Mokpo Gatbawi at the End of a 298 m Seawalk

Two Hat-Shaped Rocks Formed by Volcanic Ash About 80 Million Years Ago

Mokpo Gatbawi consists of welded tuff formed when volcanic ash solidified about 80 million years ago. The rocks look as though two people are standing side by side wearing traditional hats. Mokpo City introduces these rocks as Natural Monument No. 500, while the Korea Tourism Organization describes them as one of Mokpo’s representative scenic attractions.

The distinctive outline seen today was not carved by anyone; it is described as the result of being worn down and shaped by waves and fog over a long period. The fact that this is a coastal landform where seawater and freshwater meet also provides a clue for understanding the rocks’ location and erosion landscape.

Access via a 298 m Ocean Walkway Instead of by Boat

In the past, Gatbawi had to be viewed by boat because it was located on a seaside cliff, but today visitors use the ocean walkway. The walkway is 298 m long and 3.6–4.6 m wide, consisting of a wooden bridge measuring 118 m, a concrete bridge measuring 40 m, and a floating pier measuring 140 m.

The bridge floats on the water, rising by about 1 m at high tide and descending with the seawater at low tide. Therefore, this is not a paid attraction where visitors enter through a ticket office; instead, visitors follow the path over the sea from the walkway entrance toward the rocks. The rocks are viewed from the ocean walkway rather than climbed or touched.

The Walkway Opens at 05:00, and Weather Determines Access

According to Mokpo City’s official information, the ocean walkway operates from 05:00 to 23:00 in winter and from 05:00 to 24:00 in summer. No separate closing days are listed, and Gatbawi viewing is described as free.

Access may be restricted during severe weather such as typhoons, heavy rain, heavy snow, or fog. Nightscape lighting has been installed, allowing visitors to see the scenery late at night as well. However, because the route includes a floating pier over the sea, strong winds or fog can prevent use even during operating hours; this is the most important variable on site.

No confirmed information is available regarding photography restrictions, cash-only ticketing, queues, footwear or clothing restrictions, English information, or audio guides. Since this is not a facility requiring an admission ticket, it is more accurate to set the ocean walkway entrance as the destination rather than search for a ticket office.

Take Bus No. 15 from Mokpo Station to 166-1 Namnong-ro

Travelers visiting Mokpo for the first time can use Mokpo Station as their starting point. A Korea Tourism Organization recommended itinerary explains that visitors can take Bus No. 15 from the Mokpo Station bus stop to Gatbawi Culture Town. Since the drop-off stop and walking distance are not specified, it is safest to show the driver “Gatbawi Culture Town” or “Gatbawi Ocean Walkway” before boarding.

The KTX from Seoul or Yongsan Station to Mokpo Station takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Express buses from Central City Terminal to Mokpo Comprehensive Bus Terminal operate 24 times a day and take about 3 hours 50 minutes. Driving from Seoul takes about 4 hours 20 minutes via the Gyeongbu Expressway and Seohaean Expressway.

The official location of the Gatbawi Ocean Walkway is 166-1 Namnong-ro, Mokpo-si. The tourist attraction address provided is 139 Mihang-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, so when using navigation, searching for “166-1 Namnong-ro” first is more useful for finding the ocean walkway entrance.

How to Choose Among Seven Museums at Gatbawi Culture Town

The Gatbawi area is known as Gatbawi Culture Town, and its road name is introduced as Namnong-ro. Nearby are the Mokpo Culture and Arts Center, Mokpo Literary and Historical Hall, Mokpo Natural History Museum, Mokpo Living Ceramics Museum, Namnong Memorial Hall, Mokpo Literature Museum, Ok Craft Exhibition Hall, and Maritime Relics Exhibition Hall.

Rather than visiting only the rocks and leaving, a practical approach is to add one or two places based on your interests. Those interested in nature and geology can choose the Mokpo Natural History Museum, while those interested in local art and literature can choose Namnong Memorial Hall and the Mokpo Literature Museum. Visitor information explains that these cultural spaces are good places to explore slowly, but if time or energy is limited, Namnong Memorial Hall and the Mokpo Literature Museum are recommended.

The related course duration presented in the Cultural Heritage Visit Campaign materials is about 2 hours. This can be used as a reference for an itinerary combining the Gatbawi Ocean Walkway with the surrounding cultural spaces, while the individual viewing times for each museum were not confirmed in this information.

Gatbawi 10 Minutes from Samhakdo, Namjin Night Market 6 Minutes Away

Mokpo City presents Gatbawi in a day itinerary following the order of Yudalsan Mountain → Mokpo Modern History Hall and Ihundong Garden → Gatbawi → Namjin Night Market. This creates a full-day route connecting sea scenery, the modern-era city center, and a night market.

For a two-day, one-night itinerary, the recommended first-day route is Samhakdo canoe experience → Gatbawi Culture Town → Namjin Night Market. The drive from Samhakdo to Gatbawi Culture Town takes 10 minutes and covers 4 km, while the drive from Gatbawi Culture Town to Namjin Night Market takes 6 minutes and covers 2.64 km.

You can plan separately for the public transportation route using Bus No. 15 from Mokpo Station and the route by car. Visiting all the nearby museums may take longer than 2 hours, so first-time visitors may find it easier to combine the ocean walkway with about two museums.

Seagulls and Night Lighting Are Visible, but You Cannot Approach the Rocks Closely

When tourists gather, seagulls are described as arriving in groups. Nightscape lighting has been installed on the ocean walkway, allowing visitors to experience the daytime eroded landforms and the nighttime sea scenery in different ways.

However, the main experience is appreciating the rocks from the walkway, not climbing them directly. Access may be restricted during severe weather because of typhoons, heavy rain, heavy snow, or fog, and detailed information about slopes and stairs for wheelchairs and strollers is not provided. Travelers using mobility aids should plan to check the actual condition at the walkway entrance on site.

Gatbawi and the surrounding museums also appear in a Mokpo travel vlog posted on July 24, 2025. However, videos and blog reviews reflect conditions on specific dates, so contacting Mokpo Tourism Information about operating status and weather restrictions is the most direct option.

Call 061-270-8598 for Inquiries and Preview the Official Mokpo VR

The Mokpo Tourism Information telephone number is 061-270-8598, and the official inquiry numbers related to the Gatbawi Ocean Walkway are 061-273-0536 and 061-270-8598. Information about parking availability and fees, the exact walking distance, photography restrictions, English information, and audio guides is not provided.

Mokpo City’s official tourism website is https://www.mokpo.go.kr/tour, and its attractions section provides an aerial VR view of Gatbawi. Before visiting, use the aerial VR to preview the orientation of the rocks and the ocean walkway scenery, then enter 166-1 Namnong-ro as the destination to make planning the route easier.

The Gatbawi-related information in the Korea Tourism Organization’s recommended course was registered on March 26, 2018, and revised on July 2, 2021. The operating hours and weather restriction information used in this article are based on Mokpo City’s official tourism information as of 2026.