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County in Yeongnam, South Korea
Photo: KMJ0521, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Goseong (고성, 固城) is a coastal county in South Gyeongsang province in South Korea, best known for the dinosaur footprints preserved in the rocks along its shoreline. It also has the royal tombs of an ancient Gaya kingdom, a quiet village of old stone walls, and seafood from the calm bays of the south coast.
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상족암군립공원
It is a county park located on the coast of Deokmyeong-ri, Hai-myeon. Sangjokam Beach belongs to Hallyeohaesang National Park, and Namildae Beach is nearby. The dinosaur's footprints remain clear, so it's fun to watch while taking a walk.
고성공룡박물관
Korea's first museum dedicated to dinosaurs, built around the fossilized dinosaur footprints found along the nearby coastline. The four-story building houses five exhibition halls and a video room covering the region's paleontological history.
당항포관광지
Opened in 1987 on the bay where Admiral Yi Sun-sin won the Battle of Danghangpo, this waterfront park is the main venue of the Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo, Korea's first natural history expo. Facilities include marine leisure activities, pensions and an auto-camping site.
동화 어촌체험마을
A working fishing village where visitors can dig for clams on the tidal flats, join a torch-lit outing to catch octopus and live prawns, gather sea snails (godung), or go out on a small motorized fishing boat, in addition to walking a coastal trail. Nearby Mongdol Beach offers a range of marine life and views over Hallyeosudo (Hallyeo Waterway). In the middle of the village stand the remains of Soeulbipo Fortress (소을비포성), a supply base for Admiral Yi Sun-sin's navy during the Imjin War. Longer fishing trips further offshore can also be arranged by boat.
고성 송학동 고분군
Grassy burial mounds of the rulers of Sogaya, one of the Gaya states, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 as part of the Gaya Tumuli. The neighboring Goseong Museum displays objects excavated here.
고성 박물관
Starting with the Sogaya Antiquities Exhibition Hall, it is named the Goseong Museum, promoting the history and cultural properties of Goseong. It also delivers detailed historical information of Goseong through special exhibitions.
고성탈박물관
Opened in 2005 and registered as a specialized museum in 2014, this museum displays over 300 traditional Korean masks from across the country, alongside special exhibits on Goseong Ogwangdae, the local mask-dance drama recognized as a National Intangible Heritage. A hands-on experience room lets visitors try mask-making.
옥천사
Founded in 670 by the monk Uisang, this temple sits on the northern slope of Mt. Yeonhwa inside Yeonhwasan Provincial Park. Its main hall (Daeungjeon) is a Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage.
고성 학동마을 옛 담장
A village founded by the Choe clan around 1670, known for lanes lined with walls of thin flat stones layered with clay. Several old family houses survive, and bamboo groves surround the village. Free parking.
그레이스가든
Dongsan Gracejeongwon, opened on June 25, 2020. During 15 years, various kinds of trees were planted. It's a unique beautiful garden. Keep your admission ticket — showing it at the on-site café gets you a free drink. A valid ID or other proof is required for any discounted or free admission (child, senior, disability, national merit, or Goseong-gun resident); without it, the standard rate applies.
만화방초
A privately run garden with walking paths through flowerbeds and woodland, kept close to its natural state.
고성 장산 숲
A small grove of old zelkova and other broadleaf trees around a pond, planted in the Joseon era to shelter the village. Now a provincial monument, it makes a shady spot for a short stroll.
공룡타조랜드
A large ranch where visitors can see and feed ostriches and other farm animals; popular with families.
연화산도립공원
Forest trails and deep valleys lead to the peaks of Mt. Yeonhwa (524 m), named for its resemblance to a lotus flower. Trails start near Okcheonsa Temple; free parking.
고성오광대전수회관
Home of Goseong Ogwangdae, a satirical masked dance drama recognized as a National Intangible Heritage. Performances and hands-on mask-dance programs are held here; contact the center for the current schedule. The Goseong Mask Museum is nearby.
CGV고성
A small, county-operated cinema run on consignment with CGV — the only movie theater in Goseong-gun. Two screens, opened October 2020.
참좋은식당
You can taste healthy Korean food with a new menu every day.
왕창이
Enjoy the taste of gochujang bulgogi from a famous family that has been running since the mid-1990s. You can enjoy the taste and cost-effectiveness at the same time.
짜장박사
It is a delicious Chinese restaurant selected as a model restaurant in Korea. Jajangmyeon and jjamppong are the main menus, and kkansho shrimp is a delicacy.
수라한정식
It's a Korean food restaurant. You can enjoy delicious meals with various side dishes.
풍년옥
A local favorite for kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), including versions with scallops or battered pan-fried meat, featured on KBS1's "Korean Table" (한국인의 밥상) in December 2021.
본토대가
You can experience dishes made with famous snow crab and scallops in Goseong. Enjoy special dishes that can only be enjoyed in Korea.
공룡고기새우
You can taste special dinosaur shrimp in Goseong. It is also a restaurant where you can taste domestic meat with shrimp and meat.
섬진강민물장어
You can taste fresh freshwater eel, and you can taste a different taste of eel through grilled salt as well as deodeok seasoning.
바닷가에햇살한스푼
It is a restaurant certified by the Naples Pizza Artisan Association. Enjoy luxurious food with the beautiful sea of Goseong.
듕가리 카페
A panoramic-view cafe inside the Goseong Dinosaur Museum complex overlooking Jaran Bay, accessible without paying museum admission. Try the dinosaur-shaped cookie or the waffle.
고옥정
A two-story hanok-style bakery cafe with ocean-view outdoor seating overlooking the coast, popular for photos. Serves coffee (including cream coffee, black sesame latte, matcha latte) and baked goods.
고성 로얄 마리나앤리조트
Enjoy the exclusive pool villa and luxury resort. There is also an exclusive yacht experience.
오션포레
Enjoy glamping at Gyeongsangnam-do's largest glamping site.
오션스파호텔
You can see the sea from all the rooms. Look at the lake-like sea and find peace in your mind.
공룡펜션
Dinosaur Museum and Sangjokam County Park are located in front of the pension, which is good for sightseeing.
고성시장
The county's main market, selling fresh seafood from the south coast along with local produce and Goseong rice. Busiest on market days.
By train
Goseong has no railway station. The nearest stations with KTX service are Jinju Station in Jinju and Masan Station in Changwon; from either city, take an intercity bus to Goseong Bus Terminal.
By bus
During the Dinosaur Expo, a direct bus runs from Changwon to Danghangpo.
By car
Goseong-gun lies on the Tongyeong–Daejeon Expressway, between Jinju and Tongyeong. The Goseong IC exit, between the Donggoseong IC and Yeonhwasan IC exits, serves the county seat (Goseong-eup).
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