Mokpo (목포시) is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula.
Understand
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.
Get in
By plane
Mokpo is served by Muan International Airport (IATA: MWX). 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 (IATA: ICN). 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
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). 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
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
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
See
- Sihwa (시화골목길), 34.782304°, 126.377790°. Tiny old streets on a hill side, with artistic paintings. Be quiet as people actually 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
- Gatbawi (갯바위), 34.791914°, 126.425700°. Big rocks with a strange shape, illuminated at night. Free
- Yudalsan Park (유달산 공원). 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".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.
- Sculpture Garden. On the east side of the ring road surrounding Yudalsan is an impressive sculpture garden showing about 50 large pieces from around the world.
- Gatbawi Literature Hall. Featuring information about famous writers from Mokpo. No English available. ₩2,000
- Korean International Grand Prix Circuit. The annual Formula 1 race used to be held here every year around October. It has been removed from the F1 calendar.
- Pyeonghwa Plaza. There are a lot of cafe and restaurants near by the sea. You can easily approach from anywhere in Mokpo.
Do
- Yudalsan Flower Festival (유달산 꽃 축제), 34.796640°, 126.371887°. It is a Mokpo's event held around Mt. Yudal. It is held in early April every year. 2019-10-11
Buy
Eat
- 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.
Drink
- Moe's Bar and Grille, Rose Street (upstairs from Eleven AM Cafe). 20:00-02:00. Nice western bar run by a guy from California. Offers countless kinds of beers and cocktails. Free popcorn. ₩2,500-10,000
Sleep
- Norway Guesthouse, 34.793285°, 126.385229°. 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
- Kumho Beach Hotel, +82 61-2425700. Clean and modern rooms. Cable, Internet and PC in the rooms. Five minutes from the train station and not far from the ferries. Kumho is a very tall building which can be seen from a distance. If you go to the surrounding area, there are many smaller lovelier motels. ₩40,000
- Shinan Beach Hotel, +82 61 243 3399. Regarded as Mokpo's top hotel. Rooms are mainly "ondol" floor-heated, or twin. ₩100,000, 50% discount during off-peak season
- Hadang Boseok Sauna Jjimjilbang, 1000-4 Sang-dong, Mokpo-si (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. 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. ₩10,000/night
Connect
Go next
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.