Yeosu City Undertakes Renovation of Major Tourist Attractions

Promotion of Tourism-Linked Projects in Preparation for Yeosu World Islands Expo

Yeosu City in Jeollanam-do has embarked on a makeover to provide attractions for visitors and promote sustainable tourism in preparation for the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.

According to the city on the 17th, existing facilities at major tourist sites in the eastern Yeosu area will be improved and supplemented, while various new projects will be promoted in the western area, which has been relatively undeveloped for tourism.

[Photo by Yeosu City]

First, at Hyangiram Hermitage on Dolsan Island, a representative tourist destination in the eastern area, access roads and walkways have been improved, and the Sunrise Plaza has been newly renovated with a sunrise photo zone, sunrise observatory, and nighttime landscape lighting.

Additionally, the Peace Theme Village, which exhibits a North Korean semi-submersible submarine, is undergoing a regeneration project costing 1.8 billion KRW to modernize the exhibition space, and to create a VR experience center, outdoor exhibition area, and parking lot by next year.

On Geomundo Island, to revitalize Bireong-gil Trail, a suspension bridge (116m) was added and opened on Course 4 in April.

In the western area, with the opening of National Route 77, a South Coast tourism belt connecting Yeosu and Goheung has been formed, dispersing tourists who had been concentrated in the eastern area to the west. The plan is to establish themed tourism infrastructure throughout Yeosu, including the original downtown area.

As the first step, on Jeokgeumdo Island, a major island connected by the Baekri Seomseom-gil Trail, a 2.6 km walking trail was created, and resources such as the ‘Geumgul’ cave were developed along with convenience facilities like restrooms and parking lots.

Also, at Haerum Hill on Jobaldo Island, a scenic rest area including a pavilion and shade shelters where tourists can rest was recently completed, and a skywalk is planned to be installed by next year.

Meanwhile, on Gaedo Island, a sub-venue for the Islands Expo, theme tourism resource development projects are underway.

With a total project cost of 9.1 billion KRW, the first phase this year includes the installation of an observatory and improvement of pedestrian paths, and next year, the second phase will develop Cheongseokpo, a sacred site for backpackers.

The third and fourth phases will include the creation of Witchmok Park and parking lot, as well as an anti-aging wellness forest trail project.

In particular, Nangdo and Sado Islands, which will become key tourist destinations in the western area, will see the installation of a pedestrian bridge 890m long and 3m wide, with a budget of 17.3 billion KRW, to widely promote hidden natural tourism resources such as dinosaur fossil sites.

In the Baekya Bridge area of Hwayang-myeon, as the first phase of a southern regional wide-area tourism development project, a ‘Marine Wellness Center’ equipped with a themed spa and seawater fitness facilities will be established by 2027.

Meanwhile, in the private sector, a Ferris wheel currently being promoted at Art Land is scheduled to open in mid-July, expected to become a new tourism landmark in Yeosu.

Jeong Gi-myeong, mayor of Yeosu, said, “We plan to expand distinctive tourism resource development projects based on beautiful islands, seas, and natural tourism resources,” adding, “We will provide various attractions to visitors attending the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.”