Global Pohang

Pohang is a city of about 500,000 people located on the east coast of Korea.  Pohang's Yeongil Bay Port allows the city to be involved in international trade.  Hence the catch phrase "Global Pohang".   The main industry in the town is dominated by POSCO, a major steel manufacturer with an enormous factory sitting right on the edge of the ocean.  Also, Pohang boasts 7 beaches and a yearly summer fireworks festival at Bukbu Beach.

Having never been to Pohang before, I was eager to learn more about it.  I started my trip from Daegu on a Friday morning.  I made it to the bus terminal and boarded my bus at 11am.  The bus ride cost about 8,000 Won and took 1 hour.  From Daegu you get to ride along the Pohang Expressway which runs parallel to a wide and very long valley that is used primarily for farming.  If you are traveling during the day, you will get a chance to see this beautiful and, in Korea, rare open space.

Upon arriving at the Pohang city bus terminal at noon, I proceeded directly to the tourist information booth to pick up maps and get some advice on buses I needed to use.  It turned out that the two women working that day didn't speak English, but since I was only looking for bus numbers I used the opportunity to practice Korean.  If there is ever a time when I am absolutely in need of English assistance, I will call the Korea Tourism hotline phone number (1330) where I know I can get English travel help.

My first goal in Pohang was to see the big hand statue coming out of the ocean at Homigot Tourist Park I had seen in pictures.  This was the only attraction in Pohang I new about before heading there.  

To get to Homigot Tourist Park I got on bus #200 from in front of the city bus terminal and about 30 minutes later I arrived at a transfer station at Guryongpo to get on a second bus.  To my dismay I had to wait 45 minutes for the next bus to my destination.  This is because the buses from the transfer station to Homigot Tourist Park run once every hour.  A fact I wish I had known earlier.  I advise calling information to get the precise bus schedule to and from the park before going on your trip.

Another 15 minute bus ride and I made it to the park.  I quickly hopped off the bus and made my way to the big hand in the ocean.  The hand statue is interesting in an artsy kind of way.  I also liked the two murals painted on a performance pavilion; one is of the hand statue and one of a tiger.  I read on the internet that the Korean peninsula is traditionally viewed as having the shape of a tiger, and Korea's tallest lighthouse is located where the tiger's tail would be, so the name of the area, Homigot, actually means "The Tiger's Tail Port".

My second destination was a beach called Bukbu Beach.  The tourist map I had said this is where to go to eat seafood.  I took a taxi from the city bus terminal for about 7,000 Won and made it there an hour before sunset.  Bukbu Beach is kind of odd looking, because it is really flat and wide.  It almost looks fake, as if it was man made through reclaimed land.  

There were no waves and the water was less than waist high going out 25 meters or so from the shore.  A couple people walked into the water, but nobody was swimming, and I wouldn't swim there because the dominant view from Bukbu Beach is the POSCO steel factory which makes me feel that the water may not be clean.

There is a giant water fountain in the ocean that sprays a huge tower of water into the air every 30 minutes or so.  At night the fountain is colored by lights giving those on the beach something interesting to look at.  That's what I did while trying a bottle of makgeolli, traditional Korean rice wine, which was produced in Pohang.  As a makgeolli drinker, I can recommend Pohang Makgeolli.

Afterwards I walked around looking for a seafood place to eat.  I found a few grilled shellfish restaurants, and makchang gui (grilled large pork intestines) restaurants.  I prefer makchang gui, so that's where I went.  Dinner cost 14,000 Won for a double serving of makchang gui, a bowl of rice, and a big bottle of beer.

After dinner I found my way to a jjimjilbang called Jungang Oncheon located just minutes away from Bukbu Beach by taxi.  For 7,000 Won I went in, put my things in a locker, showered, and found a place on the floor to sleep.  

Saturday morning came and I found my way back to the city bus terminal where I first arrived.  I was able to get on a bus to Naeyeonsan (mountain) one hour away which has Bogyeongsa Temple, and 12 water falls along its trails.  To get to Naeyeonsan from the bus terminal, cross the street and get on bus #500.  When the bus gets to Cheongha (last stop), transfer to the bus that goes to Bogyeongsa Temple.  If you are lucky, you may get on one of the three buses each day that go all the way to Bogyeongsa Temple.

Bogyeongsa temple is pretty small and not distinguished.  The real treat for me was hiking around and checking out the falls.  I didn't have enough time to see all of the falls because didn't get to the mountain until 12:30pm, but the falls I saw were interesting enough to warrant another trip and an earlier start time for hiking.  One thing I learned that's worth working into your travel plan is the fact that the last bus leaving Naeyeongsan departs at 5:45pm.  So if you want a full day of hiking, be sure to get there early.

From the city bus terminal I took a taxi to the express bus terminal and bought a ticket to Seoul.  The ticket cost about 40,000 Won and the ride took 4 hours.  Buses run until midnight.

Sitting at my desk and looking back, I didn't manage my time as well as I could have and it would have been nice knowing more about bus schedules in advance to avoid the headaches I get from waiting for buses I don't know when will come.  However, I would return to Pohang for either the annual summer fireworks festival at Bukbu beach where I enjoyed the water fountain, Pohang Makgeolli, and delicious makchang gui restaurant, or simply to enjoy a full day hiking around Naeyeongsan.

Online resources:

Pohang Wikipedia Page

Pohang City Page

Pohang Fireworks Festival Page (Korean)