Walking Sinan’s Banwol and Bakji Islands Along the 1.842 km Purple Bridge
Sinan Purple Island is a tourist destination that reimagines the sea bridges linking Banwol Island and Bakji Island from Duri on Anjwa Island, along with the island villages, in purple. Knowing the free-entry condition of carrying a purple item, seasonal operating hours, and the route from Duri Parking Lot lets you choose an itinerary suited to your schedule, from a 1–2-hour walk to the 5.7 km perimeter trail.
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How the ‘Bridge of Hope’ Became Purplegyo, 2007–2011
Sinan Purple Island refers to Banwoldo and Bakjido, located south of Anjwado, and is a space where three islands—including Duri on Anjwado—are connected by wooden footbridges over the sea. The wooden bridges built between 2007 and 2011 are said to have originated from the wish expressed by Mrs. Kim Mae-geum, a resident of Bakjido: “I want to walk to the mainland.” In February 2010, electricity, telephone lines, and tap water were connected to the two islands through conduits beneath the bridges.
Banwoldo and Bakjido began island regeneration after being selected for Jeollanam-do’s “Islands You Want to Visit” project in 2015. Based on the purple colors of balloon flowers and self-heal growing naturally on the two islands, along with seasonal plantings such as purple rapeseed, lavender, hydrangeas, and asters, the bridges, roofs, window frames, and other living facilities were unified in purple. Records also note that more than 200,000 purple plants bloom and fade from spring through early autumn.
A 1.842-km Circular Route Connecting Duri, Banwoldo, and Bakjido
When traveling by car, set “Purplegyo” or 257-35 Sogokduri-gil, Anjwa-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, as the destination. Duri has two ticket booths, one heading toward Banwoldo and the other toward Bakjido. The route most widely used from the parking lot is Duri → Dando → Banwoldo → Bakjido → Duri. Excluding the roads on the islands, the bridges have a combined length of 1.842 km.
By section, Moon Bridge connecting Duri, Dando, and Banwoldo is 380 m long; Purplegyo connecting Banwoldo and Bakjido is 915 m; and Purplegyo connecting Bakjido and Duri is 547 m. Allow 1–2 hours for a walk focused on the bridges, but walking both the 5.7-km coastal scenic trail on Banwoldo and the 4.2-km circular trail on Bakjido makes this a half-day itinerary. If extended walking is difficult, it is advisable to ask on-site in advance whether bicycles or electric carts are available for rent and whether they are operating that day.
09:00–18:00 from March to October, with Free Admission for Purple Belongings
Purple Island is open from 09:00 to 18:00 from March to October and from 09:00 to 17:00 from November to February. Admission is available until one hour before closing. The regular weekly closing day is Monday. The official information number is 061-240-8357, and the Sinan County Culture and Tourism representative number is 061-271-1004.
General admission is 5,000 won, admission for youths and military personnel is 3,000 won, and admission for children is 1,000 won. Patriots and veterans, Sinan County residents, people with disabilities, and preschool children may enter free of charge with an identification card or other proof. Visitors carrying purple items such as clothing, hats, umbrellas, or bags are also eligible for free admission. People whose registered name is “Bora” or who have purple-dyed hair are likewise listed as eligible, so it is safest to reconfirm the applicable criteria with the ticket booth before setting out.
Shoulder Mountain at 210 m and the Names of the Two Islands, Derived from a Half-Moon and a Gourd
Banwoldo was named for the island’s shape, which looks like a half-moon from every direction. It has two villages, Banwol and Toechon, that form a settlement of the Indong Jang clan. Eokkaesan, whose mountain contours are said to resemble a person’s shoulders, stands at 210 m above sea level, and the hiking section is described as approximately 1.9 km. To see the coastal scenery of tidal flats and tidal channels, include the inland paths of Banwoldo in your itinerary rather than simply walking back and forth across the bridges.
Bakjido was also called Bagiseom or Baegiseom because its shape resembles a gourd or a dipper, and local explanations say that the place name came from the first member of the Bak family who settled there. A 900-year-old well is featured near Bakjisan, and the circular trail around Bakjido is 4.2 km long. The peak flowering period—such as the lavender garden around June and the aster colony around September—varies with planting conditions and weather, so it is better to check the day’s conditions through Sinan County notices than to plan around a fixed flowering date.
How to Transfer from Mokpo Route 2004 to the Anjwa Village Bus
For public transportation, the recommended route is to take rural bus 2004 from Mokpo Comprehensive Bus Terminal to Eupdong Bus Stop in Anjwa, then transfer to the Anjwa village bus via Changma and Sogok and get off at Duri. According to older guidance, route 2004 from Mokpo to Anjwado ran 10 times a day, while the village bus from Eupdong to Duri ran about four times a day, so transfer waiting times may be long.
A taxi between Eupdong Bus Stop and Duri has previously been listed at approximately 9,000 won. However, bus schedules and taxi fares are highly subject to change, so be sure to reconfirm them with Sinan County or the transport operator on the day of departure. If arriving by car, park at Duri Parking Lot and follow the purple guide line on the ground to the start of Moon Bridge. This is the simplest route, and arriving early is advantageous on weekends and holidays.
Before Visiting with a Wheelchair or Stroller, Assess the 380-m Floating Bridge and Island Paths Separately
Purple Island has rest areas with benches, and bicycles and electric carts can be rented on Banwoldo and Bakjido. Electric carts that can accommodate four to five people are recommended for families, but the rental quantity, fees, and operating hours may vary depending on the season and on-site conditions. A nursing room is reportedly not available, so families with infants or young children should realistically plan for diaper changing and nursing using the vehicle or portable equipment.
Moon Bridge is a 380-m floating bridge that rises and falls with the tides, while Purplegyo is a wooden bridge. Wheelchair and stroller users should therefore consider the wind, waves, slopes at the connections, and movement of the floating bridge, and should ask the ticket booth about the day’s access conditions. The availability of permanent foreign-language guidance has not been confirmed, so bringing a map or translation app, water, and sun protection is recommended.
Regional Changes Following the 2021 UNWTO Selection as a Best Tourism Village
Purple Island was selected as a “Best Tourism Village” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2021 and was also included in the 2021–2022 list of Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions. Its significance lies not simply in creating color-themed photo spots, but in serving as an example of island regeneration that connected the living infrastructure of two islands formerly dependent on boats and linked residents’ living spaces with tourism.
The pedestrian connection between Banwoldo and Bakjido created a tourism route alongside improved mobility for residents and the supply of tap water. However, Purple Island centers on island paths exposed directly to wind and sunlight rather than indoor attractions. For travelers visiting on days of strong wind or rain, or for those who find extended walking difficult, a plan to walk back and forth only across the bridge sections is more suitable than completing the entire route. Before visiting, operating status can be checked on the official Banwoldo–Bakjido website and at 061-240-8357.
Before You Go
- Address
- 257-35 Sogokduri-gil, Anjwa-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do
- Hours
- 09:00–18:00 from March to October, 09:00–17:00 from November to February (admission closes one hour before closing)
- Closed
- Every Monday
- Admission
- General 5,000 won, youths and military personnel 3,000 won, children 1,000 won; certain visitors, including those carrying purple items, may enter free of charge
- Phone
- 061-240-8357
- Official site
- https://Banwoldo and Bakjido.com
- Transport
- Mokpo Comprehensive Bus Terminal rural bus 2004 → Eupdong Bus Stop in Anjwa → Anjwa village bus via Changma and Sogok → get off at Duri. Operating times may change, so advance confirmation is necessary.
- Parking
- Duri Parking Lot is reportedly available; early arrival is recommended on weekends and holidays
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for the bridge-centered circuit; half a day when including the Banwoldo and Bakjido circular trails
- Accessibility
- Benches and electric cart rentals are mentioned, but there is no nursing room. Since Moon Bridge is a 380-m floating bridge, wheelchair and stroller users are advised to check access conditions on the day.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official guidance again before visiting.
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