Mokpo is a beautiful city that is full of historical sites and cultural heritages, where visitors can learn about Korean history and the culture of modern times. Last October, I took a day trip to Mokpo with my Korean friend. It was my first trip to another city outside Gwangju since starting to study in Korea last year. The city was fascinating and its scenery was very different from Gwangju. It was like the countryside that I had seen in a Korean drama. Everywhere I visited was like a picture, and the slogan “Romantic Port, Mokpo” matched the city well.

Mokpojin Historical Park
The first destination was the Mokpojin Historical Park. I got off at Hangdong Market bus stop to go to the park located on a high hill. I climbed up the hill, smelling the salty smell of the seafood market. I was surprised at first when I saw Korean traditional architecture including Hongsalmun (red arrow gate) in the park. The structures are large and similar to the palaces I saw in Korean dramas. The historical site was the naval base established in 1439 during the reign of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty to protect the sea routes in this area. At the time, Joseon navy sailors and their families were stationed in the coastal fortress. Now, the modern cultural heritages of the port city of Mokpo have been preserved around this site. In addition, there is an observation deck, so I could see the beautiful scenery and sea of Mokpo there. It was unusual to see the colorful roofs of the buildings in the city and floating fishing boats all at once.

Mokpo Modern History Museum 1
I visited the Mokpo Modern History Museum 1 as my second destination. I had high expectations for this museum because it was the filming location of the famous Korean dram “Hotel Del Luna.” It was better than I expected. This is the oldest building in Mokpo, which was completed in December 1900 for the Mokpo Japanese Consulate and its auxiliary facilities. After liberation, it was used as the Mokpo City Hall and the Cultural Center. In 2014, it has opened as the Mokpo Modern History Museum 1. Visitors usually have to pay 2,000 won for adults for admission, but we entered for free because that day was the 2022 Mokpo Music Play festival. There was no difficulty in viewing exhibitions in the museum because it provided a multilingual guide. So I found many foreigners like me in the museum. As soon as I entered the museum, people who were laughing became serious. I thought that they showed respect for history. I learned about Korean history during the Japanese Occupation and the pain of the war, and I was able to understand modern Korean history more deeply.

Mokpo Skywalk
My last destination was the Mokpo Skywalk, which is a structure of 54 meters long and 15 meters high which was opened in July 2020. I was excited by the view reflected in the windows as I was on my way there by bus. The sea always makes people happy. Looking at the sea, I eliminated recent worries and misfortunes. My hometown is also a city close to the sea, so I felt like I went to my hometown while looking at the sea in Mokpo. The blue sky, the sea, and the mountains and trees were so romantic that it was hard to express in words. It would be romantic to walk on the beach with family, friends, and lovers. Like the name of the tourist attraction, walking across the skywalk was like walking in the sky. It was made of a transparent multi-panel glass floors, so the sea was clearly visible through the glass floors. It was so high that I could not get to the end of the skywalk. Although it was a little scary, it was worth challenging myself.

Memorable Travel Experience
I visited several tourist attractions such as the Mokpojin Historical Park, the Mokpo Modern History Museum 1 and the Mokpo Skywalk for a day. Each scenic spot gave me a different experience. First, I could see the beautiful scenery of Mokpo and the traditional architecture in the park. The Mokpo Modern History Museum 1 gave me an opportunity to experience modern Korean history and culture. Finally, the magnificence of the sea view from the skywalk was great. Mokpo is a city full of history and culture, and visiting the city is like going into history and being absorbed in Korean culture. Meanwhile, it was a big regret not to travel to different cities in the country. This trip to Mokpo allowed me to learn more about the city’s history and culture and to experience the beauty of Mokpo. It is worth visiting if you like history and culture.

By Ji Meongyuan, Sophomore, Dept. of English Language and Literature
Photo by Hong Ju-yeon, Student Editor