Twelve Venus statues, harmoniously integrated into the planting, define the Venus Garden at Oedo-Botania. There is also a stretch of coast with calm, relatively shallow and warm water, a museum dedicated to fishing culture, and historic sites. When planning a stay in Geoje, you can choose from different focuses: beaches, maritime culture, gardens and trips to islands in the wider travel region.

Gujora Beach and the coast

Gujora Beach is located in Irun-myeon, within the municipality of Geoje. The water is relatively shallow and warm, and is also described as calm. The beach lies farther inland and is partly enclosed by the coastline. At 1.1 km long and 30 m wide, its dimensions give a concrete sense of its size.

Fishing culture at the museum

The Geoje Fishing Village Folk Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting Korea’s traditional maritime culture and fishing history. Exhibits include traditional fishing boats, fishing gear and everyday objects from Korean fishing villages. The exhibition is divided into the themes “Sea of Tradition,” “Sea of Life” and “Sea of Experience.” The museum also has an aquarium featuring rare fish species and a video room. This gives visitors another focus to choose from in Geoje besides the beach: a cultural experience that ranges from everyday objects to maritime traditions.

Gardens and architecture around Oedo-Botania

Oedo-Botania is located in the wider region around Geoje. The grounds cover 148,760 m² and are divided into Seodo Island and Dongdo Island. Their design is inspired by the gardens of Buckingham Palace. In the Venus Garden, twelve Venus statues are harmoniously integrated into the planting. The natural area covers 22,017 m²; 64 native plant species and more than 1,000 rare subtropical plant species from around the world grow there.

The “Stairway to Heaven” also calls for a distinction between past and present: it was originally created on former farmland with 3,000 mandarin orange trees and 8,000 cypress trees, intended to protect the area from strong sea winds. Today, it features various ornamental trees, including umbrella pines arranged like a carpet. A 300-year-old guardian tree stands at the second viewpoint, Hill of Love. Residents once held ceremonies there to ensure the village’s well-being and a good fishing season.

From the Venus Garden, the Lee House appears Mediterranean, but it is built in the traditional Korean style and divided into Anchae and Sarangchae. A lighthouse echoes the shape of Oedo Island; visitors can explore its maze-like interior. These architectural details add further themes to the plant life, each of which can be explored independently.

Trails, historic sites and island visits

In Gujora-ri, Irun-myeon, the Sound of the Breeze Path connects the Gujora Cruise Ship Dock with Gujora Fortress. The trail offers views of the coast, bamboo forests and villages. The fortress was built during the Joseon Dynasty to repel invasions and block the easterly wind. Visitors can also visit Haegeumgang, Naedo and Oedo on cruises. If you plan such a trip, check the schedule in advance.

Another regional excursion takes you to Jisimdo Island, east of Irun-myeon. The small island covers 0.338 km² and has a 3.5 km coastline. It is known for its old camellia trees, which have earned it the nickname “Dongbaek Island” (“Camellia Island”). The ferry from Jangseungpohang Port takes about 15 minutes, and exploring the entire island takes around two hours. Check the ferry schedule before planning your trip.

Choose your stay based on your interests

When looking for a hotel in Geoje, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: Gujora Beach for the coast, the museum for maritime culture, Oedo-Botania for gardens and architecture, or Jisimdo Island for an island visit. This way, your search starts with the experiences that interest you, while cruise and ferry schedules can be factored into your detailed planning.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Goseong, Tongyeong-Si, Yangsan-Si, Hamyang-gun, Changwon, Gimhae, Hapcheon-Gun, Daegu

Back to the main travel overview: Gyeongsangnam-Do.