Korean Port City: Mokpo

I’m not a huge fan of big cities because they feel a bit stifling to me, but living in the southern part of Korea there is still plenty of nature nearby that is easily accessible. Mokpo being one of them

Mokpo is a port city that is filled with much history despite its smaller size. In the past couple centuries it has gone through occupations and uprising while being nestled on the side of a mountain overlooking the western islands. Walking down its streets you can tell by the archistructure the carrying history that Mokpo has gone through. 

My first visit to the port city I visited Mokpo Modern History Museum, which had many educational displays and information showing the change of Mokpo and the background it had gone through, especially during the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. It gave a deeper understanding to why Mokpo was such an important part not only as a port but also to the people living there after all the city had experienced.

Besides the various museums and historical sites throughout the city, Mokpo there are a variety of cafes with cute town vibes or ocean views. Korea loves their cafes and the chill vibe of the city makes Mopko one of the cities where chilling in a cafe makes it just as relaxing a trip as going all over and seeing the sites. Some of the cafes offer views of the sea or the mountain, which if you want views overlooking the city there’s a few “hikes” in the area (but be warned they are basically 99% stairs.) You can also go up to the cable car and ride across to the small island across from the city, where there is a bright orange building made out of storage containers with a cafe and museum display and observatory (very distinguished and hard to miss). 

 

And of course there is the evening view. Sunset over water is so pretty, and there is a “sunset park” to view the the setting sun with island mountains dotting the horizon as boats sail about.