Mokpo (목포시) is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula.
Understand
[edit]
At the very southwestern corner of the Korean peninsular, Mokpo is a large port city with some claim to fame from hosting the Korean Formula 1 circuit. It is located in the southwest end of Jeollanam-do. As of 2020, the population was 227,178, accounting for 12.1% of the total population of Jeollanam-do, the second largest after Yeosu-si and Suncheon-si.
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Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]Mokpo is served by Muan International Airport (MWX IATA). Flights operate domestically from Jeju island, and internationally from Taiwan, Guam, and various cities in China and Southeast Asia. Bus 1000 and an intercity bus route connect the airport to Mokpo.
Most international travellers will enter the country via Incheon International Airport (ICN IATA). Airport buses from ICN to Mokpo take about 4½ hours for ₩40,400. A faster alternative is to take the KTX from Gwangmyeong Station. Airport page for more information.
Alternatively Gwangju airport has regular flights from Seoul Gimpo and Jeju. Intercity buses from Gwangju Songjeong Bus Terminal to Mokpo.
By train
[edit]Mokpo is the southwestern terminus of the South Korean rail system. KTX trains depart from Yongsan Station, with some departing from Seoul Station (about 2½ hr). You can also take a KTX from Gwangmyeong Station. The SRT also serves Mokpo from Suseo.
There is one train per day from Busan (Bujeon Station) but it takes over 6 hours; taking the KTX from Busan Station to Osong and transferring to another bound for Mokpo is a much better option.
By boat
[edit]There are regular car ferries between Mokpo and Jeju-do, and also to some smaller islands in the southwest. Ferries to Jeju depart from the international ferry terminal twice a day and cost ₩32,300.
By bus
[edit]All buses depart from Mokpo Bus Terminal with express services from the Seoul, Incheon, and Suwon as well as intercity buses from various cities in the Seoul metro area and the Jeolla region. From Seoul it is about a four-hour ride.
There is also a flag stop at Namak but it may be difficult to use for travellers who don't speak Korean.
Get around
[edit]
There is a city bus in Mokpo, but a rental car or taxi will get you to the destination you want quickly. If you prepare a translator, you can communicate more easily.
By taxi
[edit]- NiceCall, ☏ +82 1577-3800, 1544-3844.
- MokpoCall, ☏ +82 61-285-7777.
- SingwangCall, ☏ +82 61-278-3003.
- Mokpo Model Call, ☏ +82 61-281-8282.
- Mokpo Private Mihang Call, ☏ +82 61-283-8282.
By rental car
[edit]- Seonu Rent Car, ☏ +82 621-277-7799.
- Dream Rent Car, ☏ +82 61-272-2229.
- Bada Rent Car, ☏ +82 61-284-0031.
- Asan Rent Car, ☏ +82 61-278-4953.
- MK Rent Car, ☏ +82 61-243-0051.
- Noblesse Rent Car, ☏ +82 61-278-7789.
- Hi Rent Car, ☏ +82 61-283-0001.
See
[edit]- 1 Sihwa (시화골목길). Tiny old streets on a hill side, with artistic paintings. Be quiet as people live in these small colorful houses. It was made famous by the drama Love and Ambition. At the top is a small resting area. The best place to spend an hour while waiting for your ferry. Free.
- 2 Gatbawi (갯바위). Big rocks with a strange shape, illuminated at night. Free.
- 3 Yudalsan Park (유달산 공원), 506-58 Jukgyo-dong. 24 hours. Yudalsan is well worth a visit for the commanding view from its summit of the bustling city and the many scenic islands. On your walk up, be sure to visit the noon gun, installed during the Japanese occupation, and two beautiful "Buddhist rock carvings". You can also enter with your dog. There is a cable car that runs from Bukhang (North Port) to the peak of the mountain, and then across the sea to another island. Longest cable car in Korea.
- 4 Gatbawi Literature Hall (갓바위문화타운). Featuring information about famous writers from Mokpo. No English available. ₩2,000.
- 5 Korean International Grand Prix Circuit (영암국제자동차경주장), 2 Efwon-ro, Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun, ☏ +82 61-288-4207. The annual Formula 1 race used to be held here every year around October in the years 2010-2013. It has been removed from the F1 calendar due to quality of the venue considered too low, however.
- 6 Mokpo Peace Plaza (목포평화광장), 82 Pyeonghwa-ro. 24 hours. It is the representative square of Mokpo, and it is a place where you can relax. You can enjoy the sea scenery during the day and the night view of Mokpo in the evening.
- 7 Mokpo Modern History Museum – Hall No. 1 (목포근대역사관 1관), 6, Yeongsan-ro 29beon-gil, ☏ +82 50-71438-0462. Tu-Su 09:30–17:30. It is a museum dedicated to modern history, located in Yudal-dong, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. The main building was used as the Japanese Consulate in Mokpo, and the building of the Oriental Development Company’s Mokpo branch is also part of the museum complex. It is well known as a filming location for television dramas. Built in the neoclassical architectural style, the building has preserved much of its original exterior from the time of construction, and it has been designated as Historic Site No. 289 of South Korea. Adult ₩2,000 won, youths or soldier ₩1,000.
- 8 Mokpo Maritime Museum (목포 해양 유물 전시관), 136, Namnong-ro, ☏ +82 61-270-3001. Tu-Su 09:00–18:00. This is the Mokpo Maritime Museum operated by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage. The Institute is the only national organization in Korea dedicated to excavating and researching underwater cultural heritage, as well as exhibiting its findings.
The museum consists of four permanent exhibition halls, one special exhibition hall, an outdoor exhibition area, and a children’s experience center. The outdoor exhibition area displays actual ships and features playgrounds shaped like boats. The children’s experience center provides various facilities where young visitors can see, touch, and enjoy while learning. In addition, the museum regularly offers a variety of educational programs. free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Yudalsan Flower Festival (유달산 꽃 축제). It is a Mokpo's event held around Mt. Yudal. It is held in early April every year. There are various foods and entertainment options.
- 2 Mokpo Harbor Festival (목포 항구 축제), ☏ +82 61 270-8441. It is a festival held around October every year at Mokpo Port and Samhakdo Island. In the year 25, it took place from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28. The timing of the festival may vary every year, so please refer to the linked site. The festival allows visitors to enjoy the traditions of Mokpo. You can cook seasonal seafood purchased through an auction on the spot.
- 3 Mokpo World Madang Festival (목포세계마당페스티벌). It is a festival where artists from eight countries, including Laos and China, participate in overseas guest performances and parties where you can experience free markets, food trucks, and beer.
- 4 Mokpo Marine Cable Car North Port Station (목포 해상 케이블카), 240, Haeyangdaehak-ro, ☏ +82 61-244-2600. F Sa 09:00-20:00, Su-Th 09:00-19:00. The Mokpo Marine Cable Car serves as a new hub of marine tourism, leisure, and cultural sightseeing, offering a panoramic view of Mokpo’s old downtown—the historic center of Slow City Mokpo—along with North Port, Yudalsan Mountain, and the beautiful scenery of the Dadohae, including Gohado Island. Taking into account the topography and outstanding landscape of Yudalsan, the cable car spans 3.23 km—the longest in Korea—and reaches a height of 155 meters, the highest in the country.
- 5 Mokpo Peace Plaza Marine Leisure Experience Classroom (평화광장 해양레저 체험교실), 82 Pyeonghwa-ro, ☏ +82 61-270-3494. 10:00~17:00. This activity allows you to experience marine leisure sports in the waters off Mokpo Peace Plaza. You can try kayaking, paddleboating, and jet boating. It operates annually from September to October, and you should check the website for detailed schedules. Admission is free, but reservations for activities must be made online. Free.
- 6 Samhakdo Cruise (삼학도 크루즈), 104, Samhak-ro 92beon-gil, ☏ +82 61-245-3222. Departure times - 11:00, 14:30, 18:00, 18:30. You can enjoy the Mokpo coastline aboard a cruise that can accommodate up to 890 passengers. Each cruise lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. It departs from Samhakdo Island and passes 14 locations, including Mokpo Bridge, before returning. The route may change depending on weather conditions. Fireworks Busking Cruise: ₩35,000 (adult) ₩22.000 (minor) / Samhakdo Cruise: ₩20,000 (adult), ₩12,000 (minor) / Sunset Yacht: ₩50,000 (adult), ₩35,000 / Public Yacht: ₩30,000 (adult), ₩20,000 (minor).
Buy
[edit]- 1 Lotte Premium Outlets Namak Branch, 80 Namak-ro 162beon-gil, Samhyang-eup, Muan-gun. 10:30-21:00. Lotte Premium Outlet Namak branch is the largest shopping space in the region where Lotte Mart, restaurants, kids playground, and pet store are harmonized.
- 2 Mokpo Central Market (Mokpo Dongmyung Fishery market), 34, 121-gil, Yeongsan-ro, ☏ +82 61-244-1555. 24 hours. You can buy primary food, secondary processing food, furnishing and kitchen materials
- 3 Jayu Market, Namjin Night Market (목포 자유시장(남진야시장)), 1383, Sanjeong-dong, ☏ +82 61-245-1615. 07:00-22:00. You can buy Agricultural product, fishery, livestock product, dried product, factory-made product, restaurant
Eat
[edit]Mokpo is famous for its raw ray fish. There are a lot of sushi restaurants in Mokpo. Sushi sold in Mokpo is generally cheaper than in other regions. Here are nine famous foods from Mokpo.
9 Taste of Mokpo
[edit]- Whiparm Octopus (목포세발낙지). Octopus is prepared into 13 dishes, including octopus soup, seasoned raw octopus and beef rib and octopus soup
- Fermented skate and pork with kimchi (홍어삼합). Wrap skate and pork in properly ripe kimchi, and refreshing makgeolli. Only available in Mokpo.
- Spicy swimming crab salad (꽃게무침). Plump blue crab meat seasoned with various condiments is added to a bowl of warm rice. The sweet taste of crab and savory seasoning are mixed.
- Stewed beltfish (갈치조림). Beltfish caught off the coast of Mokpo from the end of September are known for its sweet and savory taste.
- Seasoned Chinese herring (준치무침). Enjoy the sweet and sour taste of Chinese herring to stimulate your apetite.
- Monkfish soup (Agwi-jjim) (아구탕, 아구찜). Monkfish is transformed into the spicy and healthy taste.The sweet and spicy flavor of monkfish soup when mixed with rice will bring you back to this menu again.
- Sliced raw croaker (민어회). This meaty and sweet raw croacker tastes best in Mokpo because you can taste all parts of the croacker from its skin to bladd
- Sliced raw silver pomfret (병어회). Pomfret with less fat tastes the best when eaten with vinegar red-pepper paste. It is easily digested and is known to prevent adult diseases.
- Rockfish soup (우렁간국). Boiled rockfish in soup with the fresh and clean taste.
One of representative product of Mokpo is Whiparm Octopus. It is called 'Nakji' in Korean. The Whiparm octopus is small in size, so it can be rolled up with wooden chopsticks or boiled octopus soup.
- 1 Dokcheon Restaurant, 3-1, 64beon-gil, Honam-ro, ☏ +82 61-244-8622. 10:30-21:00. It is a famous octopus dish restaurant for locals. All menus consist of dishes made of whiparm octopus. ₩15,000-55,000.
- 2 Tteulche small octopus specialty shop (낙지전문점 뜰채), 1st floor, 229, Haeyangdaehak-ro (Jukgyo-dong), ☏ +82 61-244-9995. 10:30-21:00 (closed on Monday). You can enjoy whiparm octopus dishes. You can whiparm octopus or eat it raw. ₩40,000-75,000.
- 3 Yeongnan Raw Fish Restaurant (영란횟집), 47, Beonhwa-ro (Jungang-dong 1ga), ☏ +82 61-244-0311. 10:00-22:00. The main menu is dishes related to raw croaker. You can eat croaker sashimi, spicy fish stew, and whiparmoctopus. ₩25,000-125,000.
- 4 Seonchang Raw Fish Restaurant (선창횟집), 6-1, Manho-ro (Geum-dong 2ga), ☏ +82 61-244-3708. 09:00-21:00 (closed on Sundays), break from 15:00-17:00. Main dish is 'Herring Sashimi Bibimbab'. You can also try 'Silver pomfret' and 'Largehead hairtail' dishes. Recommended using a translator for communication ₩10,000-50,000.
- 5 Jindong Raw Fish Restaurant (진동회집), 62-1, Yeongsan-ro (Muan-dong), ☏ +82 61-243-3555. 11:00-22:00. It is a restaurant where you can eat raw fish, spicy fish soup, and sushi. ₩20,000-60,000.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Moe’s bar & Tattoo Space, 63, Tongil-daero, ☏ +82 10-2600-6824. 13:00~01:00. Nice western bar run by a guy from California. Offers countless kinds of beers and cocktails. Free popcorn. ₩2,500-10,000.
- 2 Daebandong 201 (대반동 201), 59, Haeyangdaehak-ro, ☏ +82 61-244-8884. 09:30-21:00. It is a cafe where you can drink bread and coffee while looking at the sea and cable cars in Mokpo. ₩4,000-20,000.
- 3 Suksan (석산), 588, Goha-daero, ☏ 1533-2302. 10:00-22:00. It is a cafe where you can eat bread and coffee. You can also use the second floor. ₩10,000-20,000.
- 4 Injerto (인헤르또), 57, Pyeonghwa-ro, ☏ +82 61-282-0063. 09:00-21:00. It is a large cafe that can be used up to the third floor. You can eat various kinds of bread, coffee, and tea. ₩5,000-20,000.
- 5 Yudal Sanjang (유달산장), 119, Yudal-ro (It is a 3-minute walk from the parking lot of Mt. Yudal.), ☏ 061-247-0119. 10:00-18:00. It is a cafe in Mt. Yudal. You can eat bread, coffee, ramen, etc. ₩5,000-7,500.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Norway Guesthouse (목포 노르웨이 게스트 하우스), 12, Honam-ro 64beon-gil, Mokwon-dong (from the train station, walk straight two blocks, then turn right and walk 200 m until you see a green building with a Norwegian flag). Clean dormitory with breakfast included. Trendy first floor with WiFi, helpful staff when reception is open. If you arrive late, they can give you the door code. ₩22,000.
- 2 Shinan Beach Hotel (신안비치호텔), Coastal Road 2, Yudal-dong, ☏ +82 61 243 3399. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Regarded as Mokpo's top hotel. Rooms are mainly "ondol" floor-heated, or twin. ₩100,000, 50% discount during off-peak season.
- 3 Hadang Boseok Sauna Jjimjilbang (하당보석사우나찜질방), 1000-4 Sang-dong (as you walk north from Lotte Cinema, you can see the sign on the left, behind other buildings, from the main street), ☏ +82 61-281-8102. Check-in: anytime, check-out: anytime. This jjimjilbang is next to a small park surrounded by buildings near the airport. The jjimjilbang clothing is very comfortable, but the common area is OK. The floor (in July) is hot enough to make you sweat. There are no floor mats, and the head rests are made of wood and uncomfortable. Try sleeping in an area up some stairs with a low ceiling, which has open windows and a cool floor, which is very comfortable. The restaurant is decent. There is a room for sleeping which has outlets for charging phones, but the air is stuffy. There is another jjimjilbang nearby, near Lotte Cinema. ₩12,000/night.
Connect
[edit]To access Wi-Fi at major tourist attractions in Mokpo, you can select "Mokpo FREE WiFi" in the wireless Internet settings.
In Yeongsan-ro, there is a Mokpo Central Post Office that has jurisdiction over Mokpo City. Korea's postal insignia is orange and white, and can be found on post office signs. Most post offices sell boxes and packaging.
- 1 Mokpo Central Post Office (목포우체국), 288, Yeongsan-ro, ☏ +82 61-270-6215. M-F 09:00-18:00.
Go next
[edit]To continue on to the islands to the south by bus, visitors must depart from the intercity bus terminal. A ticket on a coach bus to the island of Jindo costs ₩6,000 and the trip takes just over an hour. This bus runs every 30-45 minutes from 06:15 - 20:30.
You may also want to consider a trip from the city's passenger ferry terminal, from which boats run to a dozen nearby islands, many of which are part of a marine national park. Heungdae (about ₩40,000 round trip) and Hongdo (about ₩75,000 round trip) are particularly beautiful.
| Routes through Mokpo |
| END ← | SW  NE
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→ Naju → Gwangju |