Located in Munnaemyeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do — with Jindo Bridge visible in the distance — Usu-yeong Tourist Park is more than an ordinary park. The strait just offshore, Uldolmok, is the actual battleground where Admiral Yi Sun-sin turned the tide of war on the 16th day of the 9th lunar month in 1597, defeating a fleet of 133 Japanese warships with just 13 ships of his own — the Battle of Myeongnyang. To preserve that history, the site was designated a national tourist area in 1986 and developed into a memorial park in 1990. Visiting in October, when autumn foliage and sea winds arrive together, offers a rare chance to experience history and nature at the same time.
Why October
Along the southwestern coast of Jeollanam-do, autumn colors generally peak between late October and early November. At Usu-yeong Tourist Park, the trees within the park begin to turn during this period, giving the walking paths a noticeably different atmosphere. With the summer festival crowds gone and the weather pleasantly cool, October is an ideal time to stroll quietly and take in the historical setting. If you want to be somewhere other than a crowded autumn foliage mountain — somewhere you can have the sea beside you while reflecting on history — this park makes for an unexpected but rewarding choice.
What to See and Do
The centerpiece of the park is the Uldolmok Skywalk. Walking out over the water on its transparent-floored sections, you can look straight down at the fierce current rushing below. Uldolmok is one of Korea's fastest tidal straits, with an average current of 10 knots (approximately 18 km/h). Knowing that Admiral Yi used these very waters to reverse the course of a battle makes the experience of walking the skywalk feel altogether different.
Within the park, the Naval Battle History Memorial Exhibition Hall and relics related to the Myeongnyang Daecheop Monument (명량대첩비) give visitors who want to explore the history more deeply plenty to engage with. The Usu-yeong area is also home to Usu-yeong Ganggangsullae, a traditional communal dance recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making the village itself feel like a living piece of history.
The Myeongnyang Maritime Cable Car offers an additional experience: crossing over the Uldolmok Strait through the air, traveling from Haenam to Jindo. Cable car passengers can enter the tourist park without paying a separate admission fee, so it is worth factoring that into your itinerary.
Getting There and Visitor Information
Usu-yeong Tourist Park is located at 1021 Hakdong-ri, Munnaemyeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do. A private vehicle is more convenient than public transport; it is roughly a 30-minute drive from Haenam-eup. The site is also close enough for a day trip from Mokpo or Gwangju.
The park is open 09:00–18:00. Adult admission is ₩2,000, which includes access to the Uldolmok Skywalk — straightforward value for what is on offer.
Tips Worth Knowing
On October weekends the park can get busy, so arriving early in the morning and visiting the Skywalk and exhibition hall first will make for a more relaxed experience. The strength of the Uldolmok current varies with the tidal cycle, so checking a tidal forecast before you visit can help you catch the most dramatic flow. The park grounds are largely flat, making the route manageable for families with children. If you are already in Haenam, combining the visit with nearby Ttangkkeut Village (땅끝마을) or Daeheungsa Temple for an overnight, two-day itinerary is well worth considering.
