Yokjido
Yokjido (Korean: 욕지도) is an island in Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and as the name suggests, it is the center of Yokji-myeon, the largest island, and the 36th largest island in Korea.
The island has 1,991 residents. In addition to Yokjido Island, there are about 55 attached islands, including 10 inhabited islands such as Udo Island, Yeonhwado Island, and Dumido Island, and 45 uninhabited islands.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]In the past, it was also called Nokdo. It was called Yokjildo in the early Joseon Dynasty, but later changed its name to Yokjido.
Geography
[edit]The overall topography of the island is very steep, and the arable area is narrow due to the development of hills, and coastal cliffs due to erosion are developed on the coast. Naturally, it is not a good land for farming because there are not many flatlands, so residents do a lot of field farming, mainly growing sweet potatoes. The highest peak of the island is Cheonhwangsan Mountain in the center of the island, which is about 392 m high. It is a mountain with long ridges from east to west, and there is a deep bay in the middle, creating a natural port topography. Therefore, even though the public road policy was implemented until the end of the Joseon Dynasty, it seems that it continued to serve as a naval base. Mackerel is farmed in the bay.
Get in
[edit]Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- White harpoon beach(흰 작살 해수욕장): White harpoon is a place name created by a large number of white harpoon(gravel) on the coast. It is a small beach that appears about a five-minute drive from Yokjido Island in Tongyeong, known as Korea's greenest sea, while you can enjoy Mongdol Pebble Beach while looking at the open South Pacific Ocean.
- Deokdong Beach(덕동 해수욕장): There are almost no sandy beaches on Yokjido Island, which is covered only with rocks. Beaches such as Yu-dong, Deok-dong, and White harpoon are also covered with pebbles the size of a fist. Among them, the most beautiful place is Deokdong Beach, which consists of a small Mongdol beach of about 300m. The surrounding seashore rock is widely known as a sea fishing site, and anglers often visit it.
- Yudong Beach(유동 해수욕장): The beach is a good place to walk around Mongdol Beach and soak your feet and take a walk rather than enjoy the beach. It is safe to use aqua shoes as much as possible because your feet can hurt. There are also many people who like that walking on the Mongdol has a foot pressure effect.
- The Garden of New Eden(새에덴동산): A special story is told in the new Eden Garden, which has emerged as a new attraction in Yokjido. One day, a mother who was praying with all her heart for her daughter, who was sentenced to a time limit, heard a voice saying, "Go to the southern end of the island." The mother, who moved her life from Busan to Yokjido Island in Tongyeong, breaks stones under the ground every day for her sick daughter to build a temple of faith. Above all, the motherhood for her daughter is enough to inspire viewers.
Festival
[edit]- Sunrise Festival: An annual event welcoming the new year with the mesmerizing sunrise.
- Marine Festival: Featuring a range of sea-related activities like water sports, seafood samplings, and beach clean-ups.
- Cultural Arts Festival: Showcasing traditional games, performances, and art exhibitions.
- Marine Experience Festival: Engage in sea fishing, boat trips, and diverse water sports.
Do
[edit]Yokjido Monorail: A tourist monorail where you can see the whole view of Yokjido at once.
Fishing spot
[edit]Yokjido Island is popular with anglers because it is rich in fish. Below are the famous fishing spots on Yokjido Island
- Samyang Port: This area is renowned as one of the popular fishing spots on Yokji Island. It offers a variety of fish species and picturesque surroundings.
- Dongpi Port: Adjacent to the Yokji Coastal Walk, Dongpi Port is known for its abundant fish species, making it a favored spot for fishing enthusiasts.
- Jamaebong: Known for its scenic beauty, Jamaebong is another spot where you can enjoy fishing.
Additionally, there are several other fishing spots across the island. Local tourist offices or guides can provide more specific information. Nonetheless, it's essential to check regulations and prioritize safety before indulging in fishing activities.
Buy
[edit]- "Jewels of the Sea, Yokji Island's Coastal Fish: Freshly caught coastal fish from the waters surrounding Yokji Island boast a rich, locally nurtured flavor. Representative varieties include scallops, sea cucumbers, and abalones."
Eat
[edit]Regional products
[edit]- Sweet potatoes
The most famous specialty is sweet potatoes. It grows in the strong sea breeze of Yokjido Island so it has an excellent taste. Despite the high price of more than ₩10,000 per kg, it cannot be sold due to lack of supplies during the harvest season.
- Tangerines
Unlike tangerines in Jeju Island, Yokjido tangerines are characterized by ugly tangerines, large in size, thick skin, and sour taste rather than sweet taste. Pulp is also soft in Jeju Island, while tangerines in Yokjido Island are elastic. The price is about ₩20,000 for 20 kg.
- Seafood
There are abundant fish species including sea breams, and seaweed and oyster farming are active on the coast. Mackerel sashimi is also a delicacy. Mackerel dies quickly when trapped in a tank, so it is difficult to use as a raw fish, but it is easy to eat because the area of production is close.
- Mackerel sashimi: Mackerel sashimi, which is hard to eat on land because it dies quickly on land, is a famous specialty of Yokjido Island.
Dessert
[edit]- Gomewon Donuts(고메원 도넛): Sweet donuts made from sweet potatoes, a specialty of Yokjido
Drink
[edit]- Gomesun(고메순): 1000ml homemade sweet potato makgeolli. (rice wine) Dry and featuring moderate acidity and carbonation.
- Gomejin(고메진): 500ml traditional handmade makgeolli. It is aged at low temperatures for 50 days, featuring a deep and intense flavor
Sleep
[edit]- Yokjido Cheongbori Auto Camp(욕지도 청보리 오토 캠핑장): An auto camping site where you can enjoy the beautiful sea experience and fishing in one place in Yokjido, Tongyeong.
- Dine Pension(다인펜션): The view of the ocean view from the whole room is very eye-catching. Customer satisfaction is very high in the hygiene area.
- Daepung Rock Auto Camp(대풍바위 오토 캠핑장): It is an auto campground where couples, friends, and families can enjoy.
- Yokjido Tourist Farm Caravan Accommodation: This is a Yokjido Caravan Campground made with wonderful landscaping and nature. Depending on the season, you can experience Yokjido sweet potatoes, wheat persimmons, and red scented rural areas..
- Optatio Pension: Description Recommended as a separate house, open ocean view, family pension, and couple pension. There's also a fishing point on the seashore that's only available for guests.
- Yangji Pension: A small Yangji Pension that borders the port of bathing. It is a small pension, so it is private and quiet, and you can walk to important tourist destinations such as Hanyang Restaurant, Halmae Barista, and Mororail.