Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, the sister city of Yeonsu-gu
Seonyudo, a natural marine tourist island full of greenness
Photos Gunsan City Hall)
Lying in waters off the Honam plain, Seonyudo is famous for picturesque scenery like its namesake,which means a wandering Taoist hermit.
The beach has a long and narrow sand line and large rocks on the top of Mangjubong peak, offering spectacular scenery.
Seonyudo is truly a natural marine tourist attraction, and if you seek a cool breeze and blue sea, the island is a can’t-miss spot..
Covering 2.13㎢ with a population of more than five million, Seonyudo lies in the heart of the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago and consists of some 20 islands in Gunsan, including Sinsido, Munyeodo, Bangchukdo and Maldo. Seonyudo is about 50km southwest of Gunsan and its name was inspired by the beautiful scenery that attracted Taoist hermits. Seonyudo is famous for 10 Ri beach, with fine crystal sand, and since opening Gubul 8-gil, it now has climbing and tracking courses including Mangjubong and Seonyubong. Moverover, the island is full of things to see and enjoy such as the Eight Scenic Views of Seonyu, including the Seonyu sunset, Myeongsasip-ri, Samdogyuibeom, fishing, tideland, motor boats and banana boats.
Seonyudo has the Eight Scenic Views of Seonyu. Myeongsasip-ri is five-minutes away by foot from Seonyudo wharf. Thank to fine crystal sand, it feels so nice and soft when walking or running on the beach. Down on Jeonweol-ri and Namak-ri from the beachis the famous rock mountain Mangjubong.
Mangju waterfall, one of the Eight Scenic Views of Seonyu, has a spectacular six to seven water strips pouring down from Mangjubong cliff when raining. The eight view also include Seonyunakjo, a charming sunset on Seonyudo beach; Samdogyuibeom, where fishing boats return home among three uninhabited islands near Munyeodoisland; and Jangjaeowha, with the lights of fishing boats at night; Musan12bong, or 12 mountaintops that look like dancing in the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago; Yeongwoeldanpung, or autumn colors at Weolyeongbong (199m) peak on Sinsido; and Pyeongsanakan, a sand plain that looks like a wild goose on land. A can’t-miss spot is the sunset viewed from Seonyudo.
The sunset colors the sea west of and sky above the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago to magnificent effect. The sunset from the top of Mangjubong peak is also breathtaking but the beautiful glow of the setting sun is also visible from Seonyu Bridge between Seonyudo and Munyeodo and the coast road under the bridge. Scenic view lovers and photographers should see the sunset from the top of Mangjubong, Daejangbong and Seonyubong peaks.
The real attraction of the Yellow Sea (called the West Sea in Korea) is the marine life in the wetlands that tourists can feel and touch. The foreshore of the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago is so generous with its plentiful organic seafood.
In particular, the foreshore near the pine tree complex of Seonyudo is famous for razor clam. Shovel the surface of mud and put salt into small holes, then razor clams put out their heads thinking that sea water is coming in at low tide. When the head comes up halfway, simply snatch the clam. Visitors can also catch Manila and short-necked clams as well. No cars are allowed on the island as Seonyudo has few roads wide enough for motorized vehicles. So bicycling is the preferred way to travel around the Island. Seonyudo and its neighbors are all ideal forhiking given their small sizes and flat land. Rent is affordable and Jangjado, Daejangdo and Munyeodo islands are easily traveled since they are connected to Seonyudo by small bridges.
A hiking course covering 9.28km from Seonyudo to Munyeodo and Jangja islands is the most popular activity for family tourists.
Gunsan has renovated Gubul-8gil on Gogunsan road for bicycle hiking and tracking. Mangjubong and Seonyubong on Seonyudo, Daejangbong on Daejangdo, and Munyeobong on Munyeodo are all hour-long tour courses as they consists of gently rolling hills. A few rocky sections are in those courses but so is a panoramic view of the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago.
To get to Seonyudo, take a ferry from Gunsan Coastal Ferry Terminal. The ferry to Seonyudo departs every one to two hours from 9 a.m. five times a day. More ferries are operated in peak season. It takes 50 minutes by high-speed boat and 80 minutes by speed ferry.
Contact : Gunsan City Hall of Culture and Tourism
☎ (063) 454-4000 http://tour.gunsan.go.kr/
