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Tongyeong is a beautiful coastal city known for its stunning mix of ocean, islands, and charming alleyways. Often called the "Naples of Asia," it is a perfect travel destination. Famous spots like Dongpirang Mural Village, the Tongyeong Cable Car, and Hansando Island are all located close to the city center, making travel convenient. In this guide, we will explore the top 10 must-visit attractions in Tongyeong.

Top 10 Things to Do in Tongyeong

Dongpirang Mural Village

Dongpirang Mural Village is the most iconic landmark in Tongyeong. "Dongpirang" means "East Cliff," and true to its name, walking along the mural-filled alleyways on the hill offers a panoramic view of Tongyeong Harbor and the sea. The walk from the village entrance to the observatory is short, making it easy to explore. The murals mainly feature themes of the sea and daily life, and some are repainted every season. After descending, it is great to visit the nearby Central Market or Gangguan Street for a meal.

Dongpirang Mural Village

Gangguan Port & Tongyeong Harbor

The area around Gangguan and Tongyeong Harbor perfectly captures the atmosphere of a bustling port city. It connects seafood markets, traditional markets, and harbor alleys, making it an excellent spot for walking and photography. In the evening, the lights of fishing boats create a unique nightscape. At the market, you can taste local specialties like Chungmu Gimbap (Spicy Squid & Radish Rice Rolls), fresh Sashimi, and Sea Squirt Bibimbap. To the east of the harbor, Nammangsan Sculpture Park is close by, making it a good addition to your itinerary.

Gangguan Turtle Ship

Nammangsan Park Observatory

Nammangsan Park is an urban park situated to overlook Tongyeong Harbor. It features well-maintained gardens, and following the walking trails allows you to see both the city and the sea. It is popular as a photo spot for its beautiful night views at sunset. The park is near Gangguan and the Central Market, so it is convenient to visit them together.

Nammangsan Park Observatory

Tongyeong Central Traditional Market

Tongyeong Central Traditional Market is the city's representative market where you can taste authentic local foods in one place. Various seafood dishes such as Sashimi, Sea Squirt Bibimbap, Sirak-guk (Sea Eel and Radish Green Soup), and Chungmu Gimbap are sold here, and it is most crowded in the morning. Inside the market, there is a cluster of restaurants, making it a good place for a meal before moving to Gangguan or Dongpirang. We recommend visiting in the morning on weekends due to the large number of tourists.

Tongyeong Central Market

Tongyeong Cable Car & Mt. Mireuksan Observatory

The Tongyeong Cable Car is one of Korea's longest cable cars, running to the summit of Mt. Mireuksan. The ride takes about 10 minutes, offering a panoramic view of Tongyeong Harbor and the islands of Hallyeohaesang National Park. From the summit observatory, you can see the ridges of Mt. Mireuksan and downtown Tongyeong at a glance, and on clear days, you can even see as far as Geoje Island. The lower station has a parking lot, ticket office, and a simple cafe, making it convenient for visitors.

Tongyeong Cable Car

Tongyeong Undersea Tunnel

The Tongyeong Undersea Tunnel connects Donam-dong and Mireukdo Island and is the first undersea tunnel built in Asia. It is about 480m long and can be crossed on foot, and the interior is lit up, making it suitable for a walk. Observatories and photo zones are provided at both entrances of the tunnel. It is close to the cable car boarding area, so it is good to visit them together.

Tongyeong Undersea Tunnel

Mireukdo Island

The coastal road of Mireukdo Island is a driving course where you can see the sea of Tongyeong up close. The road follows the coastline, with viewpoints and parking spaces along the way. The section from Donam-dong to Sanyang-eup is also well known as a sunset spot. In addition to driving, some sections have walking trails, so you can enjoy the ocean scenery while walking slowly.

Mireukdo Island

Ocean View Cafes

Tongyeong has many cafes where you can relax while looking at the sea. Among them, Cloud Hill, Arce, and Cafe Baeyangjang are popular spots where you can view Tongyeong Harbor and Mt. Mireuksan at the same time. Window seats fill up quickly at sunset. It is a great course to leisurely enjoy the sea of Tongyeong over a cup of coffee, and it fits well into your itinerary with nearby tourist attractions.

Cloud Hill

Jeon Hyuk-lim Museum of Art

The Jeon Hyuk-lim Museum of Art exhibits the works of Jeon Hyuk-lim, a painter from Tongyeong. The building itself is a piece of art due to its colorful exterior walls. Inside, paintings and various installation art pieces are on display. Nearby cultural spaces such as the Tongyeong Concert Hall and the Yun Isang Memorial Hall make it a great art walking course.

Jeon Hyuk-lim Museum of Art

Hansando Island

Hansando Island is about a 10-minute boat ride from Tongyeong Harbor and is historically significant as the site of the Battle of Hansan led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin. The island features Jeseungdang Shrine, a sea observatory, and walking trails. A trip to Hansando is popular because it offers both history and nature, and it is an easily accessible island destination by ferry.

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Best Foods in Tongyeong

Tongyeong is well known as a gourmet travel destination due to its abundance of seafood. Around the Central Market and Gangguan, there are many restaurants where you can taste Tongyeong's representative foods such as Sashimi, Sea Squirt Bibimbap (fresh oceanic flavor), and Sirak-guk. Sea Squirt Bibimbap and the Seafood Set Meal are especially popular with tourists, while Sirak-guk is a menu item frequently sought by locals. Around the market, you can also easily find Seafood Earthenware Pot (Haemul-ttukbaegi), Abalone Soup, and Pufferfish cuisine.

Representative foods of Tongyeong

Must-Try Tongyeong Food List

• Seasonal Sashimi
• Sea Squirt Bibimbap (Meongge-bibimbap)
• Sea Eel and Radish Green Soup (Sirak-guk)
• Spicy Squid & Radish Rice Rolls (Chungmu Gimbap)
• Seafood Set Meal
• Seafood Earthenware Pot (Haemul-ttukbaegi)
• Abalone Soup
• Pufferfish Cuisine (Bok-guk)

Tongyeong Travel Course

Tongyeong is close to the city center and the sea, and major attractions are not far apart, so a 1-night, 2-day itinerary is sufficient to look around. If you include island travel, 2 nights and 3 days are appropriate.

Recommended 2 Nights 3 Days Course

• Day 1: Dongpirang Mural Village → Central Traditional Market → Gangguan Street → Nammangsan Sculpture Park
• Day 2: Tongyeong Cable Car (Mt. Mireuksan Observatory) → Tongyeong Undersea Tunnel → Mireukdo Island → Ocean View Cafe on the Coastal Road
• Day 3: Hansando Island Trip (Alternatives: Saryangdo, Maemuldo) → Jeseungdang Shrine Tour → Island Observatory Walk

Tongyeong is a destination with beautiful scenery of the sea, islands, and the city. Thanks to the terrain where alleys, ports, and islands are connected, you can meet various landscapes in one place. Seafood dishes tasted in the region also add to the joy of traveling in Tongyeong. We hope you enjoy the atmosphere of Tongyeong's sea by following the places to visit in Tongyeong we have looked at so far.

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