MOKPO, SOUTH KOREA: Many tourists going to Jeju are more likely to transfer from an international flight to an hour domestic flight to Jeju. This includes transiting from Incheon Airport to Gimpo Airport. However, if you have more time to spare, you might be surprised what gems you find if you decide to take the slow route through Mokpo, using the train or bus.
Here are five reasons why it is worth your time to travel to Mokpo to catch a ferry to Jeju.
Land connection by bus or train to Mokpo
Mokpo is located at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula which is well connected by land transport. You can choose to take KTX, Korea’s High-Speed Rail, which will take you about 2.5 hrs from Seoul to Mokpo. If you are arriving from Incheon International airport, you will need to take the train to Seoul Station before transferring to KTX. To book the train ticket, go to Letskorail. Even if you are in other parts of Korea, you can easily take ITX, which is a slower train.
Another alternative is the Intercity Bus and you can catch the Express Bus. It will set you back about 32,000 won for the 3 hrs 50 mins journey. Usually, there is a rest stop about midway through. You can book your bus ticket from Seoul to Mokpo here.
Mokpo has Amazing Food
When it comes to food, most will not think much about Mokpo. However, Mokpo does have some very amazing food that is worth your while. Click here to read about Unique Food of Mokpo. We have discovered the most amazing looking Tteokgalbi to the freshest crab and fish.
Breathtaking Sights Of Mokpo
Mokpo is not just a transit spot as there are many breathtaking sights you can explore. There are villages you can visit, a 220-meter high Yudalsan you can track, a cable car that crosses the beautiful strait and a seaside boardwalk.
Gohado Yongoreum Dulle-gil Trail is 6km long with one end directly below the majestic Mokpo Bridge and the other end near to Gohado Historical Site. It will take about 3 hours to complete the hike.
Mokpo Marine Cable Car is the longest and highest cable car in Korea. It spans 3.23 kilometres and its highest point is 155 meters. The station starts at Bukhang-dong side of Yudalsan, ends at Gohado Island with a top at the top of Yudalsan Mountain.
The harbour view of Mokpo is breathtaking. It is one of those sights we cannot get enough of throughout our stay in Mokpo even though it was only for two nights.
Rich History of Mokpo
Mokpo was colonised by Japan in the early 1900s where it produce indigenous products to Japan, including large quantities of cotton. Along the Mokwon-Dong History Road, you can still see the old building structures from the Chosun dynasty to the more recent Japanese style shops. For history buffs, you might want to stay a day or two longer.
Ferry from Mokpo to Jeju
I wrote about the ferry ride here, Ferry to Jeju Island from Mokpo (burgernbacon.com). Typically when we hear the word "Ferry", we are thinking about small boats with seats and maybe, it will come with a small bar where we can get some drinks or food. Never did we expect to see, what seems like a small cruise ship, which has a cafeteria with gourmet coffee, bunks with beds and arcade rooms to keep us entertained.
This turned out to be one of our best decisions made in our month-long holiday.