Yeosu
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Yeosu (여수,麗水) is in South Jeolla, South Korea.
[edit] Understand
Yeosu is one of the country's most picturesque port cities especially at night. Famous for its seafood, beaches, flowers and marinas, it is developing as an international ocean resort and tourist destination as well as being selected as a host city for the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu Harbor.
The city of Yeosu consists of the Yeosu peninsula as well as 317 islands (49 inhabited, 268 uninhabited) with population of 300,000. Yeosu is a city of history and loyalty where the headquarters of South Jeolla Province Navy Base was located, and the Great Admiral Yi Sun Shin invented the Geobukseon or "a turtle ship" to save the country while serving as the Navy Commander when Japan invaded Korea in 16th century.
Lying about midway along the southern coast of South Korea, Yeosu has cool summers and mild winters thanks to the sea wind and warm current. Its blessed ocean climate also brings Yeosu relatively longer springs and autumns than other regions.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Korean Air [1] and Asiana Air [2] fly between Yeosu Airport[3](여수공항, 麗水空港,IATA : RSU, ICAO : RKJY)and Gimpo Airport(Seoul) up to 8 times a day and it takes 1 hour. Korean Air also has flight between Yeosu and Jeju on Friday and Sunday. The airport has information desk, convenience store, restaurant, snack bar and rent car office. There are buses to various parts of the city but taxi is cheap and more convenient. It can take up to 1 hour to the downtown(shinae) of Yeosu by car.
[edit] By bus
The express bus terminal(고속버스터미널) is connected to most bus routes across Korea. From Yeosu, it takes 5 hours 30 minutes to Seoul(Central City terminal) and 2 hours to Gwangju, capital of South Jeolla.
[edit] By train
Yeosu has two train stations. The main station is called Yeosu Station yeosuyeok(여수역) which is the southernmost station of Honam line and one stop before that there is smaller Yeocheon Station yeocheonyeok (여천역). Check Korail website for schedule, to check fare or to book tickets [4]
[edit] Get around
The best way around the city is by taxi as the city is fairly small and taxi fare is quite cheap.
[edit] By bus
The bus system is very convenient, but a little difficult to utilize if you do not speak basic Korean. Each bus stop has a posting of the buses that will arrive and their respective stops.
[edit][add listing] See
- Hyangiram (향일암). A beautiful hermitage with views of the sea and the scattered islands that make up Yeosu Peninsula.
- Admiral Yi's turtle ship(거북선)
- Seo market (seoshijang 서시장)
- Dolsan bridge (돌산대교) is a beautiful bridge with changing lights at night and lots of seafood restaurants and romantic cafes around the area. For even more striking nightview, climb up to Dolsan Park (돌산공원) when you cross the bridge.
- Odong island (오동도)
- Jasan Park (자산공원) View of Yeosu. Statue of Yi Sun Shin.
- Jinnamgwan (진남관) Pavillion
- Manseongri Black Sand Beach(만성리): As the only black sand beach in Korea, Manseongri is the liveliest beach in Yeosu with lots of restaurants and cafes along the beach. Along the coast line between Manseongri and Yeosu train station is located Marae Tunnel, the only natural rock tunnel in Korea.
- Soho-dong(소호동)- has yacht marina, various restaurants and cozy cafes along the coast.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Ocean Cruise: either leaving from Odongdo (오동도) or across Dolsan Bridge(돌산대교), there are dozens of different cruises hopping different islands in Hallyeo Ocean Park.
- Gubong Mountain (구봉산) located in yeoseodong(여서동)
- Paraocean Waterpark [5]- located in the latest and biggest resort in Yeosu, The Ocean Resort, the waterpark has dozens of indoor and outdoor pools and slides as well spa, restaurants and shops.
[edit][add listing] Buy
- E-Mart - Yeosu has one E-Mart, located across the street from the Yeosu Bus Terminal(터미널). There is a McDonald's inside.
- Lotte Mart - There are two Lotte Mart locations in Yeosu: Lotte Mart (Yeocheon 여천) in Seowon-dong, and Lotte Mart (Yeosu) in Guk-dong(국동.
- Shopping area in Yeosu shinae (여수시내).
[edit][add listing] Eat
Good restaurants can be found anywhere in Korea, but almost any restaurant in yeosu warrants merit. Yeosu is well known for having the best food in korea, especially fresh seafood.
[edit] Seafood
Raw fish (회) is similar to Japanese sashimi but in Yeosu it's often enjoyed with spicy and sour sauce (초장) and wrapped in lettuce along with garlic, similar to the way Koreans enjoy BBQ.
Raw fish restaurants (whaetjib 횟집) are very popular with locals and seafood restaurants in Jonghwa-dong, Soho-dong, near Dolsan Bridge and Manseongri offer you opportunities to choose your own fish from the tank. You can also eat fresh seafood in each season. Raw fish is good in spring and fall, pike eel dishes in summer, and roasted oysters in winter.
For the utmost seafood experience, it is recommended to visit and enjoy the auction center of Suhyup (Fisheries Cooperatives) in Gukdong Fishing Port at 5PM You can eat fresh raw seafood at a low price provided by dealers.
Also very popular among locals is Seodaewhae(서대회), raw red tongue sole seasoned with spicy sauce and vegetables. If it's too spicy, it can be mixed with hot rice and sesame oil. Many restaurants near marine terminal offers Seodaewhae.
[edit] Kimchi
Another specialty of the city is Gat Kimchi(갓김치) made with mustard leaf from Dolsan Island (돌산). Now it can be bought in any supermarket or convenience store in Korea.
[edit] Korean Full Course(한정식)
Korean Full Course in Yeosu differs from that of Seoul, as the most dishes are seafood. You can enjoy up to 40 different dishes in one meal. Some of the best ones are Hanilkwan (한일관) and Jasan Ubo (자산어보) in Yeoseo-dong. Minimum $20 per person.
[edit] Others
- Miso Ssambap (미소쌈밥), Yeoseodong (여서동). Famous korean style restaurant, known by all cab drivers. Order jeyukbogeum (제육볶음), a marinated pork dish that you wrap in lettuce, served with many side dishes.
There are few western style restaurants in Yeosu and even the few ones serve rather Korean style western food. If you are desperate, McDonalds is in yeoseodogn Emart.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Main areas to go out:
- Yeosu Downtown (여수시내): The busiest area in the city with hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Ask for Chungang-ro(중앙로)or Chinnamkwan(진남관) to find the area.
- Yeoseo-dong(여서동): trendy and modern cafes, restaurants, clubs and bars
- Yeocheon downtown (여천시내): mainly behind the fire station, dozens of blocks for restaurants, bars and cafes linked to Soho-dong
- Soho-dong (소호동): dozens of cafes and seafood restaurants along the coast line near the yacht marina
- Dolsan Bridge(돌산대교): romantic cafes around the bridge to enjoy the nightview
- Lost Shepard Girl. A foreign style "free house" bar, with free pool, darts, and foosball. Features many imported beers, including Guinness on tap. Located in Yeocheon, near Hobak Night Club and Turtle Park edit
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
A cheap place to sleep is at the local jimjilbang (찜질방). This is a kind of bathhouse that has a communal room for sleeping on the floor. It usually costs about 6 dollars. Ask a taxi driver for the closest jimjilbang. Sporex(스포렉스) is popular in Yeoseodong area.
[edit] Mid Range
- Belagio Tourist Hotel[6]: Hak-dong 200-19, +82-61-686-7977, ocean view rooms near Soho-dong yacht marina, rooms from $30
- Eastern Jewerly Hotel[7]: Chungmu-dong 346, +82-61-664-7070, rooms from $80
- Nobles Hotel: Hak-dong 77-9, +82-61-691-1196, facilies include sky lounge and business center
- Chambord Hotel [8]: Konghwa-dong 1054-1, +82-61-662-6111, rooms from $60
- Tiffaney Hotel: Hak-dong 200-14 +82-61-685-2200
Also motels are everywhere in the city and reasonably priced between $30 and $70. Mainly used by local lovers, many of them have modern and clean en-suite rooms.
[edit] Splurge
The Ocean Resort [9] offers condominium style rooms and other facilities. Located in Soho-dong, the resort overlooks yacht marina and its own waterpark. Non-member rate starts from $250 for one bed condominium.
[edit] Contact
There are internet cafes every corner of the city, open 24 hours. Look for a PC방 sign.
[edit] Get out
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