Mokpo travel info

Mokpo sits at the south-western tip of the Korean peninsula. The port opened in 1897, and a few of the Japanese- and Western-style buildings from that era still stand between the alleys, now serving as museums. From Mokpo Station you can walk to the old quarter, the Modern History Museum and the foot of Yudalsan. Yudalsan is a rocky hill right behind the town; from the top you see the harbour and the islands scattered across the sea. Halfway up there is the spot of the old noon gun and a Buddha carved into the rock.

Eating is half the itinerary here. The catch from the sea off Shinan funnels into this port, so fine-armed octopus, fermented skate, raw croaker, spicy marinated crab and braised beltfish are known as the Five Flavours of Mokpo. The city goes further and promotes nine, adding butterfish sashimi and monkfish stew. The skate hits your nose first, but with makgeolli in hand you keep reaching for another piece. After dark, the marine cable car at North Port runs more than three kilometres across the water, and the Samhakdo cruise has a fireworks version at night.

It is about two and a half hours from Seoul by KTX, and since Mokpo is the end of the line, there's no risk of missing your stop. The catch is that the intercity bus terminal is about 4 km from the station, out in the newer part of town. Boats to the Shinan islands, Hongdo, Heuksando and Bigeumdo, all leave from this same harbour.

From Seoul (KTX)

From Gwangju, Muan Airport and nearby (BUS)

By ferry (Jeju and the islands) (SEA)