Islands of All Sizes Scattered Across the Waters off Yeosu

Islands of various sizes spread picturesquely across the waters off Yeosu. Tour Hyangiram Hermitage, an ancient temple dating back to the Baekje period, and visit Odongdo Island, steeped in the legend of the phoenix. Above all, Yeosu was a key stronghold during the Imjin War, bearing numerous traces of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Explore the historical footprint of Admiral Yi.

Along the way

1. 1
   Hyangiram Hermitage

   향일암

   Hyangiram Hermitage is one of the four major Gwaneum (Avalokitesvara) prayer temples in Korea. It was founded in 644 (the 4th year of King Uija of Baekje) by Great Master Wonhyo of Silla and was originally named Wontongam. In 958 (the 9th year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo), Master Yunpil renamed it Geumoam, and in 1715 (the 41st year of King Sukjong of Joseon), Great Master Inmuk renamed it Hyangiram. The temple complex includes restored and newly built structures such as Wontongbojeon Hall, Samseonggak Shrine, Gwaneumjeon Hall, Yongwangjeon Hall, a bell pavilion, and a Haesu Gwaneum statue. After the main hall (Wontongbojeon), the temple office (Yeongguam), and the bell pavilion were destroyed by a fire on December 20, 2009, they were restored and a completion ceremony was held on May 6, 2012. MoreLess

   

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2. 2
   Odongdo Island

   오동도 등대

   During the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo, the corrupt monk Sin Don had an ominous premonition that a figure to rule the Goryeo Dynasty would emerge from Jeolla-do, as the character 'Jeon' (全) is composed of 'person' (人) over 'king' (王), and the auspicious phoenix frequented Odongdo Island in the south. Legend has it that he cut down the paulownia trees on Odongdo Island to prevent the phoenix from visiting. Odongdo Island is a renowned attraction of Hallyeohaesang National Park and serves as the iconic face of the beautiful port city of Yeosu. MoreLess

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3. 3
   Jinnamgwan Hall

   여수 진남관

   Designated as National Treasure No. 304, Jinnamgwan Hall is the only remaining structure of the Jeolla-jwa Suyeong Naval Headquarters fortress. Built in 1599, the year after the Imjin War ended, by Yi Si-eon, the Naval Commander who succeeded Admiral Yi Sun-sin, it is a grand 75-kan guesthouse erected on the site of Jinhaeru Pavilion, which had burned down during the Jeongyujaeran War. Named 'Jinnamgwan' meaning to pacify the south, it is recorded in the Nanjung Ilgi that official duties were conducted at the site of Jinhaeru. Commander Yi Do-bin carried out repairs in 1664, but it burned down in a major fire in 1716 during Commander Yi Yeo-ok's term. Rebuilt in 1718 by Commander Yi Je-myeon, this reconstructed structure forms the framework of the building seen today. MoreLess

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4. 4

   Admiral Yi Sun-sin's Mother's Residence

   이충무공자당기거지

   This is where Admiral Yi Sun-sin's mother, Lady Byeon, and his wife, Lady Bang, took refuge for five years (1592–1597) during the Imjin War in Songhyeon Village, Goeumcheon (present-day Ungcheon-dong). Admiral Yi paid his respects every morning and evening from the Yeosu headquarters and visited whenever he had time during naval campaigns. Relics used by his mother (an iron pot, a fulling block, a wooden mortar, a millstone) and the banyeolchaek (handover records of weapons at the shipyard) still remain. In December 1973, a memorial monument for Lady Byeon was erected, and in 1990, the then Yeocheon City erected a memorial monument for Admiral Yi Sun-sin. MoreLess

   

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