Odong-do, Island off the coast of Yeosu in South Jeolla, South Korea
Odong-do is a small island off the coast of Yeosu in South Jeolla, South Korea, connected to the mainland by a breakwater roughly 760 meters long. The island is part of Hallyeohaesang National Park and has walking paths that wind through forests of evergreen trees and along rocky stretches of coastline.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Odong-do served as a base for naval training, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin used the island for military purposes. The lighthouse was built in 1952 and still stands today, guiding ships through the surrounding waters.
The island is closely associated with camellia trees, which bloom from autumn through spring and give the paths a deep red color. Along the waterfront walkway, murals painted by local artists add color to the route toward the lighthouse.
The breakwater connecting the mainland to the island can be walked in about 15 to 20 minutes, or visitors can take a small shuttle train that runs from the entrance. A leisurely walk around the island takes about 2 to 3 hours, and mornings tend to be quieter than afternoons.
The name Odong-do comes from the Korean word for paulownia, because the leaves of the island's trees were said to resemble paulownia leaves when seen from a distance. A local legend also tells of a phoenix that once landed on the island, drawn by the sight of its trees.
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