Heuksando
An Introduction to Heuksando
Heuksando is an island in the Yellow Sea located 92.7 km off the Southwest coast of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. It covers an area of 19.7km2 and consists of several peaks: Mt. Munam (400m), Gitdaebong (378m), Seonyubong (300m), Sangrabong (227m). It has been within the administrative boundaries of Sinan County, Jeollanam-do, South Korea since 1969. The island is home to about 3,133 people. The island is said to have its name because its mountains and seas look much too blue or near black. 'Heuk' means black and 'San' means mountains. It is mostly composed of mountains and hills, so its residents usually make a living by fishery and tourism. It is part of a large chain of 11 uninhabited islands and 89 inhabited islands. Because of its natural beauty, it has been designated as part of Dadohae National Marine Park along with nearby islands. Heuksando Island has a circular road that can be travelled all the way around the island along the seashore. Following this road, you can see almost all of the beautiful natural and cultural treasures of the island. The Choryeongmok Tree, once designated as Natural Monument, is said to have the ability to conjure up spirits when a branch is broken and placed on a Buddhist altar. Nearby are Sangroksurim (an evergreen tree) and Seonghwangdang (the shrine of a tutelary deity). Also on Heuksando Island are designated Cultural Treasures such as the Jiseokmyogun (the dolmens' group), Samcheungseokdeung (three-story stone lamp), Samcheungseoktap (a three-story stone pagoda), and Banwolseong (half-moon shaped castle). The island has eight especially beautiful sceneries, which are called Heuksando Eight Sceneries. Among them, Munamchangsong (門巖蒼松,문암창송), Songjeonmangwol (松前望月,송전망월), and Myeongsasipri (明沙十里,명사십리) are especially famous. Munamchangsong refers to the evergreen trees covering the sky of Mt. Munam, and Songjeonmangwol refers to watching the moon at harvest in front of an evergreen. Myeongsasipri refers to a large white sandy beach spread out in front of Jinri Village. The Eight Sceneries of Heuksando are must-see places for those who visit Heuksando Island.
Common Misconceptions about Heuksando
1) The places from which we can go to Heuksando are Busan, Incheon, and Mokpo. → The only gateway to Heuksando is Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. 2) It is possible to visit Heuksando however the weather is. → It is impossible to go there if the weather is not good (especially in winter). So, call the Meteorological Administration in advance to check if the weather is good or not. 3) It is impossible to take cars because it is an island. → There is a passenger ship that carry cars. But it's very expensive. So, unless it's imperative to take a car to the island, it's better to park it at the carport in front of the Mokpo passenger ship terminal. It's free of charge. 4) It is impossible to use banks, hospitals, supermarkets and other modern conveniences in Heuksando. → There is a Nonghyup Bank, a postoffice, supermarkets. There is also an elementary school, a middle school, a police station, and a library. There is even a PC room. It is possible to use ATM there.
Local Transportation Train - From Mokpo Station, take a taxi or bus No. 1 and get off at Mokpo Ferry Terminal (5 minute ride). Then, take a ferry to Heuksando Island. Bus - From Mokpo Bus Terminal, take a taxi or bus No. 1 and get off at Mokpo Ferry Terminal. Ferry Cruise - Schedule: 7:50 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 2 p.m. (1 hour and 50 min ride) - Fare: age 65 or over: 21,700 won / 20-64: 26,700 won / 13-19: 24,200 won / 3-12: 13,350 won (10% discount for hi-demand season)
Sightseeing Guidance
1. Sightseeing on the Sea - Enjoy fully the whole view of Heuksando by taking an excursion ship. | Route | Itinerary | The time required | | 1 | Leaving Heuksan Port ⇨ Domoklee Village ⇨ Yeopmok Cave ⇨ Daedundo Hongyeo Village ⇨ Suri Women divers Village ⇨ Pungnyeonhak Rock ⇨ Chilseong Cave ⇨ General Stores ⇨ Whale Island ⇨ Camel Island ⇨ Candlestick Rock ⇨ Doseung Rock ⇨ Namgeun Stone ⇨ Buddhist priest Rock ⇨ Mother Rock ⇨ General Rock ⇨ 2nd Guemgang Mt. route ⇨ Lotus flower Island ⇨ Fur seal Rock ⇨ Whole view of Guemgang Mt. ⇨ Stone Buddha Rock ⇨ Kiss Rock ⇨ Sad three brothers Rock ⇨ Dinosaur & Whale Rock ⇨ Double dragon Cave ⇨ Four Saints Cave ⇨ Gong Rock ⇨ Bamboo hat Rock ⇨ Skeleton Rock ⇨ Heuksando Hongyeo Cave ⇨ Rabbit&Turtle Rock ⇨ Hojam Island | 1hour 40min | | 2 | Leaving Yeri Port ⇨ Yeongsan Island Lighthouse ⇨ Pasutmun ⇨ Biryu Waterfall ⇨ Chunyeonsukham ⇨ Yongsaeng Cave ⇨ Biseong Cave ⇨ Seokju Gate ⇨ Munamguiun ⇨ Gibongjohui ⇨ Youngsan Island Village | 1hour 40min | | 3 | Introducing Heuksan Yeri Harbor & Special Products ⇨ Banwol Castle ⇨ Eupdong Village ⇨ Pi Rock ⇨ Mari,Buri Village ⇨ Spy tunnel ⇨ Whole view of Munam Mt. ⇨ Simli Village ⇨ Shoreline Giam Cliff ⇨ Sari Village ⇨ Inquiring Jeong Yak-jeon's place of exile ⇨ Inquiring Myeonam Choi Ik-hyun's place of exile ⇨ Introducing Seonwonsajul ⇨ Yongmari | 2hours | | 4 | Sunrise & Sunset on the ship | 1hour | * Underlined are the main places for sightseeing
2. Sightseeing on the Land | Way of transportation | Itinerary | The time required | | by bus | Yeri Park ⇨ Dolmen ⇨ Virgin House ⇨ Baenanggimi Beach ⇨ Ok Isand ⇨ Three-storied stone tower & stone lantern ⇨ Banwol Castle ⇨ Camellia woods ⇨ Bonghwadae ⇨ Heuksando lady Monument ⇨ Sanglabong Observation Deck | | | by taxi/ on foot | Yeri ⇨ Jukhangli ⇨ Dolmen ⇨ Sunghwang House ⇨ Baenanggimi Beach ⇨ Ok Isand ⇨ Eupdong ⇨ Three-storied stone tower & stone lantern ⇨ Banwol Castle ⇨ Camellia woods ⇨ Bonghwadae ⇨ Heuksando lady Monument ⇨ Sanglabong Observation Deck ⇨ Mari ⇨ Jido Rock ⇨ Biri ⇨ Spy Cave ⇨ Hongapchi ⇨ Gonchonli ⇨ Simli ⇨ Amdong ⇨ Sari ⇨ Jeong Yak-jeon's place of exile ⇨ Seven brothers Isand ⇨ Sosari ⇨ Saekye Beach ⇨ Chunchonli ⇨ Myeonam Choi Ik-hyun's place of exile ⇨ Cheongchonli ⇨ Ganeunge ⇨ Samgol ⇨ Yeri | 2hours | * Underlined is The main places for sightseeing
The main places for sightseeing in Heuksando
1) Candlestick Rock This rock seems to be a candlestick that has been burned until only bottom part remained. This huge white rock rising above the blue sea is 50 meters high and has a big hole at the bottom that makes you imagine a burning candlestick. During the Shinra era, this rock took a role as a lighthouse when General Jang Bo-go traded with Tang (a Chinese dynasty).
2) Seokju Gate This gate on the surface of the water was made of rock and many ships pass through the gate and some fishermen enjoy fishing at this place. The shape looks like an elephant, so this gate is sometimes called Elephant Rock as well as Hole Rock.
3) Jeong Yak-jeon's place of exile Famous Korean scholar Jeong Yak-jeon lived here for 15 years as an exile. While staying in Heuksando, he collected 155 fish and seafoods at Southwest Coast and wrote a book "Jasaneobo" He also taught villagers there.
4) Myeonam Choi Ik-hyun's place of exile Famous Korean scholar Choi Ik-hyun's own handwriting was carved on the Palm Rock in Cheoncholi, Heuksanmyeon. Later his followers tried to deliver his noble patriotism and educational philosophy to descendants by building the Choi Ik-hyun monument.
5) Dolmen
This Bronze age dolmen is the farthest one from the main land and it is academically valued. It was appointed as a cultural asset in Korea.
6) Baenanggimi Beach This beautiful beach consists of fine sand and gravel. The tide gap is great and you can enjoy fishing at rising tide and catching shellfish at low tide as well.
Special Products
Heuksan Hong-eo(Skate)
"Heuksando Hong-eo" has been famous for a long time. When our ancestors caught fish in the sea and went to the land to sell them, it usually took much time for them to arrive at the shore. So most of the fish went bad and people couldn't eat them, but "Hong-eo" was edible. Since then, keeping uncooked "Hong-eo" for a few days has been a tradition. We can enjoy "Hong-eo" raw or in a soup. It catches popularity among many epicures because of its stink and glutinous taste. We call it "Hongtak" when Hong-eo is accompanied with Makgeoli and call it "Samhap" when it is accompanied with Kimchi and boiled pork. Needless to say, the taste is beyond description. People who enjoy "Hong-eo" usually keep the raw ones in pottery. After a few days, they take them out and find they went bad slightly and smell spicy. People slice and eat them and soon the mouth is filled with its spicy and stinky taste. Many people become captivated by its unique taste. Then why is "Heuksan Hong-eo" distinguished? The reason is that the Hong-eo fish themselves in Heuksando have much better taste and they are more glutinous than those in Gunsan or Incheon.
| 
