Ui Island with an 80 m Sand Dune and a Joseon-era Wharf
Ui Island is the main island of the Ui Archipelago, which consists of 27 islands. Here, you can see Donmok Beach, a sand dune known to reach 80 m in height, and a wharf with records of reconstruction dating to the Joseon period. You must take a ferry from Mokpo Coastal Ferry Terminal, so check the sailing schedule and weather conditions in advance.
I’ve been here?
Your check-in helps the next traveler.
No one has checked in yet Be the first
One tap — no writing needed
The Origin of the Name Ui Island, the Center of a 27-Island Archipelago
Ui Island is an island belonging to Dochomyeon, Sinan-gun, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, and the main island of the 27-island Ui Archipelago, which includes uninhabited islands such as Hwado, Hangdo, Seungdo, Songdo, Gado, and Eorakdo. The names Soguseom and Ugaedo have also been used.
Sinan-gun explains that the two peninsulas protruding from both ends of the island’s western side resemble the ears of an ox, giving rise to the name Ui (牛耳), meaning “ox ear.” Another account says that because the terrain resembled ox ears, the island was called Soguseom, Sogu, or Ugaedo, and was later renamed Ui Island during the process of rendering the name in Chinese characters.
Ui-dori After Kim Ok-seung Settled Here in 1608
Ui Island Village was formed when Kim Ok-seung of the Gyeongju Kim clan first moved to the island and settled there in 1608. Its current administrative affiliation was not established all at once; the island was incorporated into Heuksan-myeon, Jidogun, in 1896.
In 1914, Jin-ri, Seongchon, Bidu, Jeodu, and Souwido were combined and incorporated into Heuksan-myeon, Muan-gun. On November 21, 1962, it was transferred to Dochomyeon, Muan-gun, under Decree No. 117. When Sinan-gun was separated from Muan-gun in 1969, the island acquired its current administrative status as part of Dochomyeon, Sinan-gun.
Why See the 80-Meter Sand Dune Together with Donmok Beach
Ui Island has a sand dune known to be 80 meters high, and Sinan-gun introduces it as a major tourist resource connected with Donmok Beach. Rather than treating the beach and sand dune separately, visitors typically arrive at Donmok Beach and examine the sandy terrain as part of the same itinerary.
Ui Island is introduced as a tourist resource of Dochomyeon, which is designated as part of Dadohaehaesang National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. However, the publicly available information does not specify the permitted access range, restricted areas, or whether photography is limited. Visitors must not enter protected areas arbitrarily on site.
Ui Island’s Seonchang, with Records of Joseon-Era Reconstruction
Ui Island’s Seonchang is introduced as the only traditional harbor facility whose original form remains fully intact. A stone monument records the reconstruction of the Seonchang during the Joseon period, making it a historic site where visitors can learn about the island’s maritime transportation history rather than merely a place to board a boat.
This Seonchang is described not as a relic used only in the past, but as maritime-related cultural heritage that has continued to be used to the present day. It is also recognized for its symbolic value in representing the islanders’ way of life. Rather than touching the structure or obstructing movement, visitors should observe how the harbor is used together with the surrounding living spaces.
How to Reach the Island on the 11:45 Departure from Mokpo
Foreign visitors traveling to Ui Island for the first time should use Mokpo Coastal Ferry Terminal as their starting point. The published timetable lists a departure from Mokpo at 11:45, arrival at Docho at 14:15, and arrival at Ui 1-gu at 14:53, followed by arrivals at Seosoui at 15:02 and Dongsoui at 15:05.
The same timetable also lists arrival at Yeri at 15:25 and Ui 2-gu at 15:50. Directions to Mokpo Coastal Ferry Terminal indicate traveling about 4.3 km straight after turning left at Yeonsan-dong Intersection from Mokpo IC. As services may change depending on weather conditions, make an advance reservation with Haegwang Marine Transportation. The contact number is 061-283-9915.
Calculating Departure Times from Seoul and Gwangju for the 06:20 Return Ferry from Docho
The return timetable lists departure from Docho at 06:20, arrival at Ui 2-gu at 07:20, Yeri at 07:40, and Dongsoui at 07:57, with arrival in Mokpo at 11:15. For itineraries that do not include an overnight stay on the island, the early departure time is a major constraint.
For travel from the mainland to Mokpo, the first express bus from Seoul Central City Terminal to Mokpo departs at 06:00, and the journey is listed as taking 3 hours and 50 minutes. Adult fares are 43,800 won, 40,400 won, and 33,700 won by class. At Gwangju U-Square, the first bus departs at 06:00 and takes 55 minutes to Mokpo. Adult fares are listed as 7,200 won for standard, 9,300 won for premium, and 11,100 won for the last premium bus, making it easier to plan a connection than from Seoul.
Visiting Ui Island: Open Year-Round but Requiring Preparation
Ui Island is listed as open at all times throughout the year, and no separate admission fee was found in the publicly available information. Therefore, do not assume that admission is free; consider the passenger ferry to the island and local transportation separately. The inquiry number for Ui Island is 061-240-8615.
The address provided by the Korea Tourism Organization is 47-9 Uijin-ri-gil, Dochomyeon, Sinan-gun, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City. The publicly available information does not confirm parking availability or fees, English-language information, audio guides, cash-only policies, or photography restrictions. No official information on wheelchair or stroller accessibility is available either. As the site is introduced as a place where visitors mainly walk between villages and across the sandy sections of Pungseong Sand Dune and the beach, access to those areas may be limited.
Before You Go
- Address
- 47-9 Uijin-ri-gil, Dochomyeon, Sinan-gun, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City
- Hours
- Open at all times
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Phone
- 061-240-8615
- Official site
- https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=109548
- Transport
- Take a passenger ferry from Mokpo Coastal Ferry Terminal. The published timetable lists departure from Mokpo at 11:45, arrival at Docho at 14:15, and arrival at Ui 1-gu at 14:53. Ferry operator inquiries: 061-283-9915. Services may change depending on weather conditions.
- Time needed
- Approximately 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes based on visitor reviews (for an exploration course covering Jin-ri Pier, the village, Sangsanbong Peak, Donmok Beach, and Pungseong Sand Dune)
- Accessibility
- No official information on wheelchair or stroller accessibility was found. As the site is introduced as a place where visitors mainly walk between villages and across sandy sections, areas such as Pungseong Sand Dune and the beach may be difficult to access with wheelchairs or strollers.
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Food & Dining 3
-
1
Urimjang MinbakAt this guesthouse, you can enjoy meals made with island ingredients when you make a reservation. -
2
Seolhui's GuesthouseMeals featuring local seafood and fresh ingredients are available upon reservation. -
3
Uido Super MinbakA guesthouse where you can enjoy fresh seafood and side dishes made with wild mountain greens
Events in This Area
Festivals in This Area
More Travel Guides in This Area
Travel Guide
Walking Sinan’s Banwol and Bakji Islands Along the 1.842 km Purple Bridge
Travel Guide
Jindo Dog Theme Park: A Walk Timed for the Dogs' Running Sessions
Travel Guide
Jindo Unlimsanbang, Where the Mist of Cheomchalsan Became a Studio for Southern School Painting
Travel Guide
Discovering Jeungdo’s Salt Records in a 1953 Stone Warehouse at Taepyeong Salt Farm
Korea News
News
‘NewJeans Expulsion’ Danielle Releases Her First YouTube Video… “We Don’t Know What Will Happen Next”
![aespa’s North American Tour Has Remaining Seats Despite ‘$49’ Bargain Prices… A Stark Popularity Gap with KATSEYE [TEN Starfield]](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1788485037424_a59b1932_naver_rank_thumb_0000774618_1788485037424.jpg){kind=icon}
News
aespa’s North American Tour Has Remaining Seats Despite ‘$49’ Bargain Prices… A Stark Popularity Gap with KATSEYE [TEN Starfield]
![[Photo] TWICE’s Dahyun attends a film festival red carpet as an actress](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1788485316508_edd43ecd_news_870a60a6-6f11-4d73-aa7c-48d91318a0f7.jpg)
News
[Photo] TWICE’s Dahyun attends a film festival red carpet as an actress
![[On-Site Video] “We’re Departing Separately Together”… BIGBANG Begins ‘COSMOS’ World Tour](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1788485226518_c5719641_news_fdd4764a-0f4e-4968-8e4e-e98a02872f88.jpg)
News