From 215 m Yeonhwa Peak to Yongmeori: Walking Tongyeong’s Yeonhwa Island Around the Ferry Schedule
Yeonhwa Island is located in Yeonhwa-ri, Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong, and its Yeonhwa Peak, Yeonhwasa Temple, Bodeokam Hermitage, and Yongmeori coast can be connected along a single walking route. Since the ferry schedule determines the start and end of the trip, for a same-day round trip it is safest to plan two hours for the 7 km Course B, plus waiting time at the pier.
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A 3.41㎢ coastline named for its resemblance to a lotus flower
Yeonhwado (蓮花島) is introduced as an island whose name derives from its shape, which resembles a lotus flower in bud when viewed from the northern sea. Its area is 3.41㎢, its coastline is approximately 12.5 km long, and its administrative address is Yeonhwa-ri, Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.
Since 1995, when Tongyeong County and Chungmu City were merged, Yeonhwado has belonged to Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong-si. Rock formations extending toward the sea, such as the Yongmeori Coast on the eastern side of the island, and the cliffs around the harbor are central features of the route. As a result, the island is better suited to a walking trip along hilly island trails than to a beach-focused swimming vacation.
- Reference coordinates: 34.645235, 128.350948
- Administrative address: Yeonhwa-ri, Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Island area: 3.41㎢
- Coastline: approximately 12.5 km
The axis of the tradition of Master Samyeong’s Buddhist practice, shaped by Yeonhwasa and Bodeokam
Yeonhwado is home to Yeonhwasa, Bodeokam, Yeonhwado-in, and the site of Master Samyeong’s hermitage, so the island’s scenery can be understood alongside its Buddhist heritage. According to available sources, the present Yeonhwasa was founded in August 1998 by the late monk Gosan, who had served as head of the Jogye Order’s General Council and abbot of Ssanggyesa, on a mountainside where Master Samyeong is said to have stayed and practiced Buddhism.
Bodeokam is a hermitage affiliated with Yeonhwasa and is known as a point where the view opens toward the Yongmeori Coast around the statue of the Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara. To observe temple etiquette, avoid taking photographs inside the Dharma hall, speaking loudly, or obstructing passageways. Even when photographing during hydrangea season, it is best to keep worship areas and worshippers’ routes clear.
- Yeonhwasa founded: August 1998
- Related figures: Monk Gosan, Master Samyeong
- Yeonhwasa address: 110, Simgol-gil, Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong-si
- After visiting Bodeokam, check the wind strength toward Yongmeori
The actual sequence of the 7.0 km Course B: pier · Yeonhwasa · Bodeokam · suspension bridge
For first-time day visitors, Course B—Yeonhwado Pier → Yeonhwasa → Bodeokam → suspension bridge → Yongmeori Observatory → Yeonhwado Pier—is relatively straightforward. According to guide materials, the total distance is approximately 7.0 km and the walking time is about 2 hours, but allowing at least 3 hours is more realistic when temple visits, photography at the observatory, and breaks on uphill sections are included.
The longer Course A follows Yeonhwado Pier → Yeonhwabong Peak → Bodeokam → suspension bridge → Yongmeori Observatory → Yeonhwado Pier and is approximately 8.8 km, taking about 3 hours. Yeonhwabong Peak is 215 m above sea level, so shoes with good traction are preferable to sandals. Immediately after rain, reduce your walking speed on rock surfaces, stairs, and sloped paths.
- Course B: approximately 7.0 km, about 2 hours
- Course A: approximately 8.8 km, about 3 hours
- Yeonhwabong Peak elevation: 215 m
- At the fork: suspension bridge and Yongmeori to the left; Yeonhwabong Peak and Bodeokam to the right
Planning ferry travel from Tongyeong Port or Samdeok Port to Yeonhwado Pier
As Yeonhwado cannot be reached by road, the standard method is to take a passenger ferry bound for Yokjido from the Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal or Samdeok Port and get off at Yeonhwado Pier. The Korea Railroad Industry Information Center lists Tongyeong Port and Samdeok Port as departure points and introduces the ferry from Tongyeong Port as reaching Yeonhwado in about one hour.
Departure times, the order of port calls, and vehicle-loading availability may change depending on the season, weather, and vessel conditions. Therefore, reconfirm the ferry operator’s official timetable the day before entering the island and immediately before departure. Plan to finish walking early enough to arrive at the pier at least 30 minutes before the return ferry. As regular public transportation schedules within the island could not be officially confirmed, it is safest to plan on completing the route on foot.
- Main departure points: Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal, Samdeok Port
- Disembarkation point: Yeonhwado Pier
- Stated travel time from Tongyeong Port: approximately 1 hour
- Key point for a day trip: confirm the round-trip ticket and return departure time first
Why you need to consider both the June hydrangea trail and summer water shortages
Hydrangeas have been planted within the grounds of Yeonhwasa and along the path up to Bodeokam, attracting many travelers in June. If flowers are your priority, it is advantageous for managing the ferry schedule to place the uphill section from Yeonhwasa to Bodeokam early in the itinerary, pass through the temple area before the midday heat, and then continue toward Yongmeori and the suspension bridge.
Conversely, water shortages on the island have reportedly occurred during the summer peak season, so it is advisable to prepare at least 1 liter of personal drinking water and a light snack before boarding. Since the opening of shops, restaurants, and restrooms around the pier cannot be guaranteed on the day, it is better to stock up on bottled water, a portable raincoat, and sun-protection items in Tongyeong or at Samdeok Port.
- Hydrangea viewing period: mainly June
- What to bring: at least 1 liter of water, raincoat, hat, non-slip shoes
- Period requiring caution: water availability during the summer peak season
- Photography: do not block worshippers or walking routes at the temple
Allow 30 minutes to turn back from the Yongmeori Coast and suspension bridge for the ferry
Yongmeori is the rocky coast at the eastern end of Yeonhwado. Because of the way several rocky islets are connected, it is also called Yongmeori or the Four Rocky Islets. The Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara statue at Bodeokam, the suspension bridge, and Yongmeori Observatory are connected to one another, but missing the departure time from the pier can sharply reduce accommodation and transportation options on the island. Therefore, limit the time spent at the observatory according to the round-trip ferry schedule.
The steep and stair-filled sections toward the suspension bridge and Yongmeori may not be suitable for travelers with limited mobility, families with strollers, or people with a fear of heights. Since official sources could not confirm whether the entire route is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers or whether permanent foreign-language guidance is available, travelers requiring accessibility assistance should contact the ferry operator and temple staff individually before boarding.
- Recommended for the return ferry: arrive at the pier 30 minutes before departure
- Sections requiring caution: suspension bridge, coastal rocks, sloped stairs
- May not be suitable for: people with a fear of heights, those needing walking assistance, or travelers with strollers
- Recommended time: at least 3 hours for Course B, excluding ferry waiting time
Whether to extend the route to Udo’s pedestrian bridge or stop after Yeonhwado’s 7 km
Some visitors extend their route via a pedestrian bridge to nearby Udo, but even the 7.0 km Course B and the Yeonhwabong Peak–Yongmeori section make for a tightly scheduled day trip by ferry. Especially if the first ferry is late or the return ferry departs early, it is better to skip the extension to Udo and prioritize key sites among Yeonhwasa, Bodeokam, and the suspension bridge.
Parking must be arranged at the departure port rather than on the island. The location and fees of public parking on Yeonhwado itself could not be confirmed through reliable official sources and are therefore left unspecified. If bringing a vehicle, first check with the ferry operator which departures accept vehicles and the reservation deadline at the departure port. A separate admission fee for entering the island, regular closing days, and a representative telephone number for Yeonhwado also could not be confirmed.
- Yeonhwado admission fee: unable to confirm separately
- Regular closing days for Yeonhwado: unable to confirm separately
- Island representative telephone number: unable to confirm separately
- Traveling with a vehicle: check in advance which departures from each port accept vehicles
Before You Go
- Address
- Yeonhwado, Yeonhwa-ri, Yokji-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Transport
- Take a passenger ferry bound for Yokjido from the Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal or Samdeok Port and disembark at Yeonhwado Pier. The stated travel time from Tongyeong Port is about 1 hour; check the operator’s timetable for departure times and ports of call immediately before departure.
- Time needed
- Course B: approximately 7.0 km and about 2 hours; Course A: approximately 8.8 km and about 3 hours. Including the temple visit and waiting at the pier, at least 3 hours is recommended for Course B.
- Accessibility
- The route includes a suspension bridge, rocky surfaces, and sloped stairs, so accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers along the entire route could not be confirmed. Permanent foreign-language guidance could not be confirmed either.
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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1
Yeonhwasa TempleA Buddhist temple where you can explore a hydrangea path and Buddhist historic sites together. -
2
Bodeokam HermitageA hermitage where you can see a Sea Avalokitesvara statue atop a cliff and enjoy views of the sea. -
3
YeonhwabongA peak overlooking Yeonhwado Island and the surrounding archipelago from the island’s summit.
Food & Dining 3
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4
Nebawi HoetjipA raw fish restaurant serving fresh seafood such as mackerel sashimi and mulhoe (cold raw fish soup). -
5
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6
Songdoho MinbakA restaurant where you can enjoy seaweed bibimbap and a spread of seasonal seafood dishes.
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