Tongyeong
Harbour Town and the Hallyeo Waterway Islands
A harbour town on the south coast called the Naples of Korea: the Hallyeosudo cable car up Mireuksan for the view over the island-strewn Hallyeo Haesang National Park, the Dongpirang mural village above the port, and ferries to islands such as Bijindo and Somaemuldo. Admiral Yi Sun-sin beat the Japanese fleet off here in 1592. Famous for oysters and chungmu gimbap. No railway: buses from Busan take about two hours.
Highlights
- Hallyeosudo cable car view
- Skyline Luge
- Dongpirang murals
- Ferry to Bijindo or Somaemuldo
- Central Market seafood
- Chungmu gimbap
- Sebyeonggwan naval hall
Things to do
- Hallyeosudo cable car & Mireuksan viewpointMorning · 2h
- Skyline Luge runsAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Ferry day trip to Somaemuldo (tide-dependent crossing to the lighthouse)Morning · 6h
- Dongpirang murals & Central MarketAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: April – June, September – November
Worth knowing
Jangma: the Summer Monsoon
The monsoon (jangma) brings days of heavy rain from late June to late July, hot and humid in between. Flash floods can close riverside parks, mountain trails and some roads. Plan museums, markets and indoor days, carry an umbrella, and keep hiking days flexible.
Worth knowing
Typhoon Season
⚠️ Typhoons reach Korea mostly in August and September, and Jeju and the south coast take the brunt: flights and ferries are cancelled for a day or two, beaches close and coastal walks are shut. Watch the forecast in the week before, book refundable flights to and from Jeju, and keep a spare day before your flight home.
Worth knowing
Seollal (Lunar New Year) Travel Rush
Seollal falls on 6 February 2027 (holidays 5-7 February). Trains, express buses and Jeju flights sell out weeks ahead, expressways jam, and many small restaurants and shops close for the three days. Book every train and flight that week early, or stay in one city over the holiday.
Worth knowing
Chuseok Holiday Rush
Chuseok, the harvest holiday, falls on 15 September 2027 (holidays 14-16 September; in 2026 it was 24-26 September). KTX and bus seats for the holiday sell out within hours of opening, roads are gridlocked, and many shops and family restaurants close. Stay put over the three days and book any train before or after them.
- Seollal (Lunar New Year) — Three days of family holiday when much of Korea travels home: KTX, SRT and express-bus seats sell out weeks ahead, Gimpo–Jeju flights are full, and many small restaurants, markets and shops close. Palaces and the big sights stay open, often with folk games and free entry days. Avoid moving between cities on the first and last day.
- Chuseok (harvest festival) — Korea's biggest holiday: tens of millions travel to their home towns, trains and buses sell out the day bookings open, expressways jam, and many family restaurants, markets and shops shut for the three days. Seoul's palaces and folk villages hold events. Plan to stay put in one city over the holiday, and book any train before it.