Geoje: Voyage for romance and healing
Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, is a place where you can fully experience the beauty of pristine natural landscapes and the refreshing blue sea. It's a famous healing travel destination in Namhae (southern coast), filled with diverse attractions including Haegeumgang, Oedo, Jungle Dome and Jeodo.
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| ▲ Grand scenery of Mount. Haegeumgang, a.k.a. "Mount. Kumgang of the sea." (Yonhap) |
Haegeumgang: ‘The flating Mount. Kumgang’
Haegeumgang, widely known as "Mount. Kumgang of the sea," is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Namhae. It is state-designated Scenic Spot No. 2, situated along the coastal areas.
The rocky island of Haegeumgang is easily accessible by small boats, thanks to its proximity to Galgot. Surrounded by landmarks like Sajabawi (Lion Rock), Mireukbawi (Future Buddha Rock), Chotdaebawi (Candlestick Rock), and Dotdaebawi (Mast Rock), the cliffs are carved by thousands of years of natural erosion. These picturesque rocks depict various shapes of nature.
As a part of the Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park, the surrounding sea extends all the way to western Tongyeong. To enjoy the scenery of Haegeumgang, you can take a sightseeing boat or simply gaze from Wuje Peak Observatory.
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| ▲ Landscape of Oeodo Island in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. (Yonhap) |
Oedo Botania: ‘The Fantasy Island’
Oedo Botania, located about 4 kilometers from Geoje Island, is part of the Hallyeo Haesang National Marine Park. In 1969, Oedo was sold to an individual who garnished the island with various plants.
Oedo Maritime Botanical Garden opened on April 15, 1995. Along the 2.3 kilometer coastline, there are natural forests of camellias and cypress, along with various geological formations like Gongryongbawi (Dinosaur Rock), Mulgaebawi (Seal Rock), and Namgeunbawi (Man’s Genital Rock). Moreover, the island has about 100 dinosaur footprints from the Cretaceous period, designated as Cultural Heritage No. 204 of the province. There are also many fishing spots around the island.
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| ▲ An botanical attraction in Jungle Dome, the largest tropical greenhouse in Korea. (Yonhap) |
Jungle Dome: ‘Korea’s largest tropical greenhouse’
Geoje's Jungle Dome is a dome-shaped greenhouse where you can experience the magnificent tropical rainforest ecosystem. It boasts the highest 30-meter height and the largest scale (floor area of 4,468 square-meters) in Korea. Made of over 7,500 triangular glass pieces shaped like sea whales, it's a unique tropical greenhouse that can't be found anywhere else in the country.
The dome runs on a constant temperature and humidity throughout the year, regardless of hot or cold weather. Inside, you'll find over 10,000 trees of 300 tropical species, such as ebony trees, Canary Island date palms, orchids, and Korea’s largest devil tree.
There are also various attractions for tourists, including a valley resembling China's "Zhangjiajie," a rocky garden with caves, a large bird nest-shaped photo zone and a 10-meter-high waterfall. Also popular among tourists are the Cave of Light, various jungle animals utilizing media facades.
Jeodo: ‘The presidential resort island’
Jeodo is located in Yuhori, Jangmok-myeon, Geoje. This small island is approximately 430,000 square-meters wide, abounding with pine and camellia trees.
After being released from military facilities, Jeodo was designated as the Presidential Security Facility (Cheonghae Dae) in May 2008 and has since been used as a presidential resort.
Due to its presidential villas and military facilities, public access was restricted for 47 years until it was opened to the public in September 2019. Public entry has been allowed since February 2022.
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