Yeosu, offers more than expo

By Yun Suh-young

When thinking of Yeosu, the song “Nightscape at Yeosu Seashore” immediately comes to mind, especially for young people. The song recently released by Busker Busker has attracted many visitors, boosting tourism there and helping to promote the 2012 Yeosu Expo.

The nightscape along Yeosu beach is impressive to many and the song goes, “There’s a beautiful story in this night light. I want to tell it to you so I call you. I ask: what are you doing? I’m here at Yeosu seashore. I want to walk along the shore with you.”

About 30,000 people traveled through Yeosu Expo Station located near the Expo site in Yeosu city, South Jeolla Province, since the end of last month when the album was released, according to the station authorities. It marks an increase by 10,000 from the same period last year.

Yeosu Expo Station is the very last station on the South Jeolla line. “Although April is an off season, the number of users increased since the release of the song. Some couples come on the weekends riding a morning train or an evening train,” a station official said.

The Yeosu seashore may be reached through riding the train to Yeosu Expo Station. It takes about three hours from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to Yeosu Expo Station by KTX. Those visiting the Yeosu Expo may easily view the ocean from the Expo site.

Scenic places in Yeosu

There are 10 main scenic places around Yeosu, designated by the city. Out of the 10, however, there are two must-see sights. These are Dolsan Bridge and Odong-do or Odong Island. Dolsan Bridge was built in 1984 and connects Yeosu with Dolsan Island. It can be best viewed from Dolsan Park. Dolsan Park is situated at the entrance of Dolsan Island.

The bridge is most beautiful at night when the 50 different colors of lights decorate the bridge. After crossing the bridge, take a stroll along the trails around Dolsan Park. The walkway provides a full view of Yeosu city and may refresh your mind too by greeting the ocean breeze.

If you have enough time, visit Odong Island located right next to the expo site. Known to be an island for lovers, Odong Island was designated as an oceanic national park in 1968. The island used to have plenty of Odong trees in the past which is why the island was named so. To visit the island, you must walk across the breakwater that connects the mainland to the island. The breakwater that leads to the island is a romantic pathway that is also one of the 100 most beautiful walkways in Korea. For more information, visit https://www.odongdo.go.kr/en/.

Accommodations and food

With the upcoming Yeosu Expo to be held in 10 days, it may be difficult to reserve a hotel room as the event nears.

The most famous accommodation near the expo site is MVL Hotel, a landmark building for Yeosu. The 26 story building, whose name is an abbreviation for Most Valuable Life, is a VIP hotel which will be available only for the important foreign guests during the expo period. From floor 19 to 22, the 48 rooms are decorated with cultural themes for different nationalities. There are 310 rooms in total.

Although you may be disappointed at not having access to the rooms during the expo season, you may still have a chance to view the wonderful seascape from the top of the building.

At Mare e Cielo, a restaurant and bar located on the 26th floor of the MVL Hotel, visitors may enjoy wagyu (Japanese beef) steak and fresh seafood pasta along with a fantastic view of the ocean. In the evening, visitors may enjoy premium whisky and wine at the bar. The place opens from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Other restaurants in the building are Adria, serving Oriental fusion dishes and Estrella, a cafe which serves coffee and pastries. Both are on the first floor. Tavola Tavola, a terrace restaurant, is on the sixth floor.

Expo Camp Town

Expo Camp Town will provide lodging for about 1,661 Korean and overseas visitors. The site has been open to reservations since March and will be available for stay starting from May 1. Built on 21,800 square meters of land, there are 35 units for caravans, 250 tents, and 40 units for auto-camping. For more information, visit https://www.2012expo-camptown.com/.

A diverse selection of accommodations, such as hanok (traditional Korean houses), temple stay, bed & breakfast in farms and fishing villages and mobile cabin homes, will also be available for international visitors. Temples in the south coast will accommodate up to 1,000 visitors per day.

For more information on accommodation and tour sites, visit https://www.expo2012hotels.kr/vip/expo/main.php or https://www.ystour.kr/en/main.jsp.