The Story of Admiral Yi Sun Sin

Pick up in the morning from your hotel, and the guide will start the tour with The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun Sin at the front of Gwanghwamun Square, in honor of the brave spirit and leadership of the Admiral. It is considered one of Seoul’s major landmarks and has been called ‘one of the most important instances of Korean public art’. If you walk around, you will meet the Story of Yi Sun Sin Museum building, a living history and culture space dedicated to Admiral Yi Sun Sin, for his great achievement during the Japanese Invasion of Korea.
We will continue to The War Memorial of Korea, which exhibits and preserves material related to the Korean War and serves as a national moral educational venue. There is a scaled-down Yi Sun Sin’s turtle ship replica, a type of large Korean warship that was used intermittently by the Royal Korean Navy during the Joseon dynasty.
And after that we will move to Ansan, to visit Tomb of Yi Sun Sin. At first, the tomb was made in Geumseongsan mountain of Asan-gun, but was moved 16 years later to its present location during the sixth year of the reign of King Gwanghaegun. Here also, a monument stands at the entrance of the tomb in commemoration of him.
From the Tomb of Yi Sun Sin, we will drive to Hyeonchungsa Shrine, displaying many relics of Yi, including Nanjung Ilgi (Yi’s war diary) and Imjin Jangcho (Yi’s war report). The old house where Yi spent his childhood and youth is preserved within this shrine.
After lunch, we will drive to Tongyeong, (around 3h15 drive) to reach a single-hanok house, Inner Stay, for check-in. Rest and dinner at the hanok.

After breakfast, we start the day with Chungnyeolsa Shrine, which possesses the monument of Yi and twenty nine gravestones of later naval commanders. It is also known as the depository of the eight presents to Yi from the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (National Treasure). The shrine was designated as Historical Site in 1973.
We continue to Yi Sun Sin Park, where a bronze statue of Great Admiral Yi Sun Sin stands facing the sea of Hansando. The view of the sea is magnificent from the small trail that lies along the coastline between the beach and a beautiful forest. This park displays also some parts of Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s famous ‘turtle ship’.
We continue to Jeseungdang Shrine and Archery Ground in Hansando (30mn by ferry). Jeseungdang Shrine was the site of the head office where Yi Sun Sin discussed naval tactics and strategies with his generals. And the archery field in Hansanjeong Pavillion is the only archery field in Korea with water between the archer and the target. The design shows how creative Admiral Yi Sun Sin was. He reckoned that it was much harder to hit a target over water than on land due to the difficulty in judging distance. After lunch, we will move to neighbor city, Geoje, to visit Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park. The so-called Battle of Okpo was the first victory of the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1952, and it served as an opportunity to develop the war situation in an advantageous way. In order to commemorate the Battle of Okpo, a 30-meter high memorial monument and exhibition was built here.
We end the day in Namhae and check in for the night in a hanok, where dinner will be served.

After breakfast, we start the day with Yi Sun Sin Memorial Park, a memorial built on the site where Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s coffin was first brought to the mainland. There are 3 main exhibition halls within the Exhibit Building, each dedicated to a different historical aspect of Yi Sun Sin. After the visit, we move to Iraksa Shrine, where a monument and pavilion to cherish the memory of Admiral Yi were erected. Iraksa Shrine and the sea in front of Gwaneumpo are the actual places where the disaster of war was overcome as well as the place that commemorates the merit and loyal spirit of Yi Sun Sin.
Next, we move to Namhae Chungnyeolsa Shrine, an ancestral shrine built to honor the loyalty and spirit of Admiral Yi Sun Sin who died for this country in the naval battle at Noryang in the last year of the Japanese Invasion in 1592. It used the same tablet reading “Chungyeol” as the Chungnyeolsa of Tongyeong had from the beginning. The admiral’s body was honored here temporarily after he died in the battle.
After lunch, we will move to another city, Yeosu. On the way we stop at Jinnamgwan, a place where Admiral Yi Sun Sin commanded his forces during Imjin War. The original building burned down near the end of the war, and Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s successor, Yi Si Eon, constructed Jinnamgwan Hall. From Jinnamgwan, we finish the day with a visit of Yeochon Seonso - the remains of the shipbuilding site from the Goryeo Dynasty to Joseon Dynasty. This ship building site is known as the shipyard where Admiral Yi Sun Sin built Geobukson (turtle-shaped battleships).
We reach Haenam and check-in at another beautiful hanok for the night and dinner.

After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to Myeongnyang Battle Park and its monument, established in honor of the decisive victory achieved during the Battle of Myeongnyang. The Korean navy under Yi Sun Sin won a great victory in the Myeongnyang Strait over hundreds of Japanese ships with only thirteen Korean battleships. This monument was designated as a National Treasure in 1969.Next, we move to visit Myeongnyang Battle Park – built to commemorate the great victory of Admiral Yi Sun Sin as one of the three major naval battles. We continue to the Jindo Bridge and monument, a popular tourist attraction since its completion on Oct 18, 1984. Guests can take in stunning sunset vistas and panoramic evening views, surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape nearby. Last, we stop at the Chungmusa Shrine – Yi Sun Sin was laid here for about 80 days after his death at the battle of Noryang and services have been held every year on Yi Sun Sin’s Anniversary on April 28 and his patriotic death on November 19.
We drive back to Gwangju airport to catch your flight to Jeju island. Once you have arrived at the airport you will have a transfer prepared for you to take you to your hotel by taxi. Relax in the afternoon and take a walk around your accommodation on the Hamdeok Beach coastline. Located on the north coast of Jeju Island, Hamdeok Beach charms with its crystal-clear waters, immaculate white sand, and family-friendly atmosphere thanks to its shallow, calm waters. You will have the rest of the day to do as you please.

In the morning, a taxi will pick you up directly from your accommodation to take you to the east coast of Jeju. At Seopjikoji, you will discover volcanic cliffs plunging into the ocean, vast flower fields that change with the seasons, and an iconic lighthouse overlooking the sea. Not far away stands Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, a UNESCO-listed crater renowned for its exceptional views, especially at sunrise. Together, these sites make up one of the island's most beautiful walks that you will take, where the sparkling sea, verdant hills, and play of light create unforgettable landscapes. Once you have completed the hike, you will return back to your hotel by taxi in the late afternoon.

Start your day with an early morning departure from your accommodation to hike The Gwaneumsa trail, one of the most picturesque routes around Mount Hallasan. The hike will last around four to five hours, this medium-level hike begins at Gwaneumsa Temple and leads through pine forests, volcanic landscapes, and spectacular views of Jeju. Less crowded than other trails, it offers total immersion in the island's wild nature, with dense vegetation and stunning mountain views. An excellent choice for hiking enthusiasts seeking tranquility and beauty. After the hike you will be able to head back to your hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

For this day, you will be accompanied by a driver-guide who will pick you up directly from your accommodation to explore the beauty of southern Jeju's coastline. You will start at Yongmeori Beach, in the south of Jeju Island, where the volcanic rock cliffs, sculpted by the ocean, offer a spectacle that is both splendid and emblematic of the island. The site also offers a view of Mount Sanbangsan, whose silhouette resembling a dragon's head inspired the beach's name. Your driver-guide will then take you along the Seogwipo coast to discover Jeju's natural treasures. Once you have uncovered all of the shoreline’s treasures you will be brought back to your stay in the late afternoon.

After your breakfast, prepare to check out so you are ready for the taxi that will pick you up from your accommodation to take you to Jeju Airport for your flight to Seoul.

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