Often called the "Naples of Korea," Tongyeong is a sea-wrapped port city on the south coast where green islands scatter across the Hallyeo Maritime National Park.
🗓️ Best time: Apr–May & Sep–Nov🗣️ Korean (한국어)💱 KRW (₩)⏱️ Suggested: 2–3 days🚄 KTX/bus from Seoul
Often called the "Naples of Korea," Tongyeong is a sea-wrapped port city on the south coast where green islands scatter across the Hallyeo Maritime National Park. Ride a cable car up Mireuksan for sweeping ocean views, lose yourself in the painted alleys of Dongpirang, and hop a ferry to dramatic islands like Somaemuldo. It's also the home turf of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and a serious seafood town, famous for plump oysters and the addictive honey-filled pastry known as kkulppang.
This steep hillside warren of old houses above Gangguan Harbor was saved from demolition when artists covered its walls with murals. Today the narrow lanes are an open-air gallery of colorful, ever-changing street art, with viewpoints looking down over the fishing port and Jungang Market. Go early to beat crowds and respect that residents still live here.
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Somaemuldo & Deungdaeseom
소매물도 · 등대섬
One of the most photographed islands in Korea, tiny Somaemuldo is famous for the way the lighthouse islet of Deungdaeseom is linked to it by a tombolo — a gravel land bridge that surfaces only at low tide. Reached by passenger ferry from Tongyeong, the island offers a short but stunning cliff-top walk. Check the tide and ferry timetable carefully before you go.
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Bijindo (Bijin Island)
비진도
Bijindo is actually two islands joined by a slender white-sand isthmus, with a curving beach that's one of the most beautiful in the region. It's a relaxed island-hopping favorite for swimming in summer and coastal walks the rest of the year, with a hiking ridge offering views over the surrounding waters. Reach it by ferry from Tongyeong's passenger terminal.
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Jungang Traditional Market
통영중앙시장
Right beside Gangguan Harbor, this bustling market is the city's seafood heart, with tanks of live fish, octopus, sea squirts and Tongyeong's prized oysters. The upstairs and surrounding restaurants serve hoe (sliced raw fish) you can pick downstairs, while alley stalls sell street snacks. It's also the gateway to Dongpirang just up the hill.
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Yi Sun-sin Park & Hansan Island (Hansando)
이순신공원 · 한산도
Tongyeong is steeped in the legacy of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, whose fleet won the decisive 1592 Battle of Hansan Island in these waters. Hansando, a short ferry ride away, is home to Jeseungdang shrine and the naval headquarters site, while seaside Yi Sun-sin Park honors the admiral with a statue and ocean views. History buffs and anyone who loved the film "Hansan" will find it moving.
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Sebyeonggwan
세병관
One of Korea's largest surviving single-story wooden buildings, Sebyeonggwan was the central pavilion of the Tongjeyeong naval command that governed the three southern provinces' fleets in the Joseon era. A National Treasure, its vast pillared hall is an impressive piece of military architecture in the city center. It's an easy, atmospheric stop on a walk through old Tongyeong.
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Dongpirang's neighbor: Seopirang Park & 99 Steps
서피랑공원
On the hill opposite Dongpirang, Seopirang is the quieter, literary-themed counterpart, tied to novelist Park Kyung-ni who was born in Tongyeong. A small park, the "99 steps" stairway, and piano-key painted stairs lead up to a viewpoint and the old fortress wall. It offers calm strolls and harbor views without Dongpirang's crowds.
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Dara Park (Dalapark) Coastal Walk
달아공원
At the southern tip of the Mireuksan peninsula, Dara Park is celebrated as one of the best sunset spots in Tongyeong, framing the scattered islands of Hallyeosudo in golden light. A short walk leads to a pavilion-style viewing deck above the sea. Time your visit for late afternoon and pair it with a drive along the scenic coast road.
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Cheongma Literature Hall & Dongpirang Wind Hill area
청마문학관
Tongyeong has a rich literary and artistic heritage, and the Cheongma Literature Hall honors poet Yu Chi-hwan (pen name Cheongma), who was born here. Set on a hillside with sea views, it's part of a wider cultural trail that the city — also the birthplace of composer Yun I-sang — promotes through museums and a music festival. It's a worthwhile detour for those interested in Korean arts.
🍜 What to Eat in Tongyeong
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Tongyeong Oysters (gul)
Tongyeong's clean coastal waters produce a huge share of Korea's oysters, and they're at their plump, briny best in the cold months. Eat them raw, in a steaming gulguk (oyster soup), or as gul-bap (oyster rice). Around Jungang Market you'll find them served countless ways.
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Kkulppang (Honey Bread)
Tongyeong's most famous souvenir snack is kkulppang — a deep-fried bun filled with sweet red-bean paste and glazed so it's sticky and rich. Multiple bakeries near the harbor claim the original recipe, and the smell of frying dough fills the market streets. Buy a box to take home; locals consider it the taste of Tongyeong.
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Chungmu Gimbap
Born in this very city (Chungmu was Tongyeong's former name), Chungmu gimbap is a no-frills classic: small finger-sized seaweed-rice rolls served with spicy seasoned squid and radish kimchi on the side. It was created so the rice and toppings wouldn't spoil at sea. Simple, tangy and satisfying, it's sold all over town.
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Tts-bori-tang & Domi-myeon (Sea Bream Noodles)
As a port city, Tongyeong excels at fish dishes, and seasonal sea bream (domi) and other local catch turn up in rich soups and noodle bowls. Spring brings prized dishes built around fresh seafood from the surrounding waters. Pull up a stool at a market eatery for the freshest version.
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Hoe (Fresh Sliced Raw Fish)
With boats unloading daily, Tongyeong is one of the best places in Korea for hoe. Pick your live fish at Jungang Market and have it sliced on the spot, then enjoy it at an upstairs restaurant with banchan and a spicy maeun-tang stew made from the trimmings. It's the quintessential Tongyeong seafood meal.
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Ureong-jang & Local Seafood Snacks
Beyond the headliners, the harbor and market overflow with grilled and steamed seafood snacks — from skewers to dried fish and seasonal shellfish. Sea squirts (meongge), abalone and various clams appear depending on the season. Grazing your way through the stalls is half the fun of a Tongyeong visit.
🚄 Getting There & Getting Around
From Seoul, the easiest way is an express bus from Seoul Nambu Terminal or Seoul Express Bus Terminal direct to Tongyeong (roughly 4 to 4.5 hours). Tongyeong has no train station, so by rail you'd take a KTX to Jinju and transfer to a 1-hour bus, but the direct bus is usually simpler. From Busan, frequent buses run from Busan Seobu (Sasang) Terminal in about 1.5 hours. Around town, the main sights cluster near Gangguan Harbor, Jungang Market and Dongpirang, all walkable; local buses and taxis reach the Mireuksan cable car and Dara Park, while ferries to Somaemuldo, Bijindo and Hansando depart from the passenger ferry terminals — buy island ferry tickets in advance in peak season.
💡 Insider Tips
Island ferries (Somaemuldo, Bijindo) run on limited daily schedules and can be canceled in bad weather or rough seas — always check the timetable and tide times the night before, and arrive early to secure a seat.
Ride the Mireuksan cable car on a clear, low-humidity day for the famous island views; mornings tend to be haze-free, and it sometimes pauses operation in strong wind, so check conditions first.
Tongyeong oysters peak in winter (roughly November to February), and the city's seafood is freshest at Jungang Market in the morning when the day's catch arrives.
Dongpirang and Seopirang are real residential neighborhoods on steep stairs — wear good shoes, keep your voice down, and don't photograph inside homes out of respect for the people who live there.
Two days and one night is ideal: spend the first day on the Mireuksan cable car, Dongpirang, Jungang Market and a sunset at Dara Park, then dedicate the second day to an island ferry trip to Somaemuldo or Bijindo. A single packed day can cover the in-city highlights if you skip the islands.
Is Tongyeong worth visiting?
Yes — it's one of the most scenic destinations on Korea's south coast, combining the cable-car panorama, charming mural villages, world-class fresh seafood and easy island-hopping. It's less crowded with international tourists than Busan or Jeju, making it a rewarding off-the-beaten-path stop for travelers who love coast, food and history.
How do you get to Tongyeong from Seoul?
The most direct option is an express bus from Seoul (Nambu or Express Bus Terminal) straight to Tongyeong, taking about 4 to 4.5 hours. Tongyeong has no train station, so by rail you'd ride a KTX to Jinju and transfer to a bus. From Busan, buses take about 1.5 hours.
What is Tongyeong famous for?
Tongyeong is famous as the "Naples of Korea" for its island-studded seascape and the Hallyeosudo cable car up Mireuksan, plus the Dongpirang mural village, fresh oysters, kkulppang honey bread and Chungmu gimbap. It's also the historic naval base of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who fought the Battle of Hansan Island nearby.
