Mokpo
Mokpo is a southwest port city known for seafood, the honeycomb sandstone rock of Gatbawi and ferries to nearby islands.
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Mokpo is a port city at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula, where the Yeongsan River meets the Yellow Sea in South Jeolla province. It is the third-largest city in South Jeolla and is best known for seafood and its many islands. Yudal Mountain, about 228 m high, rises in the old downtown, and its rocky peaks give views of the islands at sunset.
Many Japanese colonial-era buildings survive in the old downtown. Mokpo opened as an open port on 1 October 1897, and Japanese settlers concentrated in Yudal-dong near the harbor. The former Japanese consulate now houses the Mokpo Modern History Museum. Gatbawi, a sandstone rock with honeycomb-like hollows, sits on the eastern shore near the Yeongsan River mouth. Spring brings a flower festival to Yudal Mountain in April and May, and October brings the Love Silver Hairtail Festival. Ferries from the city reach Heuksando, Hongdo, Jeju and islands of Sinan county.
Mokpo in five
- Ride the Honam Line to the terminusKTO describes the 252.5 km Honam Line from Seodaejeon to Mokpo, and says KTX and SRT also reach Mokpo. Confirm on Korail which train fits your day.Transport planning
- Walk the Gatbawi coastal walkwayKTO lists the walkway as free and open 05:00 to 24:00 in summer and 05:00 to 23:00 in winter, with access restricted in typhoons, heavy rain, snow or fog. The rock is two formations, about 8 m and 6 m tall.Gatbawi on VisitKorea
- Use the passenger terminal for Jeju and islandsKTO lists ferries from Mokpo to Jeju, Heuksando, Hongdo and Gageodo, about 15 minutes from Mokpo Station by city bus. A passport or ID is required, and the listed schedule is dated, so check the operator.Jeju-do travel guide
- Expect the new regional name on mapsKTO addresses for Mokpo now read Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. Search by the place name when navigating, since older signs and apps may use the former name.
- Pair Mokpo with Gwangju or JeonjuA Jeolla loop works better than a Mokpo-only trip: a mountain in Gwangju, hanok streets in Jeonju and the harbor here.Gwangju travel guide
Things to do in Mokpo
See all attractions in Mokpo
Need to know
- Getting there
- Honam Line KTX or SRT from Seoul; check Korail
- Getting around
- City buses and taxis; the ferry terminal is a short bus ride from the station
- Best base
- Near the station or harbor for ferry mornings
- Gatbawi walkway
- Free; 05:00 to 24:00 summer, 05:00 to 23:00 winter (KTO)
- Time needed
- Half a day, or 1 night before a ferry
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh6°Low1°Cold, dryJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dry
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh7°Low1°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Mild, fogMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fog
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Spring blossomsAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blossoms
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Mild, sea fogMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, sea fog
- JuneRain10 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Hot, humidJulyRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 260 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Hot, typhoonsAugustRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, typhoons
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Clear, mildSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, mild
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Autumn colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°CrispNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Crisp
- DecemberPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°ColdDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Mokpo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mokpo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Mokpo
05:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°11°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°13°38%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Thu18°13°97%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Fri16°9°0%Friday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat10°4°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun8°4°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 05:18 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Jejuferry from Mokpo; check the operatorA slow arrival by sea instead of a flight to the island.Read the guide
- Gwangjuup the Honam corridor; check KorailMudeungsan National Park, free and open all day.Read the guide
- Heuksando and other islandsferry from the passenger terminalKTO lists Heuksando, Hongdo and Gageodo sailings from Mokpo.
Before you go to Mokpo
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Rules for Mokpo, checked
- Gatbawi Rock Coastal Walkway: free; open 05:00 to 24:00 in summer and 05:00 to 23:00 in winter; access may be restricted in typhoon, heavy rain, snow or fog.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Honam Line: 252.5 km from Seodaejeon to Mokpo; KTX and SRT serve Mokpo, and ferries leave Mokpo for Jeju, Heuksando, Hongdo and Gageodo.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Mokpo
Cities, KTX routes and entry rules
Read the guideJeju-do travel guideHallasan, coasts and bases
Read the guideGwangju travel guideMudeungsan and the Honam Line
Read the guideJeonju travel guideHanok village and food
Read the guideSeoul travel guideWhere most Honam trips begin
Read the guideTrains and transportKTX, SRT and ferries
Read the guideMokpo FAQ
Is Mokpo worth visiting?
Yes as a half day at the end of a Honam rail trip or as the launch point for ferries to Jeju and islands. It is less of a destination on its own than Jeonju or Gwangju.
How do you get from Seoul to Mokpo?
By KTX or SRT on the Honam corridor, which KTO lists as serving Mokpo, or by express bus. Check Korail for the train and book weekend seats ahead.
Can you take a ferry from Mokpo to Jeju?
KTO lists ferries from Mokpo Port Passenger Terminal to Jeju, with a passport or ID required. Its schedule is from 2023, so confirm times and fares with the operator before planning around it.
What is Gatbawi?
A natural sandstone and tafoni formation near the mouth of the Yeongsangang River, named for two shapes said to resemble men in traditional hats. KTO says it was recognized as a Natural Monument in 2009.
How many days do you need in Mokpo?
Half a day covers Gatbawi and the harbor. Stay one night only if you have an early ferry, since sailings can be affected by weather.