Tongyeong & Geoje Island Drive: Korea's Hidden Coastal Jewel

Most foreign visitors drive past Tongyeong on the way somewhere else. That's a mistake. Korea's so-called 'Naples of the East' sits on a peninsula jutting into the South Sea, surrounded by hundreds of islands, with a cable car, a legendary food market, and the photogenic Geoje Island just across the bridge. Here's how to do it right.

Getting to Tongyeong by Car

From Seoul, Tongyeong is about 380 km south — roughly a 3.5 to 4 hour drive via the Gyeongbu Expressway (Route 1) to Busan, then west along the Namhae Expressway (Route 10). From Busan, it's an easier 1-hour drive. The toll from Seoul runs around 25,000–30,000 KRW depending on your route.

• From Seoul: ~380 km, 3.5–4 hours via Gyeongbu → Namhae Expressway
• From Busan: ~70 km, about 1 hour via Route 14
• Toll: ~25,000–30,000 KRW from Seoul (Hi-Pass accepted)
• Parking in Tongyeong: Central lots near Dongpirang, ~1,000 KRW/hour
• Tip: Arrive by 9 AM on weekends to beat tour groups at the cable car

Dongpirang Mural Village

Start your morning at Dongpirang Village (동피랑), a hillside neighborhood covered floor-to-ceiling in vibrant murals. Entry is completely free. The murals change every year — local and visiting artists repaint them — so you'll always find something new. From the top, you get a sweeping view over Tongyeong Harbor and the chain of islands stretching into the South Sea.

The village is a short walk from the Tongyeong central area. Wear comfortable shoes — the alleyways are steep — and go early if you want photos without crowds. Most tour buses don't arrive until 10:00 AM.

Tongyeong Cable Car: Views Over a Thousand Islands

The Tongyeong Cable Car (통영 케이블카) is the city's headline attraction — and one of the most dramatic cable car rides in Korea. It climbs 461 meters up Mireuksan Mountain in 9 minutes, offering 360-degree views over the Hallyeohaesang Maritime National Park and its archipelago of islands. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Jeju Island.

• Hours: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM (last ride 5:50 PM); extended hours in summer
• Price: 15,000 KRW adult round trip, 10,000 KRW child
• Address: 205 Mireuksam-ro, Tongyeong-si
• Weekend queues: Can reach 60–90 minutes — book in advance
• Tip: The crystal gondola (glass floor) costs 2,000 KRW extra and is worth it

What to Eat in Tongyeong

Tongyeong is a food city as much as a scenic one. The Tongyeong Central Market (통영 중앙시장) is the place to go. Grab a bowl of fresh oysters (굴) — Tongyeong supplies over 70% of Korea's oysters, sold raw, grilled, or in soup for around 3,000–5,000 KRW per portion. Then hunt down a bag of kkulppang (꿀빵), the city's famous honey-filled bread rolls that are perfect road trip snacks.

Also worth trying: Chungmu-gimbap (충무 김밥), a Tongyeong original — small tight rolls of plain rice served with spicy radish kimchi and squid. It looks simple but the combination is genuinely addictive. Dedicated shops are scattered throughout the market.

Crossing to Geoje Island

Geoje Island is just across the bridge from Tongyeong — a 20-minute drive. Korea's second-largest island packs in scenic cliffs, Korean War history, and beach options within easy driving distance. The iconic stop is Windy Hill (바람의 언덕) near Hakdong — a grassy headland with white windmills and sweeping views of the South Sea. Entry is free and parking is available nearby.

Nearby, the Geoje Prisoner of War Camp (거제 포로수용소) offers a gripping look at the Korean War from a side most foreign visitors never see. The open-air museum has strong English signage throughout. Admission is 9,000 KRW for adults. For beach time, Hakdong Pebble Beach (학동 몽돌해수욕장) is a short drive away — smooth black pebbles instead of sand, and the sound of surf rolling over them is unlike anything else.

Suggested Loop Itinerary

1. 18:30 AM — Arrive in Tongyeong, park near Dongpirang Village
2. 29:00 AM — Walk Dongpirang murals before the crowds arrive
3. 310:00 AM — Tongyeong Cable Car (book ahead on weekends)
4. 412:00 PM — Lunch at Tongyeong Central Market: oysters + kkulppang + Chungmu-gimbap
5. 51:30 PM — Drive to Geoje Island (~20 min): Windy Hill → POW Camp
6. 63:30 PM — Hakdong Pebble Beach for a walk or swim in summer
7. 75:00 PM — Begin return drive (Busan: 1 hr / Seoul: 3.5–4 hrs)

FAQ

Tongyeong and Geoje are the kind of places you discover and immediately wish you'd known about earlier. Plan for a full day, load up on snacks from the market, and take the coastal road wherever possible.