Odongdo Island

Odongdo sits at the mouth of Yeosu harbour, joined to the mainland since the 1930s by a breakwater of 768 metres that is itself part of the visit - walked in about fifteen minutes with the sea on both sides, or ridden on the small road train that shuttles across. The island is covered in evergreen: around three thousand camellia trees, along with bamboo and other broadleaf evergreens, and the camellias flower from late winter through spring, dark red against glossy leaves, which is what Yeosu advertises. Paths loop round the island through the trees to a lighthouse with a viewing deck, a music fountain, a small botanical area and rock viewpoints over the harbour and the bridges. It takes a couple of hours. Yeosu itself is a port city that hosted the 2012 Expo, and the cable car over the harbour and the night lighting of the bridges are the other things people come for.

The landscape

• The breakwater walk - 768 metres out with sea on both sides.
• The camellia woods - three thousand trees flowering in late winter.
• The lighthouse deck - the view over harbour and bridges.
• The evergreen paths - loops through bamboo and broadleaf.

When to go

Late February to April for camellia, which is the island's season. Evenings for the harbour lights. Summer is hot but the evergreen shade helps.

Practical notes

It is small - two hours covers it. The breakwater is exposed in wind and rain. Weekends and the camellia season bring crowds and queues for the road train.

Nearby

Yeosu's cable car and Expo site are on the waterfront; Suncheonman is west.