Tongyeong
Tongyeong is a historical port city in South Gyeongsang. It is known throughout Korea for its picturesque harbor, a coastal city consisting of 192 islands that is full of exotic things to enjoy.
Understand
Tongyeong is was home to 125,000 people in 2021. It used to be known as Chungmu, after the posthumous name of Yi Sun-sin, a naval commander of the Joseon Dynasty famed for his victories during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598). The name Tongyeong means 'command post' and is also associated with Admiral Yi, as it refers to his principal base that was on nearby Hansan Island.
Tongyeong City is a multifunctional city, inside the central agricultural district and southern port cities of Goseong peninsula and fishing villages of islands. The jagged coastline and gentle tides bless this city with bountiful harvests of fish and other marine products. The calm and beautiful islet-dotted waterway from Hansan Island to Yeosu is called Hallyeosudo.
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Get in
Map of Tongyeong
By car or bus
- The Busan-Geoje direct expressway link has made access by express bus and car significantly faster and easier (1 hr 30 min)
- Tongyeong ↔ Seoul Nambu (Nonstop) is available (fare: Nonstop ₩24,600, Midnight Nonstop Bus ₩27,100, duration: 4 hr 10 min)
- Tongyeong ↔ Seoul Gyungbu-line (Express) is available (fare: Express Bus ₩21,800, Deluxe ₩32,400, Midnight Deluxe Bus ₩35,600, duration: 4 hr 10 min)
- Tongyeong ↔ Daejeon, Tongyeong ↔ Gwangju, Tongyeong ↔ Daegu, Tongyeong ↔ Busan, Tongyeong ↔Masan, Tongyeong ↔Jinju is available
By plane
- Gimhae International Airport (PUS IATA) is the closest airport, about 60 minutes' drive away.
- Gimhae International Airport (PUS IATA) offering flights to many international destinations such as China, Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo), Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and domestic routes to Seoul Incheon International Airport, Seoul Gimpo and Jeju.
- Sacheon airport (Jinju/National) is also close to Tongyeong, about 44 minutes' drive away. Sacheon airport offering flights to Gimpo and Jeju island.
- There are other options getting to Tongyeong from Gimpo International Airport, including train (KTX), Express bus, local buses and taxies.
By train
- Tongyeong is not connected directly on the Korean rail network and travelers can travel to Tongyeong by bus or car after using the nearest train station, Jinju Station. KTX trains connect Jinju to Seoul take times around 3 hr 30 min. Tickets can be purchased at the counter or on Korail website.
By ship
- Travelers who want to visit various islands in Tongyeong should use Passenger terminal. There are various terminals (such as Tongyeong port passenger ship terminal, Sarryangdo passenger terminal, Yokjido passenger terminal, etc.), each with a different location, so it is important to know the location and time in advance. Don't forget to take your passport before you arrive.
Get around
By bus
- Bus fares are ₩1,500 (₩1,450 for bus card/T-money, Cashbee, Hararo-card, etc.) for local buses and it allows you to use one free of charge if you transfer within 30 minutes of getting off at any city bus stop (excluding cash) (June 2023).
By taxi
- The basic fare for regular taxis is ₩4,000, with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance (June 2023).
By foot
- Most Tongyeong tourist attractions are within walking distance, starting with Gangguan. Therefore, it is highly recommended to travel on foot except for the island movement.
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See
- Turtle Ship Replica (Gangguan Fishing Port). Replica of a famous naval vessel that defended Korea from Japanese invasion on numerous occasions.
- Tongyeong Port.
- Maemool-do, 515 tongyeong hae-an-ro (you can take a ferry to maemool-do at Tongyeong Port everyday), ☏ +82-1577-0557. Maemool-do is a beautiful island group of Tongyeong, consisting of 3 small islands. It is often crowded.
- 1 Dongpirang Mural Village (동피랑 벽화 마을), 6-18, Dongpirang 1-gil. It is a place where you can see murals painted on the walls. Free.
- 2 Lee Sun-shin Park (이순신 공원), ☏ +82 55 650 1410. 24 hr.
- Nammangsan Sculpture Park displays sculptures by international artists in front of the blue sea and among the green trees and grass.
- Hansando Island One of the remarkable histories that stands comparison with the Admiral Yi Sun-sin's destruction of the Japanese invaders at the Hansan.
- Sebyeonggwan This building whose ancient character attracts visitors all year-round was completed on July 14, 1605, moved the Admiralty to Turyong Port.
- Tongyeong Culture Plaza, 328 Tongyeonghaeallo (in Gangguan), ☏ +556500580. 24 hr. The plaza offers not only a variety of open-air cultural events but also a refuge in weary moments. Gangguan Fishing Port The seashore of Jungang-dong and Hangnam-dong is called "Gangguan,"where the river flows into the sea. Free.
- Yonghwasa, 107-82 Bongsuro, ☏ +556500580. 24 hr. Yonghwasa comprises eight buildings of Bogwawngjeon, Yonghwajeon, Jeongmukdang Halls, Haewollu Pavilion, Tamjindang Halls, Chilseongjeon and two buildings of Myeongbujeon and Yosa including a shrine of 145 pyong floor area and amongst these, Bogwawngjeon is appointed as one of the national tangible culture assets. Free.
- Miraesa Temple, 192 Mireuksangil Sanyang-eup (on the southern slope of Mt. Mireuksan). 09:00-18:00. This temple was built in 1954 as a hidden hermitage for two reverend priests, Hyobong and Seokdu, by a priest named Gusan, the senior disciple of the priest Hyobong. Free.
- Sunset on Dal-a Park, 1115 Sanyangiljuro Sanyang-eup (in the middle of the Sanyang Ring Road). 24 hr. Dal-a Park offers Korea’s best sunset. “Dal-a” was named after the geographical feature resembling to the back tooth of elephant and also means “ideal place to enjoy seeing the moon”. Tongyeong citizens also call it as “Dal-e.” The ring road, known as camellia road to natives, offers visitors spectacular views of Dadohae (Multi-island Sea). Free.
- Hallyo-Haesang National Park, Yeomho-ri Hansan-myeon (around Namhae Island and Geoja Island in Hallyeosudo). 24 hr. The marine national park reaches Odongdo Island of Jelloanam-do Yeosu from Hansando of Tongyeong. Free.
- Jangsado Sea Park Jangsado Sea Park, which is famous as a filming location for the globally popular TV shows “Running Man” and “My Love from the Star,” offers a beautiful garden surrounded by the magnificent sea where camelias and hydrangeas are in full bloom by season.
- Tongyeong Grand Bridge, 경남 사천시 용현면 대밭담로 5-9, ☏ +82 55-860-5800. 24 hr. This 591-m-long and 20-m-wide bridge built from steel-arched truss through freight-girder engineering methods spans over the sea from the Dang-dong District and Bodiseom Islet to Misu-dong District. 196 blue-tinted lights cast numerous rugby ball-shaped reflections on the wavering water, creating mesmerizing nocturnal sentiment. Free.
- Seopirang (the slope of the west), 22, Chungryeol-ro (facing Dongpirang). Famous for its mural village, is dreaming of a "second Dongpirang." From Seoporu Pavilion, at the top of Seopirang, it boasts a panoramic view of Gangguan, the central port of Tongyeong, and Dongpirang on the opposite side.
Do
Attractions
- [formerly dead link] Mt. Mireuksan Cable Car, Bongpyeong-dong 경남 통영시 봉평동. 06:40 - 23:30.
- 1 Tongyeong Cable Car (통영 케이블카), 205 Balgaero, ☏ +821544-3303. It is a place where we can ride a cable car while looking at the scenery of Tongyeong. Adult: round trip ₩14,000, one-way ₩10,500; child: round trip ₩10,000, one-way ₩8,000.
- Skyline Luge Tongyeong, 178 Balgae-ro, ☏ +82 1522-2468. 10:00-17:00. Skyline Luge Tongyeong sits directly below the Tongyeong Cable Car which takes visitors to the top of Mt Mireuksan and offers stunning views across Tongyeong City, the ocean, and surrounding islands.
- Yacht, Donam-dong Marina Resort, ☏ +556410693. You can select a yacht that fits your taste , enjoying marine scenery and sailing at Hallyŏ-Haesang National Park.
- Dpirang, ☏ +82 1544-3303. 19:00-24:00. Digital media devices were installed in each section along the 1.5-km walkway of Nammangsan Park to realize a space of light with 15 themes using advanced realistic media technology.
Festivals
- Tongyeong International Music Festival (TIMF), 38 Keunbalgae1gil Tongyeong-si Gyeongnam, ☏ +556500580. Festival House of TIMF is a place making "Hallyeosudo" of Tongyeong International Music Festival in commemorating the world-famous composer I-sang Yun. The foundation's executive office is in the Festival House and when Hallyeosudo starts with opening performance, this place transforms into so called a Fringe Performance (all other performances except the main performance) an excited Music Hallyeosudo ground of excellent movie amateurs of the country.
- Gwang-do Hydrangea Festival, Gwangdocheon Stream, Gwangdo-myeon. The hydrangea planted in Gwangdocheon Stream is a species called EndIess Summer, and is a symbolical flower of Gwangdo-myeon. Various hydrangeas-related events and experiential festivals where citizens and tourists can hang out together provide attractions and entertainment.
- Tongyeong Hansan Great Battle Festival The Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival is Tongyeong's representative festival, which is usually held in August, and the festival commemorates the establishment of Hansan Battle and Hansan Island Control Center and commemorates Admiral Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin's spirit of saving the country.
Buy
- Joongang (Live Fish) Market (on the opposite side of Ganguan Culture Center). The market sells live fish. Fresh fish caught from the clean water right in the front look yummy. The market is one of the tourists attraction sites.
- Seoho Conventional Market (Early-morning market) (Saetau Market, Morning Market and A-jeok-jae-ja) (in front of the Tongyeong harbor passenger ship terminal). The market has an area of 4,512㎡.
- Tongyeong Traditional Crafts Hall, 642, Donam-dong (in Donam-dong Mireuko Tourism Area in Tongyeong city), ☏ +556453266. The craft hall showcases all kinds of crafts like Tongyeong Mother-of-Pearl Lacquerware made from shells, turban shell and abalone produced in Tongyeong including Tongyeong Gad or Top Hat, Tongyeong Soban or Wooden Tray Table Tongyeong Somok, Tongyeong Daebal, Tongyeong Quilt Bedding, Tongyeong Hand Fan, Tongyeong Traditional Kite and these are sold year around.
- Tongyeong Special Products Sales Center, at Nonghup Hanaro Mart in Docheon-dong, ☏ +556466610. All special products produced from Tongyeong are made in souvenirs. Farm products like Yujacheong, Sangyuja or raw citron, yangdarae, sweet potatoes, Hwahwae, mushrooms and Tongyeong orchid and tasteful marine products caught in clean water and varieties of crafts such as Tongyeong inlaid lacquerware, Tongyeong Kite and traditional quilt bedding are being displayed and sold.
Eat
- Chungmu Gimbap Tongyeong is famous for Chungmu Gimbap (충무김밥), a type of gimbap accompanied by spicy sauce made from baby octopus.
- Oyster dishes (굴 정식) At around USD 20, you can enjoy a variety of oyster dishes, such as seasoned fresh oysters, steamed oysters, and deep-fried oysters.
- Kkullbbang (꿀빵) Kkullbbang is Tongyeong's signature snack which is honey-coated donut with sweet red bean filling. You can find Kkullbbang store anyway in Joongang market and Gangguan area.
- Ujja (우짜) Ujja is Tongyeong's special noodle dish with jajang sauce poured into udon noodles.
- In addition, as a port city, Tongyeong can easily find seafood soup (해물탕), blowfish soup (복국), raw fish (회/sasimi), and grilled fish (생선 구이) restaurants with fresh seafood ingredients.
Drink
Liquor
- Dachi Tongyeong’s unique drinking culture. When you order liquor in a Dajji restaurant, you will be served with an assortment of food selected by the chef. Usually, the menu consists of fresh seafood from Tongyeong. Dachi is also said to be a fisherman's liquor table because it was developed from the alcohol culture that fishermen who endured hard sailing enjoyed.
- Recently, you can find various bars such as wine bar, rooftop bar, and handmade beer.
Coffee
- There are many cafes where you can see the harbor view or have a pretty interior near Gangguan and Dongpirang areas. In addition, you can also find many cafes in the Misu-dong area where you can see the views of Tongyeong Canal and Chungmugyo Bridge.
Sleep
Budget
- Stanford hotel& Resort Tongyeong, ☏ +82 55 725 0000. Standford Hotel&Resort Tongyeong is a Resort Complex where Hotel, Condo and Villa are set Together You Can Enjoy the Prestigious Service of Hotel and Sweets of our Special Condo (4-star hotel).
- 1-4 star hotels (including business style) are available in Tongyeong. The hotels there usually offer ocean view, but be prepared to pay extra for the ocean view.
- You can find a variety of accommodations for backpackers including guesthouse, especially near Gangguan port. You can hang out with travelers and get high-quality information about real spot in Tongyeong.
Mid-range
- All sorts of "Pension (Korean style accommodation.)" can be found throughout the city. Especially, it is located outside where you can see the sea rather than downtown and it offers a spacious room, an ocean view, and sometimes a swimming pool. Prices range from ₩80,000 to ₩300,000 depending on the facility and view.
Splurge
Connect
- Tourist Information Center +82 55 650 0580, 2570
- Tongyeong Express bus Terminal 1688-0017
- Tongyeong port passenger ship Terminal 1666-0960
- Police +112
- Fire Department +119
Go next
- Geoje island is a short bus journey away
- Busan is South Korea's second city, and is a direct 90-minute journey by bus
- Visit Somaemuldo, one hour away by boat