On our way home from Tongyeong, we stopped at Yi Sun-sin Park Tongyeong on Hansan Island’s doorstep, and skipping it would have been a mistake. This hillside park honoring Admiral Yi Sun-sin pairs serious history with some of the best sea views on the south coast.
Climbing to the view
The park sits high, and like much of Tongyeong, the paths feel like a light hike. Vendors sell cotton candy and hot dogs near the entrance, and palm trees line the climb.
From the top, the view over the water is stunning. The statue of Admiral Yi in the distance brought the Battle of Hansan to mind at once.
The admiral himself
The bronze statue of Yi Sun-sin, my favorite figure in Korean history, stands where green hills meet the blue sea.
My husband scrambled down to the rocky shore to pick up shells and brought back pretty wildflowers while I waited, not trusting the slippery rocks.
Turtle ship yuja bread
Before leaving, we bought turtle ship-shaped yuja bread at the gift shop. It beat the famous honey bread for us: fragrant yuja cream, not greasy at all.
The drive back to Seoul took five hours, and the cloudy weather was a pity, but Yi Sun-sin Park Tongyeong was a fine finale to the trip.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in August 2016 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.