Yeosu Odongdo Island & Marine Cable Car

Anchoring the gateway to Hallyeohaesang National Park, Odongdo Island and the Yeosu Marine Cable Car form the vibrant epicenter of South Korea’s southern coastal tourism. Named 'Odongdo' because early Joseon cartographers observed that the island’s aerial silhouette perfectly resembled the scalloped leaf of a Paulownia (Odong) tree, the 120,000-square-meter islet is celebrated nationwide as the 'Island of Camellias' (Dongbaek-seom). Over 3,000 wild red camellia trees carpet the dense maritime forest, bursting into dazzling scarlet blooms from late December through early April. Linked to the mainland by a scenic 768-meter pedestrian breakwater causeway, Odongdo is crowned by a panoramic white lighthouse, dramatic wave-cut sea cliffs, and shaded bamboo tunnels.

Hovering 80 meters directly above the ocean between Dolsan Park and Jasan Park (adjacent to Odongdo) is the Yeosu Marine Cable Car, the premier sea-crossing aerial ropeway in South Korea. Gliding across a 1.5-kilometer cable spanning open maritime waters, the cable car offers breathtaking 360-degree vistas of the Yeosu harbor archipelago, the twin red-and-white Hamel Lighthouses, the colossal suspension spans of Dolsan Bridge and Geobukseon Bridge, and bustling maritime container ships. For thrill-seekers, the specialized 'Crystal Cabins' feature reinforced transparent tempered-glass floors that provide the heart-pounding sensation of walking unsupported through thin ocean air.

Spring brings the zenith of wild camellia blossoms as scarlet petals blanket the mossy forest floor beneath towering silver magnolias, accompanied by mild ocean sunshine. Summer vibrates with maritime romance, featuring evening coastal breezes, illuminated musical fountains on Odongdo, and lively crowds dining on open-air seafood terraces. Autumn provides crystal-clear visibility, ideal for capturing the sunset glow across the archipelago from the cable car cabins. Winter is an intoxicating contrast of crisp sea air, deep green evergreen canopies, and fiery crimson camellias blooming bravely against dark basalt sea cliffs and white waves.

Odongdo Island is open to the public 24 hours a day with free year-round access. The Yeosu Marine Cable Car operates daily from 09:30 to 21:30 (extended until 22:00 on Saturdays). The motorized open-air Dongbaek Train shuttles along the breakwater between 09:30 and 17:30. The most magical time to board the cable car is at sunset (around 18:00 to 19:30), allowing passengers to watch the twilight orange horizon fade into thousands of jewel-like neon lights illuminating the harbor—the immortalized 'Yeosu Night Sea' (Yeosu Bam-bada).

Entry to Odongdo Island on foot is completely free. The Dongbaek Train costs 1,000 KRW per adult (one-way). Round-trip tickets for the Marine Cable Car cost 17,000 KRW for adults (12,000 KRW for children) in Standard Cabins, and 24,000 KRW for adults (19,000 KRW for children) in glass-bottom Crystal Cabins. On-site public parking at the Dolsan and Jasan terminals is free for the first hour.

From Seoul, board the KTX or SRT from Yongsan or Suseo Station directly to the terminus at KTX Yeosu Expo Station (approx. 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes). From the station plaza, Odongdo is an easy 15-minute walk (1.2 km) along the coastal promenade. Alternatively, city buses 2, 333, or 666 arrive at the Odongdo entrance in just 5 minutes. Taxis from the station cost approximately 4,000 to 4,500 KRW.

The 768-meter breakwater causeway and Odongdo’s central perimeter plaza are completely flat, smooth, and asphalt-paved, providing seamless access for strollers, wheelchairs, and senior visitors. The lower coastal promenade and the musical fountain plaza are fully barrier-free. Wooden ramps provide elevator access to the Odongdo Lighthouse viewing platform. Both cable car boarding stations (Dolsan Station and Jasan Station) feature barrier-free elevators, shallow ramps, and wheelchair-accessible boarding gates; folding wheelchairs are permitted inside the cabins. Modern accessible restrooms are located at both terminals and on Odongdo.

Recommended 3-Hour Island & Sky Circuit: Arrive at Jasan Park Station and board the Marine Cable Car across the sea to Dolsan Park → Walk the Dolsan Park observatory for views of Dolsan Bridge → Board the return cable car back toward Jasan Park during late afternoon → Walk down the scenic elevator tower to the Odongdo breakwater causeway → Ride the charming Dongbaek Train to Odongdo → Stroll beneath the 3,000 blooming camellia trees and explore the Dragon Cave (Yonggul) and Wind Cave sea cliffs → Ascend the Odongdo Lighthouse elevator for coastal views → Walk the breakwater at dusk as the harbor lights switch on → Head to the nearby Nangman Pocha street for fresh seafood.

Yeosu is world-renowned for its sensational coastal gastronomy. Savor the iconic Gejang Baekban (all-you-can-eat feast of fresh blue crabs marinated in aged sweet soy sauce and fiery chili paste), served with steaming rice and over 15 seafood side banchan. Indulge in Dolsan Gat-kimchi (spicy, peppery mustard leaf kimchi aged with local anchovy sauce), succulent Hamo Yubiki (tender boiled sea eel shabu-shabu in summer), Saegyo-kkomak (blood cockles), and Yeosu Seafood Samhap (pan-fried pork belly, fresh octopus, and aged kimchi).

Vegetarians will find satisfying choices across Yeosu: wholesome Sanchae Bibimbap served with fresh coastal greens, fragrant Dolsan mustard leaf kimchi, seaweed soups, and crispy seafood-free Pajeon (scallion pancakes). Island kiosks serve sweet camellia bread (Dongbaek-ppang), sweet potato tarts, and freshly roasted sweet corn. Halal travelers can feast abundantly on Yeosu’s fresh seafood dishes, grilled fish banquets, crab feasts, boiled octopus, and cockles without pork ingredients.

Top photo spots: looking straight down through the transparent glass floor of a Crystal Cable Car at fishing boats speeding across the ocean 80 meters below, romantic couple portraits framed by the heart-shaped canopy of blooming red camellias on Odongdo’s forest trail, sweeping panoramic shots of Dolsan Bridge illuminated in neon rainbow lights from the cable car at dusk, and dramatic sea spray crashing against the Dragon Cave sea cliffs.

High-wind advisories can temporarily suspend cable car operations; check weather forecasts before departing. Do not pick wild camellia flowers from trees on Odongdo; fallen petals on the ground should be preserved for all travelers to enjoy. Stay behind protective railings along the cliff trails. The island forest and cable car facilities are strictly non-smoking.

Comfortable walking sneakers are recommended for walking the wooden boardwalks and lighthouse stairs on Odongdo. For real-time cable car wait times and weather advisories, check the Yeosu Marine Cable Car official website or call 061-664-7301 or dial 1330.

Combine your visit with other Yeosu coastal landmarks: the colorful seaside cliff village of Goso-dong Angel Mural Village is just a 5-minute drive away, while the legendary ocean hermitage Yeosu Hyangiram (PLACE-JEONNAM-006) is 35 minutes to the south.

Q: What is the difference between standard and crystal cable car cabins? A: Crystal cabins feature thick, reinforced transparent glass floors that allow passengers to look straight down into the ocean waves 80 meters below, offering an exhilarating 360-degree floating sensation. Q: When do the camellia flowers bloom on Odongdo? A: Wild camellias begin flowering in late December, reaching peak crimson density between late February and late March, when thousands of fallen blossoms create red carpets on the paths.

Yeosu Romance & Ocean Sky Day Tour: Morning KTX to Yeosu Expo Station (under 3 hrs from Seoul) → 15-minute walk to Odongdo Island → Stroll through the 3,000 camellia grove and visit the white lighthouse → Savor an authentic Gejang crab banquet lunch in Bongsan-dong → Late afternoon ride on the Yeosu Marine Cable Car in a glass-bottom Crystal Cabin → Watch the magical sunset from Dolsan Park → Evening stroll along Yeosu Marine Park to admire the illuminated harbor bridges → Dinner at the romantic Nangman Pocha street → Return via evening KTX.