//
City in North Gyeongsang, South Korea
Photo: Lsm8895, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pohang (포항(浦項)) is a major industrial city on South Korea's east coast in North Gyeongsang. It is well-known for Jukdo Market, one of the most popular fresh fish markets in Korea.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
At night POSCO turns the multicolored lights on, and the red-and-white-striped smokestacks turns into a show of all of the colors in the fluorescent rainbow.
Well beyond POSCO lies a small fishing village called Homigot. While the beaches in this town are too rocky to be considered viable for swimming, there is a work of art worth seeing; The Hands of Living Mutually or Hands of Harmony. This is a massive bronze sculpture of a hand stretching up from the water in a small cove. A second bronze hand of equal proportion stretches up from dry land on the other side of Homigot Sunrise Square. The hand in the water is worth seeing, particularly at sunrise. This particular cove's claim to fame is that it is the farthest point east in Korea (also referred to as the Tiger's Tail) so the sun rises here first. This charming place is a bit of an obscure tourist trap. Amateur photographers from all over the country come to shoot pictures of the sun rising through the fingers of the hand. Some bring expensive state-of-the-art equipment whilst many will merely whip out their cellphones and start shooting. This can be a crowded shoving match over the rocks and ocean. Some will even venture waist-deep into the water, holding their cellphones high, amidst squawking seagulls, to get a better shot of the bird-soiled sculpture. New Year's Eve is presumably the best time to visit the monument as there are fireworks and festivities that run until dawn (which is shortly after 07:30). The sight is also popular in the summer months, when temperatures are more agreeable. While there are hotels within an easy walk, some opt to sleep out on the square with a friend, a sleeping bag, some mosquito spray and a couple bottles of soju. The sun rises early in the summer (shortly after 05:00 in late June). Near the sculptures are a lighthouse and museum along with numerous tourist shops, seafood restaurants, peddler tents and the likes. The local-owned tourist shops can be immensely helpful when finding a place to stay or the next bus out. There are traditional squat toilets in the public restrooms nearest The Hands. Western-style toilets can be found at the restrooms outside the lighthouse museum nearby.
경상북도 수목원
There are 22 arboretums, which are largely divided into professional arboretum, theme garden, changpo garden, spire garden, and broadleaf garden. The theme garden is a place where flowers are planted in groups separated from each season so that flowers can be seen in four seasons. In Changpo Garden, Coniferous Garden, and Broad Leaf Garden, there are plants that fit each name.
At the Gurongpo Gwamegi Cultural Museum, you can learn about Gwamegi, a specialty of Pohang, such as the process of making Gwamegi and the Gwamegi industry. In addition to writing, you can actively feel Guryongpo Gwamegi as an exhibition and experience type.
기청산 식물원
A botanical garden that can be enjoyed outdoors; a place where endangered plants are preserved and multiplied.
덕동문화마을
A 300-year-old village where you can experience old games and enjoy the scenery of old Korean villages. Deokdong Folklore Exhibition Hall, which displays relics used in the past, is located inside. Between the village's reservoir and the valley, there is a pine forest designated and managed as a "beautiful village forest.". Experiences such as Seodang Education, Tea Ceremony, Hanok Accommodation, and Making Traditional Food are reserved for more than 20 people.
덕실 마을
Duksil Village is a historic village in Heunghae-eup, Pohang, known as the childhood home of former President Lee Myung-bak. The village has preserved old Korean rural architecture, wide yards, and signage/exhibits explaining his early life. It offers a peaceful, nostalgic stroll through village life and insight into modern Korean history.
Bogyeongsa Temple in Pohang is an old temple located in Naeyeonsan Mountain. It is beautiful because there is a valley around.
A place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of modern sabang projects in Korea. Sabang project refers to construction carried out to prevent natural disasters. There are three exhibition rooms that collect various materials and technical changes of the Sabang project, a multi-purpose video room, and outdoor facilities that reproduce the actual construction site.
It is an exhibition hall created to re-examine the achievements of the Saemaul Movement and promote the history of the Saemaul Movement. It is a place where many domestic and foreign officials visit every year to learn and check the contents of the Saemaul Movement. There are various events where you can experience Saemaul Movement here. If you want information about the event, please go to the homepage and check it out.
The Millennium Memorial Hall is located near Homigot and was built to commemorate the hosting of the sunrise event and to pray for the unification of Korea.
The Yeongil Folk Museum uses Jenamheon, a building from the Joseon Dynasty, as an exhibition room. It was built in 1835 and designated as a cultural property. In the exhibition room of Jenamheon, old agricultural equipment, ancient books, and earthenware are displayed, so you can look at the lives of the people in the past.
이가리닻 전망대
An anchor-shaped observatory facing Dokdo. The direct distance to Dokdo is about 251 km, which contains the people's desire to protect Dokdo. It is 102 m long and 10 m high, and is famous for its sunrise. It is near Igari Beach.
환호 공원
Completed in 2001. The park is divided into several themes, including high-tech science, marine culture, and sports. Landscape facilities such as a science museum, an outdoor park, and an artificial waterfall are established.
Hwanho Park's night view attraction. It is located near Yeongildae Beach. It is one of Pohang's landmarks. It is a work of architectural structures by German Heike Mutter and Ulrich Gentz. The track length is 333 m and the number of stairs is 717. The maximum number of people to experience is 150 at the same time. You can't use it if you're less than 110 cm tall. Access is restricted during strong winds and rain, so you need to check in advance.
양동마을/良洞마을
Yangdong should in no case be confused with the tourist trap "Gyeongju Folk Village". The village consists of estates and houses from the 15th and 16th century. The about 150 buildings are to a large part still inhabited. The main sights include the estates of Yi Hui-Tae (1733), Simsujeong (1560) and Hyangdam (1543). From Gyeongju there are many bus lines to Yangdong (more precise information available at the tourist office). After a 30-minute ride, you have to get off and follow the railway tracks for about a kilometer and a half. After the underpass one will arrive at the folk village in about 15 minutes.
Established in 1572, Oksan Seowon was one of Korea's most important Confucian schools. Contrary to many other Confucian schools it was spared the destruction of the 1860s, but not a fire in the early 19th century that left just 14 buildings standing. In the summer people are camping at the nearby river bank and bathing at the waterfall. One of the nine components of the world heritage site Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.
One of the last tombs built by the Silla dynasty and the one furthest away from Gyeongju. It is 4 km north of Angangri, about halfway between Oksan Seowon and Yangdong Folk Village.
송도해수욕장
Located in Songdo-dong, Songdo Beach sits directly across a small inlet from POSCO's steel mill. Though not popular for swimming, it often attracts windsurfers.
북부해수욕장
Located just north of downtown Pohang and across the bay from POSCO, Bukbu Beach is a popular (i.e. often crowded) summertime hangout. It is more popular than Songdo Beach for swimming, though the brown color and its proximity to POSCO keep many people out of the water. The International Fireworks Festival [http://eng.ipohang.org/home/eng/tourism/festivals_27/festival_27/page.wscms ] is held here every year in July.
칠포해수욕장
About 10 km north of the city. Clean water and good waves. Inner tubes are for rent (₩10,000).
월포해수욕장
4 km north of Chilpo Beach, Wolpo Beach is often less crowded. Inner tubes are for rent (₩10,000).
구룡포해수욕장
Guryongpo Beach is about 10 km east of the city. Though small, Guryongpo Beach has clear blue water that attracts snorkelers, and fishermen.
영일대 해수욕장
It is the largest beach on the east coast. be famous for the sunrise There are Yeongilgyo Bridge, a sea bridge, and Yeongildae, a sea pavilion. You can use the free beach parking lot to park. It provides facilities and services such as shower rooms, changing rooms, toilets, water supply stands, canteens and parasols. You can also experience marine leisure activities.
포항 스틸아트 페스티벌
This is a festival that combines the cultural codes of iron across the time and space of Pohang history with art and cultural activities, from the Yeonorang SeoNyeo Ilwol myth to POSCO's success myth. It is the world's only steel festival and consists of exhibitions of steel art works, experience programs, tour programs, and performance programs. Admission is free, but the experience program is partially charged.
칠포 재즈 페스티벌
It is a symbolic cultural festival in Pohang that started in 2007 and is held every year. Various jazz music stages such as swing, bebop, cool, free jazz, and rock jazz will be held. It is held on the outdoor special stage of Chilpo Beach, and the bathroom is located in the concert hall. The booth and fence are used to distinguish the outside from the concert hall. Wheelchairs are available. It is an entire audience.
환여횟집
Cold raw fish soup and spicy fish stew are delicious. It is near Yeongildae. Parking is available in front of the restaurant (paid) or in front of the Heian Cafe (free)/Yeongildae 2 parking lot (paid). You can order as to go.
유림식당
It is famous for Mori noodles. It consists of two types: standing and sitting, and you cannot order one serving. Break time from 15:00-16:00. Mori-noodles: It is a local food of Guryongpo-eup in Pohang. It originated from spicy noodles eaten by fishermen in Guryongpo-eup. It is seafood kalguksu boiled with fish, seafood, and bean sprouts. Generally, fish put anglerfish.
죽도시장
It is the largest traditional market in Pohang. It sells a variety of items such as marine products, dried fish, vegetables, fruits, clothing, and furniture. It is composed of various alleys such as a fish market area, agricultural product street, food alley, and rice cake restaurant alley. Parking is available in the nearby public parking lot. It is ₩5,000 for 20 minutes, and ₩200 will be added for every 10 minutes. The maximum parking fee per day is ₩7,000. Guamegi, snow crab, and kaljebi are recommended foods.
Two pool tables, electronic darts, secluded tables with couch seating, wraparound bar, big screen TVs and live music at times.
Small dive bar with long bench seat and three small tables, projection TV screen, wraparound bar.
Pool table, table seating, small bar.
주대포
Popular for cheap makkeolli (막걸리) and soju cocktails. Good food, seating for large groups.
Calls itself a "Vintage Pub" a title which belies its modern interior design and small drink selection. 50" flat screen TV, live music at times on the weekend. Happy hour (6pm ~ 8pm, everyday) buy-one-get-one-free specials. Excellent fish and chips (owner used to live in England).
Dance floor, weekend DJs that spin hip-hop and some rock music, two electronic dart boards, and an enclosed wrap-around bar.
Delicious chicken and fish menu, wooden tables and chairs, and large open windows. Excellent blended soju cocktails.
Best expat bar in town. Foreign-owned and operated bar and restaurant, wooden booths and tables, western menu (sandwiches, nachos, wings, burgers), cheap liquor, big screen TVs, Alley Kat on tap, Sunday brunch. Weekly drink specials.
Live music on weekends, projection TV screen, outdoor seating.
Large boat in the middle of the bar with seating for 6, wooden tables elsewhere.
Large projection TV screen, outdoor picnic tables, large group seating.
Small size jjimjjilbang compared to ones in Seoul and Busan. The wash and changing rooms are on the second floor and sleeping quarters are on the third floor. "Jjimjjilbang" is not written in Hangul on the building. Sleeping mats are few in number and are quite thin. There are wooden bricks to use as a pillow. Take bus #130 on the same side as the Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at 이동온천스포렉스 (Idongoncheonseuporekseu). Pay first at the counter on the main floor. You will receive pajamas and a receipt. Show the receipt in the changing room to receive your locker key and towels.
뷰호텔
Prices range from ₩70,000 to ₩90,000 per night for adults.
윈호텔
Prices range from ₩55,000 to ₩70,000 per night for adults.
더세븐 호텔
Prices start at ₩45,000 per night for adults.
포항 장미빵
Inspired by roses designated as urbanization in Pohang. It is about 4.5cm in diameter and is shaped like a rose. It contains various kinds of nuts, seeds, and cheese. It is a bread made by kneading glutinous rice and milk without using flour. It can be stored at room temperature for about three days. Alternatively, it can be stored in a freezer and eaten by heating it in a natural defrosting or microwave oven. Refrigeration is prohibited. You can buy it at 'Haessaldam' Bakery.
By plane
Pohang Airport (포항공항) lies about 10 km East of the city past Posco. Domestic flights only from Seoul Gimpo and Jeju island. To get there, take city bus 200 towards Guryongpo (구룡포).
By bus
By taxi
Taxis are relatively inexpensive as long as you are traveling within Pohang city limits.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Pohang · Regional · KPO
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Pohang and South Korea.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to South Korea travel requirements. Check K-ETA exemptions, application fees, arrival card rules, and Incheon transit procedures.
7 min read
ItinerariesExplore our Busan travel guide. Plan visits to Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Fish Market, and scenic Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
6 min read
Travel tipsCompare Korea transport cards: T-money, WOWPASS, and Climate Card. Learn costs, subway coverage, reload rules, and which card fits your stay best.
7 min read
ItinerariesDiscover the best places to visit in South Korea, from Seoul royal palaces and Busan coastal seafood stalls to ancient Gyeongju tombs and Jeju Island.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.