Pohang, South Korea: the jewel of the East Sea, in search of its hidden charms!

Hello, travel lovers! 🌟 Today I’d like to invite you to Pohang, a hidden gem of a city in South Korea. While most international travelers visit familiar cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island, Pohang is a unique place that combines the dazzling charm of the East Sea with the authenticity of Korea. Pohang is the center of the steel industry, but it’s also home to beautiful beaches and fresh seafood, so join me to learn all about it.

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🚀 Getting to Pohang: How do I get there?

Traveling from Seoul to Pohang is very convenient. There are many different ways to choose from to suit your budget and time!

• KTX High Speed Train (Seoul ↔ Pohang KTX Train): The fastest and most comfortable way is the KTX high speed train. It departs from Seoul Station or Suseo Station and takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Pohang Station. The seats are spacious and comfortable, and you can enjoy the scenery outside the window while traveling 🚄.
• Express Bus: For a slightly cheaper option, try the express bus. It takes about 4 hours to get from Gangnam Express Bus Terminal or Dongseoul Bus Terminal in Seoul to Pohang Express Bus Terminal. 🚌
• Flight: There is Pohang Airport, but there are not many flights from Gimpo Airport and it is not very time-efficient, so we usually recommend KTX or highway bus. ✈️

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🗺️ Must-see places in Pohang: Don’t miss!

Pohang is a colorful city that blends nature, culture, and modern architecture.

🏞️ Nature and Landscapes: The Beauty of the East Sea

1. Homigot (Homigot): 🌅

   • Features: Located at the easternmost tip of the Korean Peninsula, it is especially famous as a New Year’s sunrise spot. The ‘Hand of Win-Win’, a giant hand sculpture on the sea, is Pohang’s signature landmark, and with the vast ocean in the background, you can take a great ‘life shot’!
   • Tip: It is highly recommended to visit at dawn to see the spectacular sunrise.

2. Yeongildae Beach: 🌃

   • Features: This is the closest beach to the city center, and at night, the Yeongildae Noogak, the only noogak on the sea, is beautifully illuminated, creating a fantastic night view. The beach is lined with atmospheric cafes and restaurants, perfect for strolling and relaxing.
   • Tip: After dinner, sit at one of the cafes around Yeongil University and relax while watching the sea at night. ☕

3. Igari Anchor Observatory: ⚓

   • Features: This maritime observatory has a unique design in the shape of a giant anchor. As you walk along the path that stretches out over the blue sea, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the middle of the ocean. It’s a great place to take photos!
   • Tip: We recommend visiting during the day when the sea is at its most beautiful color.

🏘️ Markets and culture: Pohang’s vibrant daily life

1. Jukdo Market: 🦑

   • Features: This is the largest traditional market on Korea’s east coast and is filled with fresh seafood. The lively vendors and a wide variety of food offerings give this market the true charm of a Korean market. There are also many restaurants where you can enjoy cheap and fresh seafood.
   • Tip: It’s fun to haggle with the vendors, and don’t forget to try some of the street food hidden in the alleyways, such as fish cakes, fries, and more! 🥟

2. Pohang Canal: 🚢

   • Features: This is a man-made canal that runs through the city center, and you can take a boat ride to see Pohang’s scenery from a different perspective. At night, the colorful lighting adds to its charm.
   • Tip: If you take a cruise at sunset, you can enjoy the sunset and night view at the same time, making it even more romantic.

🎢 Exotic experiences: only in Pohang

1. Hwanho Park Space Walk: 🎢 🎢 * Features: Recently, the Hwanho Park Space Walk has been opened to the public.

   • Features: Pohang’s hottest landmark in recent years! It’s a giant roller coaster-shaped sculpture that you can walk directly up the stairs. It’s a dizzying but beautiful view point of the East Sea and the city of Pohang, giving you a unique experience of walking through space.
   • Tips: Wear comfortable sneakers, and watch your head as it can be very windy! 🌬️

2. Pohang Steel Art Park: 🖼️ Features: This is a unique park that shows the identity of Pohang as a steel city. Various steel artworks are on display, creating a unique atmosphere, and it’s a great place to visit with kids.

   • Tips: It is close to the Space Walk, so we recommend visiting together.

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🍽️ Must-try foods in Pohang: Gastronomic delights!

Pohang is located on the East Sea, so there are tons of fresh seafood dishes.

1. Mulhoe (Mulhoe): 🐟🌶️

   • Features: A representative dish of Pohang, it is a rice bowl made with fresh seafood (mainly sashimi) and vegetables in a cold broth. It has a spicy, sour, and cool flavor, and is a delicacy especially in the hot summer months. It’s even more delicious when rolled up with rice or somen noodles.
   • Recommended: You can taste it at sashimi restaurants around Jukdo Market or near the beaches of Yeongil University.

2. Gwamegi: 🥢

   • Features: Herring or saury is frozen, thawed, and dried repeatedly in winter, and is a Pohang winter delicacy. It has a unique flavor and texture that is often wrapped with nori, wakame seaweed, garlic, chili, and gochujang (super chili paste). You’ll either love it or hate it, but it’s definitely worth trying at least once!
   • Tip: It tastes best during the winter months (November through February).

3. King Crab/Snow Crab: 🦀 🦀 * Tips: Best enjoyed in winter (November through February).

   • Features: If you visit Pohang during the season, be sure to try the fresh, meaty snow crab or king crab. The fried rice made with the leftover intestines after steaming is a delicacy not to be missed.
   • Recommended: Restaurants in Jukdo Market and restaurants near Guryongpo Port are famous.

4. Seafood Kalguksu/Sujebi (Seafood Kalguksu/Sujebi): 🍜

   • Features: Hot and cold soup with plenty of fresh seafood is another Pohang delicacy, especially on rainy or chilly days.

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💡 Pohang Travel Tips: For a more enjoyable trip!

• Local Transport: Pohang has a good public transportation system, so it’s easy to get to major tourist spots via city buses or taxis (we recommend using the Kakao Taxi app).
• Accommodation: There are many hotels, pensions, and Airbnbs around Yeongil-dae Beach. We recommend booking a place with a sea view for a more romantic night 🏨.
• Best Time to Visit:
  • Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October): The weather is at its most pleasant, perfect for outdoor activities.
  • Summer (July-August): Great for swimming, but can be very hot and crowded.
  • Winter (November-February):** Great for sunrise over Homi Cape and tasting guacamole, but the weather can be very cold.
• Language: It’s good to know basic Korean greetings (hello, thank you, etc.), but you can use a translation app (such as Naver Papago) to communicate with most restaurants and tourist spots without too much trouble. 🗣️
• What to Pack: There will be a lot of walking, including the Space Walk, so make sure to bring comfortable shoes, seasonally appropriate clothing, camera, charger, etc. 👟📷

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💖 Wrapping up: Make memories in Pohang!

Pohang is a charming city that blends industry and nature, tradition and modernity. The dazzling East Sea, fresh seafood, and unique attractions hidden throughout the city will delight your senses.

Why not take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and create unique experiences and memories that can only be found in Pohang? We hope your next trip to South Korea will include Pohang!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments! See you in the next post! Bye! 👋