City in South Gyeongsang, South Korea
Photo: Paul Evans - User: (WT-shared) Snave at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Geoje (거제, 巨濟, also Geoje-do, pronounced "Go-je"), formerly romanised as Koje, is an island in South Gyeongsang province, South Korea. The key attraction of the island is its natural coastal beauty. Outside of the two cities it is a near-endless series of calm blue beached coves and sheer pine-forested grey cliffs overlooking the sea.
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해금강
Designated "Korean National Scenic Site #2, this is a must-see location. Essentially just a locally famed island consisting of tall cliffs. However, the ferry cruise around the island will thread its way through the extremely thin cliffs leading into the island into a sea cave before backing out and departing through different route. Spectacular. Round-trip 3-hour cruises including both Haegeumgang and a 3½-hour stopover on Oedo from Jangseungpo.
외도
Typically included in cruises to Haegumgang, this is Korea's first privately owned island and host to the Oedo Botanica. It's somewhat of a cross between a botanical garden and one of East Asia's infamous "country-themed theme parks" and designed to make you think you're somewhere in the Mediterranean. Beautifully landscaped and covered with Greco-Roman statues. It's a bit prettier than the brochure describes as the gardens follow a tight valley surrounded by sheer cliffs. Take a detour to the bathroom as the off-the-path views from outside a couple of them are among the best on the island. Conceived by a couple that crossed the 38th parallel after the war quite literally penniless. Worth the trip and has a restaurant and coffee shop at the highest point that mostly only serves tea (Udon ₩4000, coffee ₩4000, tea ₩2500).
It is also called Dongbaek Island because camellia trees occupy 60-70% of the island's total area. It is located 6km east of Jiseong Island. During the reign of King Hyeonjong in the Joseon Dynasty, 15 generations of residents migrated and lived, and during the Japanese colonial period, a Japanese company was stationed as a military fortress until just before liberation. From a distance, it resembles the shape of a warship and a high sea fog developed on the southern coast. Ships operate three times a day at Jangseungpo Port.
A war memorial for the 1592-1593 naval battle against the Japanese. Next door lies a shrine to Admiral Yi who lead the Korean forces to victory, plus a small museum explaining the details of the war and Korean naval strategies. English explanations exist, although when browsing try to keep count of how often you read extremely biased language (answer: a lot).
바람의 언덕과 신선대
A picturesque cliff side hill with a windmill on one side and a bunch of purple-green cliffs you can climb down on to on the other side. There is also a Theme Museum here. The themes are "Korean modern life" and "European decorative art" (aka mannequins of pirates). The intercity buses to Tongyeong and Masan depart from here.
Maemi fortress
Maemiseong (Korean: 매미성, lit. Maemi Fortress) is a privately built stone fortress in Jangmok-myeon. It was created by a local resident, Park Myeong-jong, who began stacking stones after Typhoon Maemi struck the southern coast in 2003 and caused severe damage. The name of the structure derives from the typhoon itself.
The fortress is notable for its resemblance to a medieval European castle, featuring stone walls, towers, and ramparts. It was constructed without professional equipment or architectural expertise, relying solely on individual effort over many years. Perched on a hillside, Maemiseong offers panoramic views of the sea and has become a distinctive attraction in Geoje. Visitors are drawn to the site not only for its unusual architecture but also for its scenic setting, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
Maemiseong is open to the public year-round without fixed opening hours or admission fees. It is especially popular among photographers and tourists seeking a unique backdrop, and it is often visited together with other nearby destinations such as Geoga Bridge, Windy Hill, and Oedo Botania.
The fortress is open year-round, 24 hours a day, with no admission fee, making it an accessible destination at any time.
Beyond its role as a sightseeing spot, Maemiseong carries symbolic meaning. It represents resilience and determination in the aftermath of natural disaster, standing as a local landmark that embodies perseverance and hope.
It is a comprehensive cultural facility that opened in 2003 and serves as a hub for local arts and culture. Equipped with a grand theater, small theater, exhibition halls, and rehearsal rooms, it offers a wide range of programs including performances, exhibitions, and educational activities. The building’s design, inspired by a sailing ship overlooking Jangseungpo Port, reflects both regional identity and architectural symbolism. Operated by the Geoje Cultural Foundation, it provides high-quality cultural experiences for both citizens and visitors. Especially through participatory programs like the Arts Academy, it plays a key role in expanding cultural engagement in the region.
Just a rocky pebble beach.
A very small sand beach just outside Okpo.
A pair of large sand beaches overlooking some pine-covered islets. Gujora town is rather interesting too as the locals have undertaken a project to paint art on every wall in the town yielding rather pretty results.
Recommended by locals and heavily marketed hotel in Okpo.
Family (or group) friendly guest house across the road from Wahyeon Beach.
It is a specialty of Geoje, a citrus fruit with a cultivation history of more than 400 years. Thanks to the mild maritime climate and abundant sunshine, Geoje’s yuzu is known for its rich aroma and well-balanced sweet and sour taste, as well as its high vitamin C content. It is most commonly enjoyed as yuzu tea made with honey or sugar, but is also used in dressings, sauces, jams, candies, and other processed foods. During the autumn harvest season, the fragrant scent of yuzu spreads across the island, making it not only an important source of income for local farmers but also one of Geoje’s representative specialties.
By air
There is no airport in Geoje, although Gimhae International Airport (PUS) is closer than Busan. Flying into Gimhae from the south (e.g. Hong Kong, Shanghai) provides great aerial views of Geoje.
By bus
Buses leave approximately half-hourly from the Busan Seobu bus terminal and take 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Okpo via the new bridge (in reality it's actually a bit shorter) for ₩9000 (as 9f 2025).
By ferry
The coast of Geoje is littered with ports, but all ferry services to and from Busan have been discontinued due to the convenience of the new Expressway, and most people now drive or take a bus.
By car
Private cars can take the toll expressway(₩10,000 will be charged) from Busan to Geoje.
By bus
Geoje has an extensive local "inner-city" (cough) public bus service catering towards locals. For tourists, it is a disaster, plain and simple.
By ferry
Many of Geoje's attractions are located on smaller island and islets just off the coast so ferry usage is mandatory to get to them.
On foot
With settlements spaced approximately 5–20 km apart, walking between individual attractions would mostly be a foolish endeavor.
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