[Jo Yongjun's Journey Manli] Romantic Mokpo... Best Spots for Night Views

Authentic Romantic Vibes: Nighttime Tourist Attractions in Mokpo

The night of Mokpo has changed. Recently, Hanggu Pocha, which opened at the old Coast Guard pier in Samhakdo, has established itself as a new nighttime hotspot.

In Mokpo, the city of flavors, you can enjoy over 100 different dishes, including local specialties, at 15 harbor pocha (street food stalls).

Mureungdowon Yudalsan Mountain and the Marine Cable Car Where Clouds Drift By

The Dancing Sea Fountain installed in front of Peace Square is putting on a spectacular water and light show.

Night view of Mokpo, Mokpo Bridge, and the marine cable car as seen from the Samhakdo Cruise

Skywalk opening at the end of this month

[Asia Economy Reporter Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist]The harbor, heated intensely, is being gently soaked by the pouring summer rain. As darkness falls over the blue waves, the harbor flickers with lights one by one. The country's longest marine cable car, departing from Yudalsan, heads toward Gohado Island through the darkness. The islands of the Dadohae Archipelago, approaching within the sunset, and the Mokpo Bridge adorned with splendid lights, sparkle brightly. In the distance, at the Samhakdo harbor street stalls, the laughter of romantic guests and the freshness of seafood intoxicate the rainy night sea. The busking performances blending with the night sea view create joyful memories. The Samhakdo sightseeing cruise around the Dadohae Archipelago promises a night more beautiful than the day. And that's not all. The Dancing Sea Fountain, selected as one of the top 100 night tourism spots, dazzles the sea and travelers every night. Summer is a season when the night is beautiful. The port city Mokpo has also changed. Now, Mokpo shines as a night view hotspot more beautiful than flowers. The night is as lovely and enjoyable as any harbor.

No matter how beautiful and scenic a travel destination is, visiting during the summer midday can be exhausting. But at night, the story changes. This season is more splendid and enjoyable at night than during the day. Although there are many renowned night travel spots nationwide, I headed to the recently rising Mokpo.

Mokpo is a place full of night view hotspots, with three locations selected by the Korea Tourism Organization in the 'Top 100 Night Tourism Spots in Korea': the marine cable car, the Dancing Sea Fountain, and the Gatbawi Marine Walkway. Recently, harbor street stalls and cruise tours have been added, making it even more splendid.

The first night view to enjoy is the Mokpo Marine Cable Car, where you can admire the golden sunset and night view of the Dadohae Archipelago. Starting from the North Port, it stretches a total length of 3.23 km to Yudalsan, the sea in front of Mokpo, and Gohado Island, offering an overwhelming ride distance and sights, earning it the reputation as the best in Asia. The round trip takes 40 minutes.

Enjoying the cable car during the day is good, but if you use it at sunset, the cable car and the dazzling sunset painting the Dadohae Archipelago red deliver a thrilling impression.

With excitement, I boarded the cable car. After a brief sway, it floated gently. Soon, it moved calmly toward Yudalsan. Through the window, the atmosphere of Yudalsan and its rugged rocky formations came into full view. Facing Yudalsan, which I had only looked up at before, up close, its grandeur is a magnificent sight. In the distance, ships passing through the sea in front of Mokpo and the old town area with its distinctive red roofs unfolded like a painting.

Arriving at Yudal Station, a mid-point rest area and observatory, I took a 15-minute trip to the summit of Yudalsan, Ilteung Rock, and before I knew it, the sun had set. Lights turned on in each cable car cabin. The city night view from the observatory was dazzling. Lights also began to illuminate Mokpo's famous spots like Yudalsan and Gatbawi one by one. Unlike the daytime scenery, the nighttime cable car offers a different view. The romantic lights shimmering over the splendid night sea create a deep ambiance.

Passing Yudal Station, the cable car crosses the darkened Dadohae Archipelago. Slowly gaining altitude and passing the 155m main tower, the cabin moves steadily over the sea. The jewel-like scenic beauty of the Dadohae Archipelago and the splendid lighting of Mokpo Bridge brighten the sea.

After enjoying the marine cable car, let's visit a new night view hotspot. Mokpo Harbor Street Stalls opened at the (former) Coast Guard Pier on Samhakdo. You can feel the romance of the beautiful harbor of Samhakdo and the atmosphere of the night sea.

The food quality is incomparable to street stalls in other regions. The 15 harbor street stalls captivate travelers' tastes with over 100 diverse menus featuring Mokpo's 9 flavors, including octopus, croaker, and fermented skate three-way dish, reflecting the harbor's unique characteristics fitting for the city of taste, Mokpo.

The 15 operators, selected through strict screening, have a special dedication. They are determined to make the harbor street stalls the best famous street stalls in Korea with delicious food, friendliness, and cleanliness.

Fresh seafood bites and the laughter of romantic guests soak the night sea with intoxication. Sitting at the street stalls with friends, lovers, or family, chatting or taking photos, the beautiful night becomes a wonderful memory.

On Fridays, busking performances add romance to the harbor street stalls. These can be enjoyed on the permanent outdoor stage in front of the stalls, with Mokpo Inner Harbor and Yudalsan as the backdrop.

Mayor Kim Jong-sik of Mokpo explained, "The 15 harbor street stalls, designed with a unified concept considering safety and aesthetics, are prepared to offer the best food and emotions fitting for the city of taste."

"Although tourists decreased due to the COVID-19 impact, we prioritize quarantine and prevention to ensure tourists visiting Mokpo can stay safely," Mayor Kim added.

Next to the harbor street stalls at Samhakdo Harbor, large and small cruise ships have newly launched. You can enjoy tours of sunsets, sunrises, night views, and fireworks.

The large ship, 'Samhakdo Cruise,' is the largest domestic cruise ship with a gross tonnage of 969 tons and a passenger capacity of 570. It is equipped with a performance hall, banquet hall, outdoor event space, and observatory. The smaller 'Yudalsan Cruise' is 196 tons with a passenger capacity of 189.

At night, the cruise route takes about one hour, circling Samhakdo - Marine Cable Car Tower - Mokpo Bridge - Gatbawi - Peace Plaza - Sea Fountain. During the day, Jangjwado and Dallido Islands are added, extending the trip to 1 hour 30 minutes.

The finale of Mokpo's night view hotspots is the Dancing Sea Fountain. When dusk falls, hundreds of fountains installed in front of Peace Plaza start their water jets, beginning the show. It can also be viewed from the cruise. The fountain, which once danced splendidly to the melody of In Nayoung's 'Tears of Mokpo,' now gracefully moves to classical tunes. Then, a dazzling laser show colors the night sea. It is the world's first floating marine fountain with a maximum spray height of 70 meters. Visitors' stories and song requests are sometimes introduced along with the laser show.

The Gatbawi Marine Walkway is also a unique night view attraction. Named after its shape resembling a person wearing a traditional Korean hat (satgat), Gatbawi has been designated as Natural Monument No. 500 for its value.

Walking along the walkway built to offer direct views from the sea, the night lighting harmonizing with the mysterious and unique charm of Gatbawi creates a romantic and beautiful atmosphere.

The 'Skywalk' under construction on the Daebandong coast opened at the end of this month. The skywalk, protruding over the sea, is 54 meters long and 15 meters high, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views and feel the thrill of walking over the sea.

Below the entrance to the skywalk is 'Cafe 201,' a popular photo spot gaining fame. Sitting down with a cup of coffee, you can take in the sea in front of Mokpo, Mokpo Bridge, and the skywalk all at once.

Mokpo = Text and photos by Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist jun21@asiae.co.kr

◇Travel Notes

△Getting There= If coming from the metropolitan area, take the Seohaean Expressway to the end, where the Mokpo Interchange appears. Using the KTX train to Mokpo Station, the old town area, marine cable car, and Samhakdo harbor street stalls are within close reach.

When you sit at Cafe 201, a hot spot in Mokpo, you can see Mokpo Bridge and the Skywalk all at once.

△Attractions=Within 5 minutes from Mokpo Station are the Modern History Museum, Old Japanese Consulate, Oriental Development Company, and other modern cultural historical sites. Additionally, there are Yudalsan, Gatbawi, Samhakdo, Seosan-dong Village (photo), the filming location of the movie 1987's Yeonhee's Supermarket, National Maritime Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, In Nayoung Park, Ongeum-dong Dasungumi Village, Mokpo Bridge, and Gohado Yongmeori Road.

△Food=Including Mokpo's 9 flavors such as three-legged octopus, spicy crab salad, fermented skate three-way dish, croaker sashimi, braised cutlassfish, butterfish sashimi (photo), halfbeak salad, spicy monkfish stew, and rockfish soup, the clam spicy salad at Haechon in Peace Plaza is also a local favorite. In Jukdong, there is a snack shop selling Ssukkkulle, a nostalgic snack of Mokpo high school girls from over 60 years ago. The Kolom Bread Bakery, known as one of the top five bakeries nationwide, is also famous.