Travel Destinations: Mokpo, South Korea

South Korea is a wonderful destination for travellers to visit, with Seoul as the most popular city. However, there are other cities and towns that offer much to the tourist. One wonderful city to visit is Mokpo, located in the lower part of the peninsular.

Mokpo is an expansive port city, a great starting point for sea trips to Jejudo and the western islands of Dadohae Haesang National Park. Just visiting the port gives amazing sunset views.

The Gatbawi Park Museums is the first place to visit. It is a complex of museums and art galleries that are nestled in between rocky hillsides and a lovely river, located 4km northeast of the downtown area of the city.

The majestic four-storey atrium building known as Jeonsigwan, gives the viewer an amazing display of work from local artists. It showcases all different types of artistic works, from traditional ink pieces to the more modern splodges of paint to photographs of the art of bonsai trees.

The small National Maritime Museum showcases two shipwrecks which date from the 11th century and the early part of the 14th century. From these excavations, hoards of Korean and Chinese artefacts were discovered - coins, celadon and other items used for trade. The museum also gives fascinating film footage of the artefacts being salvaged.

The Local History Museum should be the next port of call. It holds a natural rock collection, a hobby that was popular in Joseon times where collectors would display unusual shaped rocks. The museum also showcases some gorgeous oil paintings from the 20th century artist, Oh Soong-woo.

The new Mokpo Natural History Museum is aimed at children, so if you are travelling with youngsters, this is a good place to bring them to. It boasts large dinosaur skeletons, fish, live lizards and bright dead butterflies. When the kids get hungry, take them to cafeteria to snack up.

If museums are not quite your thing, or you have had enough of them, then take a trip to Yudalsan Park. This place offers spectacular views of the island-scattered sea and the rocky cliffs. To reach here, from the train station walk down Jungangno to the park entrance; this takes about 20 minutes.

700m to the right, is the glass botanical garden. These gardens are home to some beautiful orchids and rare Korean flora. The sculpture park is nearby and offers some great pieces. Turn left before Soyojeong and you can head down to the beach. Although the beach is a tiny patch of sand, rocks and seaweed, the main attraction for coming here is for the amazing views.

Mokpo is not a destination that springs to mind when thinking of travelling to South Korea, but it is well worth a visit. It offers wonderful insights into the culture of the people and the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery.