Namhae Island

The "Treasure Island" of Korea's south coast, with terraced fishing villages, the German Village and sea views from Boriam Hermitage, a road-trip island linked to the mainland by bridges.

Namhae Island lies in southern Gyeongsangnam-do and is South Korea's fifth-largest island. Together with Changseondo Island it forms Namhae County, nicknamed the "Treasure Island." In the northwest, Namhae Bridge and Noryang Bridge connect it to Hadong, and in the northeast, the Changseon–Samcheonpo Bridge links it to Sacheon, so you can simply drive onto the island; Busan is about 2 hours away by car. Sights are scattered along the round-island road: Gacheon Darangi Village's terraced fields in the southwest; Boriam Hermitage on Geumsan Mountain and Sangju Eunmorae Beach in the south; Songjeong Beach, the Seolli Skywalk and Mijo Port in the southeast; the German Village, Namhae Garden Art Village and the Mulgeon-ri windbreak forest on the east coast; the American Village and the bamboo weir fisheries of Jijok Strait in the center; and at the northern tip, Noryang Strait, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin fell in battle. Mar–May is loveliest for cherry blossoms, canola flowers and the terraced fields; Oct–Nov brings the German Beer Festival and autumn foliage; and the beaches open in Jul–Aug. Getting there: long-distance buses run from Busan and Seoul to Namhae-eup, but buses on the island are sparse, so renting a car is strongly recommended. Allow 2–3 days to loop the island, or combine it with Yeosu–Suncheon and Tongyeong–Geoje for a south-coast road trip.

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