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 Yi Sun Sin Museum building, a living history and culture space dedicated to Admiral Yi Sun Sin, for his great achievement during the Japanese invasions of Korea.
The tour proceeds to the War Memorial of Korea, a powerful historical site that safeguards artifacts from the Korean War and serves to educate future generations. Here, visitors can view a scaled model of the iconic Yi Sun Sin turtle ship, a formidable war vessel used by the Royal Korean Navy during the Joseon era. The journey continues to Ansan, where we’ll pay respects at the Tomb of Yi Sun Sin.
Leaving the Tomb of Yi Sun Sin, we head to Hyeonchungsa Shrine, where an impressive collection of personal items and historical records—such as Nanjung Ilgi, his wartime journal, and Imjin Jangcho, his detailed military reports—are on display. The shrine also preserves the house where Yi Sun Sin spent his early years.
After enjoying lunch, we’ll travel approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes to Tongyeong, where you’ll settle into Inner Stay, a tranquil hanok retreat.

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 Sun Sin from the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (National Treasure). The shrine was designated as a Historical Site in 1973.
We continue to Yi Sun Sin Park, where a bronze statue of immortal 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 Yi Sun Sin’s turtle ship. We continue to Jeseungdang Shrine and the unique Archery Ground on Hansando Island, just a 30-minute ferry ride away. Historically, Jeseungdang served as the main command center where Yi Sun Sin met with his generals to devise naval strategies. The nearby archery range at Hansanjeong Pavilion is the only one in Korea where water lies between the shooter and the target—a rare design that reflects Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s ingenuity. He believed that aiming across water posed a greater challenge due to the difficulty in gauging distance, making training more precise and effective.
After lunch, we will move to the neighboring city, Geoje, to visit Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park. The so-called Battle of Okpo was the first victory during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, 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 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 Admiral Yi Sun Sin. After the visit, we move to Iraksa Shrine, where a monument and pavilion to cherish the memory of 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 immortal 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. This shrine bears the same commemorative tablet inscribed with “Chungyeol” that was originally used at the Chungnyeolsa in Tongyeong. The remains of the admiral were respectfully placed here for a short period following his death in 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 the Imjin War. The original building burned down near the end of the war, and Yi Sun Sin’s successor, Yi Si Eon, constructed Jinnamgwan Hall. From Jinnamgwan, we finish the day with a visit to Yeochon Seonso – the remains of the shipbuilding site from the Goryeo Dynasty to Joseon Dynasty. This shipbuilding site is known as the shipyard where 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 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 Seoul and drop you in town/airport to continue your trip.