3. 3

   Hallyeosudo Observatory Cable Car

   한려수도조망케이블카

   Installed on Mireuksan, one of Korea's 100 great mountains, the Hallyeosudo Observatory Cable Car is Korea's first automatic-circulation bi-cable system and the longest tourist cable car in the country (1,975m). At an average speed of 4m per second, the ride to the upper station takes about 9 minutes, with 48 gondolas in circulation — 47 for passengers and 1 for cargo. From the summit of Mireuksan, you can view the historic site of the Battle of Hansan, the 300-ri stretch of Hallyeohaesang National Park from Hansando to Yeosu, Japan's Tsushima Island, Cheonwangbong Peak of Jirisan, and Yeosu's Dolsando Island. MoreLess

   

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4. 4
   Dongpirang Village

   동피랑마을

   The name 'Dongpirang' comes from combining 'dong' (east) and 'birang.' 'Birang' is the Tongyeong dialect word for 'slope,' with 'dong' (east) attached in front — hence people came to call it 'Dongpirang.' In October 2007, the Green Tongyeong 21 Council recruited people from across the country to paint murals along the Dongpirang path. They covered the village's walls and alleyways with paintings, and this hillside seaside village was reborn through art. Dongpirang's alleys branch off in dozens of directions. Every alley has murals, and this village that seems to touch the sky, painted the way it is, is enough to turn it into a fairy-tale town. The view of Ganggu-an Bay looking down from the village is also worth seeing. MoreLess

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