The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations

  • 3

    All-Korean showdowns set up on 1st day of medal race

  • 5

    Understanding Korean Modernization

  • 7

    Bears of Joseon part 1: Fanciful tales and deadly claws

  • 9

    S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high

  • 11

    Exhibition for soldiers highlights North Korea's human rights abuses

  • 13

    China's 'batwoman' scientist warns another coronavirus outbreak is 'highly likely'

  • 15

    PM departs for China for Asian Games, meeting with Xi

  • 17

    Top diplomats of Korea, Iran discuss bilateral ties following frozen funds transfer

  • 19

    Hangzhou Asian Games open after COVID-enforced delay

  • 2

    Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official

  • 4

    INTERVIEWYim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'

  • 6

    Opposition party leader ends 24-day hunger strike for treatment

  • 8

    Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China

  • 10

    Sil-A overcomes stage fright, and them some

  • 12

    US finalizes national security 'guardrails' for CHIPS funding

  • 14

    Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer

  • 16

    Historic NASA asteroid mission set for perilous return

  • 18

    Allies vow stern measures against Russia-NK arms deal

  • 20

    League of Legends, other esports join Asian Games in competition for first time

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, September 25, 2023 | 21:34
Namhae: an island famous for being lesser known
Posted : 2011-12-02 09:06
Updated : 2011-12-02 09:06
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
NAMHAE, Korea (Yonhap) -- Some 500 kilometers down south from Seoul, Korea's fourth largest island sits at the very tip of the Korean Peninsula. The tourism business in Namhae is nowhere near the scale of nearby Jeju, an island popular among honeymooners, but this has been more of a blessing than a curse.

Administratively attached to South Gyeongsang Province in the country's southeast, Namhae is home to more than 65 uninhabited islets and several notable mountains -- Mangun (786m), Geum (681m) and Won (627m). Roughly 50,000 residents live on the relatively less developed island, the landscape virtually untouched. Their link to the mainland is through the Namhae Grand Bridge, the country's first suspension bridge, built in 1973.

The drive over the bridge -- 770m long and 80m high -- leads to 302 kilometers of paved coastline road that runs along jagged cliffs and outstretched shoreline dotted with pension accommodations, quaint seaside townships and white-sand beaches.

"The island features plenty of tourist sites, many of which were largely made popular from hit TV dramas and movies," says Kim Yeon-kyung, manager of Namhae Tourism Center. For the fans of former popular American TV show "Lost," the island would be remembered as the hometown of the Korean character Jin-soo (Daniel Dae Kim).

Namhae, which claims 357.6 square kilometers, has been able to host an odd mixture of both tradition and modernism, aided by its image as a warm, lesser-known getaway perfectly suited for year-round golfing and vacationing because it hardly snows there. It has an edge over well-known Jeju because that island, the country's largest, is deemed too windy. This is why Hilton chose to build a golf and spa resort on the more obscure Namhae.

In terms of cultural attractions, Bori-am Hermitage and Daraengi Village provide invaluable insight into Korea's past, says Kim.

The former, shrouded deep in the forest and perched 681m above sea level on the craggy slopes of Mt. Geum, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a branch of Ssanggye Temple, one of the three main sanctuaries of Buddhism in Korea. Temple stay programs are offered here for visitors, allowing them to enjoy the sacred place's remote location.

Winding up behind Bori-am is a trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Geum, a mountain famous for its sunrises. The demanding climb rewards hikers with spectacular views of the surrounding islands and pristine landscape of Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park.

The Daraengi Village is a well-preserved traditional village at the base of Mt. Seolheul in the south. The area is known for its environmentally-friendly agriculture. Terraced rice paddies -- 108 steps held together with stones and soil -- lead down to the shoreline to create a stunning backdrop. The setting gives one a good idea of how Koreans lived over a half a century ago.

Garlic is grown in the spring and rice is grown during the summer and fall. The salty sea breeze is said to prevent pests from destroying the crops.

Namhae is expecting a big boon when its neighboring city Yeosu hosts the 2012 World Expo from May 12 to Aug. 12 next year. Hilton, accredited as a member of the World Expo Family, recently renovated its meeting and conference facilities at its resort on Namhae.

The resort hotel boasts an award-winning design with guest rooms and two-storied villas set on the cliff top above the sea, together with an 18-hold PGA championship course.

"Hilton Namhae Golf and Spa resort is putting a lot of effort into increasing the quality of our services as well as the facilities," says Helen Joung, assistant PR manager.

For the fifth year running, Hilton Namhae was designated as "Korea's Leading Golf and Spa Resort" this year, most recently at the 2011 World Travel Awards held in Bangkok. The award is one of the most highly-coveted honors in the tourism and travel industry.

Winners are chosen by thousands of votes cast by 167,000 travel agents and tourism professionals across the globe.

The Namhae government in June spearheaded the development of a ferry terminal in Seosang Port. The massive 3.7 billion won facility will make travel in Korea's southern regions more convenient. Officials hope the new 20-minute ferry service between Seosang Port and Yeosu will encourage tourism in the area from Expo visitors and help put Namhae on the map as an international marine tourism city.
 
miguel
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China
2S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high
3Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer
4Patients, doctors at loggerheads as operating room CCTV footage made mandatory Patients, doctors at loggerheads as operating room CCTV footage made mandatory
5Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation
6Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches $219 bil. Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches $219 bil.
7Lee Jae-myung's possible arrest looms over main opposition party Lee Jae-myung's possible arrest looms over main opposition party
8Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars
9LG Chem to build LFP cathode plant with Huayou in Morocco LG Chem to build LFP cathode plant with Huayou in Morocco
10Low growth becomes new normal for Korean economy Low growth becomes new normal for Korean economy
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Yim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston' INTERVIEWYim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'
2TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion
3BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D' BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D'
4K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling QuranK-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran
5Cho Seong-jin celebrates 140-year ties between Korea, UK Cho Seong-jin celebrates 140-year ties between Korea, UK
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group