Korea.net Honorary Reporters visit the 99-step stairway at Seopirang Village in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, on Dec. 27. Seopirang Village is decorated with quotes from the late novelist Pak Kyongni (박경리) (1926-2008), and music by the late composer Yun Isang (윤이상) (1917-1995) is played over public speakers, honoring two of Tongyeong’s hometown heroes.
The waters off Tongyeong, on the southern coast of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, are home to some of the widest varieties of seafood found anywhere in Korea.
During Joseon times (1392-1910), the city served as the headquarters for naval forces and went by the name of Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong (삼도수군통제영, 三道水軍統制營). The modern name Tongyeong (統營), taken from this old name, is a reminder of the city’s ancient past.
Tongyeong is a place full of surprises waiting for you around every corner, and locals there will tell you that their city is the “Seoul, or capital city, of seafood.” The abundance of fresh fish and seafood, combined with the hearty and affectionate greetings of the locals, is what makes Tongyeong so full of life.
Once is never enough for a visit to this seaside destination, a city that has a story to tell along every winding street. It’s a city that awaits visitors, eager to share its treasure trove of tales, old and new.
By Jeon Han, Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Photographer
hanjeon@korea.kr
The coastal waters of Tongyeong are called the Dadohae (다도해), literally meaning ‘sea with many islands.’ It may not be easy to remember the names of each islet sprinkled along these shores, but a boat tour to see the beautiful islands is highly recommended. You might like to keep an eye out for Jangsa-do Island (장사도), where a scene from the soap opera ‘My Love From the Star’ was filmed.
Tongyeong is known for its generosity. While visiting the Jungang-sijang Market (중앙시장), you will likely get called over to several stalls to taste some honey bread (꿀빵), a regional delicacy.
Dongpirang Village (동피랑), with its winding alleyways and colorful murals, offers visitors plenty of picture-perfect moments to capture on film.
Tongyeong is a city of countless joys, regardless of the season. A persimmon tree, having lost all its leaves in preparation for winter, shows off its boughs of ripened fruit at the Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong (삼도수군통제영), Joseon-era naval headquarters, on Nov. 24, 2014. This photo was featured in the ‘Explore’ section of Flickr, and has been shared by many users since then.
Tongyeong’s Sebyeonggwan Hall (세병관), along with Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Gyeonghoeru (경복궁 경회루) and Yeosu’s Jinnamgwan (여수 진남관), are some of the largest Joseon-era buildings with some of the largest covered floor spaces. The building in Tongyeong was used as a guesthouse for the naval headquarters.
During Tongyeong’s autumn, the streets are painted yellow as thousands of ginkgo trees shed their leaves. Pictured is the ‘Say Hello Street,’ a 200-meter road that stretches from the entrance to the 99-step stairway at Seopirang Village all the way to the Green Cross Hospital.
