Sinan Purple Island (Banwol & Bakji)

Sinan Purple Island is an extraordinary chromatic wonderland comprising the interconnected offshore islands of Banwoldo (Half Moon Island) and Bakjido (Gourd Island) in Shinan County. In 2021, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) officially crowned Purple Island one of the 'Best Tourism Villages in the World', celebrating its remarkable community-led transformation from an aging rural backwater into an internationally iconic eco-tourism destination. Inspired by the indigenous purple bellflowers (doraji) that blanket the hillsides, the entire archipelago is lovingly painted in every imaginable shade of lilac, lavender, and violet.

The engineering centerpiece of the island is 'Cheonsa Bridge' (Purple Bridge)—a magnificent 1,462-meter-long purple-painted wooden pedestrian boardwalk that meanders gracefully over the tidal flats and waters of the Yellow Sea, connecting Duri Village on Anjwa Island with Bakjido and Banwoldo. Along the way, visitors encounter purple roofs on over 400 cottages, purple asphalt roadways, purple telephone booths, purple trash receptacles, and even purple solar-powered streetlights. Bakjido features sprawling fields of purple lavender in spring and 100,000 purple aster flowers in autumn, while Banwoldo is ringed by a lovely 5.7-kilometer coastal walking and cycling promenade.

Purple Island offers delightful sensory treats across all four seasons. Spring (May to June) enchants with blooming purple lavender gardens, French lavender, and purple magnolias scenting the sea breezes. Summer (July to August) is lively with coastal biking under brilliant blue skies contrasting with violet bridges. Autumn (September to October) is the island’s peak spectacle during the 'Purple Aster Festival', when hillsides are transformed into a vibrant violet ocean of millions of aster blossoms. Winter offers serene, uncrowded walks with crisp air, pastel sunsets, and whimsical photo moments.

The Purple Island ticket booths and amenities operate daily from 09:00 to 18:00 during summer months (March to October) and 09:00 to 17:00 in winter (November to February). Pedestrian access across the illuminated Purple Bridge remains open into the evening, allowing visitors to experience the magical twilight lighting reflected in the tidal sea waters. Planning roughly 3 to 4 hours total allows you to cross both bridges, walk or cycle around one of the islands, and enjoy purple-themed refreshments.

Admission is 5,000 KRW for adults, 3,000 KRW for teenagers, and 1,000 KRW for children. However, Purple Island is world-famous for its delightful policy: ANY visitor wearing visible purple attire or accessories enters completely FREE of charge! Valid purple items include a purple shirt, jacket, trousers, hat, purple shoes, a purple scarf, or even a purple umbrella (shades of lilac, violet, and magenta qualify). Single and tandem bicycles can be rented at both island entrances for 5,000 KRW per hour, and a purple electric shuttle cart is available for 3,000 KRW.

From Seoul, take the KTX or SRT to Mokpo Station (approx. 2 hours 20 minutes). From Mokpo Station bus plaza, board City Bus 2004 or 1004, which crosses the awe-inspiring 7.22 km Cheonsadaegyo Bridge over the ocean directly onto the Sinan archipelago, arriving at Anjwa Eupdong Terminal in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. From Eupdong, board the local Anjwa shuttle bus or take a 10-minute taxi (approx. 10,000 KRW) to the Duri-ri Purple Bridge ticketing entrance. Driving from Mokpo takes about 45 minutes along Route 2 across Cheonsadaegyo Bridge.

Purple Island is exceptionally visitor-friendly and built with accessible wooden boardwalks throughout its entire 1.4-kilometer bridge system. The boardwalk surface is completely flat and step-free, allowing effortless transit for standard wheelchairs, electric scooters, and baby strollers. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located at the Duri ticket booth, Bakjido ferry port, and Banwoldo community center. For seniors or travelers with limited mobility, charming purple electric shuttle carts (3,000 KRW) operate continuously between the islands. Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the main ticket office.

Recommended 3-Hour Island-Hopping Walking & Biking Circuit: Arrive at Duri ticket booth wearing your favorite purple outfit for free entry → Step onto the first purple boardwalk bridge crossing the sea to Bakjido Island (approx. 547 meters) → Rent a purple bicycle or walk to the Bakjido Lavender Hill and the 900-year-old historic village well → Cross the second purple bridge spanning 915 meters over the open waters to Banwoldo Island → Walk the coastal trail to the crescent-shaped Moon Photo Zone and the retro Purple Phone Booth → Savor a purple sweet potato dessert and purple iced latte at the Banwoldo Community Cafe → Cross the third bridge back to the mainland parking plaza.

Dining on Purple Island is as playful as it is delicious. Try the iconic 'Purple Rice' (steamed rice cooked with anthocyanin-rich purple grains and sweet potato), paired with Sinan’s famous local seafood: fresh grilled croaker (Min-eo), spicy braised skate (Hongeo-chim), and soft-boiled mud octopus (Nakji). In local island cafes, indulge in purple sweet potato soft-serve ice cream, purple macaroons, purple blueberry ades, and purple potato bread (Gamja-ppang). Don't miss purchasing world-renowned Sinan Sun-Dried Sea Salt (Shinan Cheon-il-yeom) harvested from nearby salterns.

Vegetarian diners can enjoy wholesome options including purple sweet potato bibimbap, acorn jelly salads, vegetarian noodles, and sweet pumpkin porridges at the community dining halls on both Banwoldo and Bakjido. The cafes offer soy-milk substitutions for purple lattes. Halal and pescatarian travelers can savor exquisite local seafood: fresh octopus stews (Yeonpotang), seasonal grilled fish banchan, and sea salt crackers, all prepared with pure Yellow Sea ingredients free from pork and meat extracts.

Unforgettable photo spots: standing on the center span of the Purple Bridge with the vibrant violet handrails leading into the turquoise ocean, posing inside the vintage violet London-style telephone booth on Bakjido, sitting atop the giant crescent moon monument on the Banwoldo shoreline, walking through the rolling purple aster flower fields in autumn with the ocean in the background, and candid shots holding a purple umbrella against the pastel violet cottages.

Respect the tranquil island rhythm and local residents, many of whom are senior farmers and fishermen. Do not pick flowers in the lavender or aster fields, and stay on paved paths. Cycling is permitted on the bridge only when crowds allow; on busy holiday weekends, cyclists must dismount and push their bicycles across the wooden bridges for pedestrian safety. Drones are permitted only with prior registration at the ticket office. Pack out all trash to keep the tidal flats clean.

Wearing purple is not only fun—it saves you the admission fee! Bring comfortable walking shoes or sneakers suitable for wooden boardwalks and island roads. The open sea bridges have little natural shade, so carry a purple umbrella or sunhat, sunglasses, and water during warm summer days. Wi-Fi and ATMs are available near the main ticket plaza. For shuttle schedules and tidal conditions, contact the Sinan Purple Island Information Desk at 061-240-5470 or call 1330.

Extend your Sinan archipelago adventure: visit the 1004 Island Museum Complex and World Bonsai Garden on nearby Amtae and Aphae islands, marvel at the mural art painted on round water towers depicting elderly couples with floral hair, explore the historic Jeungdo Taepyeong Salt Farm (a UNESCO biosphere reserve), or head east toward Mokpo Marine Cable Car (PLACE-JEONNAM-009).

Q: What qualifies as purple for free admission? A: The ticket staff are very accommodating: a purple hat, purple shirt, purple pants, purple shoes, a purple scarf, or carrying a purple umbrella all qualify for free entry! Even purple socks or a purple hair accessory often earn a warm smile and free pass. Q: Can I rent electric bicycles on the island? A: Yes, both traditional bicycles and electric golf-cart shuttles are available to rent at the entrances of Bakjido and Banwoldo, allowing effortless exploration of the 5-kilometer perimeter roads.

Sinan Purple Island & 1004 Islands Day Tour: Morning KTX to Mokpo Station → City Bus 2004 or rental car across the majestic 7.2 km Cheonsadaegyo Bridge → Stop for photos at the famous elderly couple camellia mural on Aphae Island → Arrive at Purple Island Duri entrance in purple attire → Walk the Purple Bridge to Bakjido and explore the lavender/aster fields → Rent a bicycle on Banwoldo and ride the coastal path to the Moon Lookout → Lunch at an island restaurant enjoying purple rice and fresh webfoot octopus → Purple sweet potato soft ice cream at the cafe → Return to Mokpo for an evening sunset ride on the Mokpo Marine Cable Car → Return via KTX.