Pohang

Pohang (포항(浦項)) is a major industrial city on South Korea's east coast in North Gyeongsang. It is well-known for Jukdo Market, one of the most popular fresh fish markets in Korea.

Understand

Pohang is about 110 km (70 mi) north of Busan and about 360 km (230 mi) southeast of Seoul. Pohang is home to POSCO, one of the world's largest steel companies, which sits prominently on the bay. It is also the home of POSTECH, a highly ranked engineering university.

Pohang
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       15     9 −1       118     8 1       130     14 5       122     19 10       20     25 15       88     25 19       90     30 23       453     27 22       117     25 19       128     21 13       50     16 7       7.9     6 −2 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm 2014 Korea Meteorological Administration
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       0.6     47 31       4.6     47 34       5.1     57 41       4.8     66 50       0.8     78 59       3.5     76 66       3.5     85 73       18     80 71       4.6     78 65       5     70 56       1.9     60 45       0.3     43 28 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Get in

By train

The train station in Pohang is in Heunghae-eup, far from the center of the city. Trains run from Daegu (1.5 hours), Busan (2–3 hours) and Seoul.

The old train station in Pohang is in the center of the city, across the street from the downtown shopping area.

By plane

Pohang Airport (포항공항) lies about 10 km East of the city past Posco. Domestic flights only from Seoul Gimpo and Jeju island. To get there, take city bus 200 towards Guryongpo (구룡포).

By bus

Pohang Bus Terminal

There are two bus stations in Pohang.

• Shiwae (Intercity) Bus Terminal 시외 버스 터미널 Buses run to nearby cities and almost every major city in South Korea.
• Gosok (Express) Bus Terminal 고속 버스 터미널 Buses run to Seoul, Gwangju, Daejeon, Masan, and Seonsan Resting place Transit Center.

Get around

By bus

Buses run regularly throughout Pohang and the surrounding areas. There are two kinds of buses: general buses (일반버스) and seat buses (좌석버스). Fare for the general buses are slightly cheaper than fare for the seat buses. General buses are painted blue and orange, and seat buses are painted green and gray. There are 31 bus lines.

General bus routes

• 101 : Yangdeok - Pohang University - Youth Training Center - Bukbu Beach - Bukbu market - Poeun Library - 6 Junction - Jukdo market - Express Bus Terminal - hyeongsan rotary - POSCO headquarters - Namgu Public Health Center -Cheongrim Elementary School - North Gate of the Marine Corps - Nambu Fire Station - Donghae Myeon Office (Bus intervals 12 minutes)
• 102 : Yangdeok - Hwanho Sunrise Park - Senior Center - Buk-gu Public Health Center- Changpo Intersection - Women's Cultural Center - Good samaritan Hospital - Poeun Library - 6 Junction - jukdo market - Express Bus Terminal - Haedo 119 Safety Center - Sangdae market - Nambu Market - Nam-gu Office - culture and Arts Center - hyeongsan rotary-POSCO headquarters - Nam-gu Public Health Center - West Gate of the Marine Corps - Ocheon market - ocheon-eup office - Mundeok (Bus intervals 11 minutes)
• 105 : Yangdeok - Hwanho Sunrise Park - Senior Center - Dongbu Elementary School - Bukgu Health Center - changpo Intersection - Bukbu Beach - Lotte Department Store - Bukbu Market - Poeun Library - 6 junction - Jukdo market - Jukdo police station - Employment Support Center - Intercity Bus Terminal - Daejam Intersection - St. Mary's hospital- POSTECH - Pohang Techno Park - Jigok (Bus intervals 9 minutes)
• 107 : Mundeok - Worker's Welfare Hall - Industrial Complex Water Treatment Plant - Pohang substation - Yeonil eup Office - Nambu Police Station - Intercity Bus Terminal - Sangdae market - Express Bus Terminal - Jukdo market - 6 Junction - Tax office - Narukkeut - Daljeon - Sunlin College - Heunghae eup office - Heunghae (Bus intervals 12 minutes)

It can be difficult to figure out which bus to take if you only know your destination. Call ☏ +82 54-1330 for free travel information in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

By taxi

Taxis are relatively inexpensive as long as you are traveling within Pohang city limits. The base fare is ₩2,200 (₩2,400 after midnight) and it's increased in ₩100 increments based on distance and time.

See

Homigot

• POSCO at night. At night POSCO turns the multicolored lights on, and the red-and-white-striped smokestacks turns into a show of all of the colors in the fluorescent rainbow.  
• The Hands of Harmony (take bus #200 outside of the Intercity Bus Terminal; transfer buses at 구룡포 (Guryongpo) and head for 호미곶 (Homigot)). Well beyond POSCO lies a small fishing village called Homigot. While the beaches in this town are too rocky to be considered viable for swimming, there is a work of art worth seeing; The Hands of Living Mutually or Hands of Harmony. This is a massive bronze sculpture of a hand stretching up from the water in a small cove. A second bronze hand of equal proportion stretches up from dry land on the other side of Homigot Sunrise Square. The hand in the water is worth seeing, particularly at sunrise. This particular cove's claim to fame is that it is the farthest point east in Korea (also referred to as the Tiger's Tail) so the sun rises here first. This charming place is a bit of an obscure tourist trap. Amateur photographers from all over the country come to shoot pictures of the sun rising through the fingers of the hand. Some bring expensive state-of-the-art equipment whilst many will merely whip out their cellphones and start shooting. This can be a crowded shoving match over the rocks and ocean. Some will even venture waist-deep into the water, holding their cellphones high, amidst squawking seagulls, to get a better shot of the bird-soiled sculpture. New Year's Eve is presumably the best time to visit the monument as there are fireworks and festivities that run until dawn (which is shortly after 07:30). The sight is also popular in the summer months, when temperatures are more agreeable. While there are hotels within an easy walk, some opt to sleep out on the square with a friend, a sleeping bag, some mosquito spray and a couple bottles of soju. The sun rises early in the summer (shortly after 05:00 in late June). Near the sculptures are a lighthouse and museum along with numerous tourist shops, seafood restaurants, peddler tents and the likes. The local-owned tourist shops can be immensely helpful when finding a place to stay or the next bus out. There are traditional squat toilets in the public restrooms nearest The Hands. Western-style toilets can be found at the restrooms outside the lighthouse museum nearby. 
• Botanical Garden Of Gyeongsangbukdo (경상북도 수목원). There are 22 arboretums, which are largely divided into professional arboretum, theme garden, changpo garden, spire garden, and broadleaf garden. The theme garden is a place where flowers are planted in groups separated from each season so that flowers can be seen in four seasons. In Changpo Garden, Coniferous Garden, and Broad Leaf Garden, there are plants that fit each name. (updated Sep 2020)
• Guryongpo Gwamegi Culture Museum, 경북 포항시 남구 구룡포읍 구룡포길117번길 28-8 과메기문화관. At the Gurongpo Gwamegi Cultural Museum, you can learn about Gwamegi, a specialty of Pohang, such as the process of making Gwamegi and the Gwamegi industry. In addition to writing, you can actively feel Guryongpo Gwamegi as an exhibition and experience type. (updated Sep 2020)
• Key-Chungsan Botanical Garden. A botanical garden that can be enjoyed outdoors; a place where endangered plants are preserved and multiplied. (updated Sep 2020)
• Deokdong Culture Village (덕동문화마을). A 300-year-old village where you can experience old games and enjoy the scenery of old Korean villages. Deokdong Folklore Exhibition Hall, which displays relics used in the past, is located inside. Between the village's reservoir and the valley, there is a pine forest designated and managed as a "beautiful village forest.". Experiences such as Seodang Education, Tea Ceremony, Hanok Accommodation, and Making Traditional Food are reserved for more than 20 people. (updated Sep 2020)
• Duksil Village. A place where you can enjoy ice sledding in winter. You can enjoy the old Korean winter sled. (updated Sep 2020)
• Bogyeongsa Temple. Bogyeongsa Temple in Pohang is an old temple located in Naeyeonsan Mountain. It is beautiful because there is a valley around. (updated Sep 2020)
• Sabang Memorial Park. A place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of modern sabang projects in Korea. Sabang project refers to construction carried out to prevent natural disasters. There are three exhibition rooms that collect various materials and technical changes of the Sabang project, a multi-purpose video room, and outdoor facilities that reproduce the actual construction site. (updated Sep 2020)
• Saemaul Memorial Hall, 경북 포항시 북구 기계면 새마을발상지길 116, ☏ +82 54-372-5500. It is an exhibition hall created to re-examine the achievements of the Saemaul Movement and promote the history of the Saemaul Movement. It is a place where many domestic and foreign officials visit every year to learn and check the contents of the Saemaul Movement. There are various events where you can experience Saemaul Movement here. If you want information about the event, please go to the homepage and check it out. (updated Sep 2020)
• New Millennium Memorial Hall, 경북 포항시 남구 호미곶면 해맞이로 136. The Millennium Memorial Hall is located near Homigot and was built to commemorate the hosting of the sunrise event and to pray for the unification of Korea. (updated Sep 2020)
• Yeongil Folk History Museum, 경북 포항시 북구 흥해읍 한동로 51 영일민속박물관 (Bus 500, 550, 107 and get off at "Heunghae Rotary" stop.), ☏ +82 54-261-2798. The Yeongil Folk Museum uses Jenamheon, a building from the Joseon Dynasty, as an exhibition room. It was built in 1835 and designated as a cultural property. In the exhibition room of Jenamheon, old agricultural equipment, ancient books, and earthenware are displayed, so you can look at the lives of the people in the past. (updated Sep 2020)
• Oeosa Temple, 경상북도 포항시 오천읍 오어로 1 KR (by car or texi), ☏ +82 54-292-2083. (updated Sep 2020)
• The Posco Museum. (updated Sep 2020)
• Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. (updated Sep 2020)
• Pohang Museum Of Steel Art, 경북 포항시 북구 환호공원길 10 포항시립미술관, ☏ +82 54-270-4700. free. (updated Sep 2020)
• Pohang Canal PR Hall, 경북 포항시 남구 희망대로 1040 물관리센터 3층, ☏ +82 54-270-5177. (updated Sep 2020)
• Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence. (updated Sep 2020)
• 1 Iga-ri Anchor observatory (이가리닻 전망대), Mount Igarisan 67-3 in Cheong-myeon, Buk-gu. An anchor-shaped observatory facing Dokdo. The direct distance to Dokdo is about 251km, which contains the people's desire to protect Dokdo. It is 102m long and 10m high, and is famous for its sunrise. It is near Igari Beach. (updated Oct 2022)

  

  Pohang spot

• 2 Hwanho Park (환호 공원), 347 Hochi-dong, Buk-gu. Completed in 2001. The park is divided into several themes, including high-tech science, marine culture, and sports. Landscape facilities such as a science museum, an outdoor park, and an artificial waterfall are established. (updated Oct 2022)
• 3 Space walk, San 8, Duho-dong, Buk-gu. M-F 10:00-20:00, Sa Su 10:00-21:00. Hwanho Park's night view attraction. It is located near Yeongildae Beach. It is one of Pohang's landmarks. It is a work of architectural structures by German Heike Mutter and Ulrich Gentz. The track length is 333 m and the number of stairs is 717. The maximum number of people to experience is 150 at the same time. You can't use it if you're less than 110 cm tall. Access is restricted during strong winds and rain, so you need to check in advance. free. (updated Oct 2022)

Historical attractions west of the city

Oksan seowon

• 4 Yangdong Folk Village (양동마을/良洞마을). Yangdong should in no case be confused with the tourist trap "Gyeongju Folk Village". The village consists of estates and houses from the 15th and 16th century. The about 150 buildings are to a large part still inhabited. The main sights include the estates of Yi Hui-Tae (1733), Simsujeong (1560) and Hyangdam (1543). From Gyeongju there are many bus lines to Yangdong (more precise information available at the tourist office). After a 30-minute ride, you have to get off and follow the railway tracks for about a kilometer and a half. After the underpass one will arrive at the folk village in about 15 minutes. ₩1,500. 
• 5 Oksan Seowon. Established in 1572, Oksan Seowon was one of Korea's most important Confucian schools. Contrary to many other Confucian schools it was spared the destruction of the 1860s, but not a fire in the early 19th century that left just 14 buildings standing. In the summer people are camping at the nearby river bank and bathing at the waterfall. One of the nine components of the world heritage site Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies. 
• 6 The tomb of King Heungdok. One of the last tombs built by the Silla dynasty and the one furthest away from Gyeongju. It is 4 km north of Angangri, about halfway between Oksan Seowon and Yangdong Folk Village. 

Do

• Songdo Beach (송도해수욕장) (Bus 130 and get off at "Songdo Beach" stop.). Located in Songdo-dong, Songdo Beach sits directly across a small inlet from POSCO's steel mill. Though not popular for swimming, it often attracts windsurfers. 
• Bukbu Beach (북부해수욕장) (Bus 101, 105, 200, 600 (On 15 February 2012 the route was extended.) 700 and get off at "Bukbu Beach" Stop.). Located just north of downtown Pohang and across the bay from POSCO, Bukbu Beach is a popular (i.e. often crowded) summertime hangout. It is more popular than Songdo Beach for swimming, though the brown color and its proximity to POSCO keep many people out of the water. The International Fireworks Festival is held here every year in July. (updated Sep 2023)
• Chilpo Beach (칠포해수욕장) (take an intercity bus 50 minutes north towards Yeongdeok or Uljin and get off at Chilpo). About 10 km north of the city. Clean water and good waves. Inner tubes are for rent (₩10,000). 
• Wolpo Beach (월포해수욕장) (take a bus to Yeongdeok and get off at Cheongha. The beach is 1.5 km from the intersection; in summer, take Bus No. 500 to Wolpo from the express bus terminal (고속버스터미날); the buses run 11 times a day). 4 km north of Chilpo Beach, Wolpo Beach is often less crowded. Inner tubes are for rent (₩10,000). 

  

  Guryongpo Beach

• Guryongpo Beach (구룡포해수욕장) (take bus 200 from the Intercity Bus Terminal (시외버스터미널) to its final stop at Guryongpo, the beach is 2 km north from there.), ☏ +82 54-275-9405. Guryongpo Beach is about 10 km east of the city. Though small, Guryongpo Beach has clear blue water that attracts snorkelers, and fishermen. 
• Pohang Ship Experience. (updated Sep 2020)
• Yeongilman Cruise. (updated Sep 2020)
• Yeonorang Seonyeo Theme Park. (updated Sep 2020)
• 1 Yeongildae Beach (영일대 해수욕장), 1015-5 Duho-dong, Buk-gu. Generally Jun–Aug 09:00-20:00. It is the largest beach on the east coast. be famous for the sunrise There are Yeongilgyo Bridge, a sea bridge, and Yeongildae, a sea pavilion. You can use the free beach parking lot to park. It provides facilities and services such as shower rooms, changing rooms, toilets, water supply stands, canteens and parasols. You can also experience marine leisure activities. (updated Oct 2022)

Festival

• Pohang Steel Art Festival (포항 스틸아트 페스티벌). This is a festival that combines the cultural codes of iron across the time and space of Pohang history with art and cultural activities, from the Yeonorang SeoNyeo Ilwol myth to POSCO's success myth. It is the world's only steel festival and consists of exhibitions of steel art works, experience programs, tour programs, and performance programs. Admission is free, but the experience program is partially charged. free. 
• 2 Chilpo Jazz Festival (칠포 재즈 페스티벌). It is a symbolic cultural festival in Pohang that started in 2007 and is held every year. Various jazz music stages such as swing, bebop, cool, free jazz, and rock jazz will be held. It is held on the outdoor special stage of Chilpo Beach, and the bathroom is located in the concert hall. The booth and fence are used to distinguish the outside from the concert hall. Wheelchairs are available. It is an entire audience. (updated Dec 2022)

Sports

Watch football at Pohang Steel Yard (home to Pohang Steelers, one of the most successful in Asia with 3 Champions League titles).

Buy

• Pohang Rose Bread (포항 장미빵). Inspired by roses designated as urbanization in Pohang. It is about 4.5cm in diameter and is shaped like a rose. It contains various kinds of nuts, seeds, and cheese. It is a bread made by kneading glutinous rice and milk without using flour. It can be stored at room temperature for about three days. Alternatively, it can be stored in a freezer and eaten by heating it in a natural defrosting or microwave oven. Refrigeration is prohibited. You can buy it at 'Haessaldam' Bakery. (updated Dec 2022)

Eat

• 1 Hwan-yeo Sashimi restaurant (환여횟집), 189-1, Haean-ro, Duho-dong, Buk-gu, ☏ +82 54-251-8847. Daily 10:00-20:30. Cold raw fish soup and spicy fish stew are delicious. It is near Yeongildae. Parking is available in front of the restaurant (paid) or in front of the Heian Cafe (free)/Yeongildae 2 parking lot (paid). You can order as to go. (updated Oct 2022)
• 2 Yurim Restaurant (유림식당), 227-6 Homiro, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, ☏ +82 507-1342-4574. Daily 11:30-18:00. It is famous for Mori noodles. It consists of two types: standing and sitting, and you cannot order one serving. Break time from 15:00-16:00. Mori-noodles: It is a local food of Guryongpo-eup in Pohang. It originated from spicy noodles eaten by fishermen in Guryongpo-eup. It is seafood kalguksu boiled with fish, seafood, and bean sprouts. Generally, fish put anglerfish. (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 Jukdo Market (죽도시장), 13 Jukdo Market 13-gil, Buk-gu. 08:00-22:00. It is the largest traditional market in Pohang. It sells a variety of items such as marine products, dried fish, vegetables, fruits, clothing, and furniture. It is composed of various alleys such as a fish market area, agricultural product street, food alley, and rice cake restaurant alley. Parking is available in the nearby public parking lot. It is ₩5,000 for 20 minutes, and ₩200 will be added for every 10 minutes. The maximum parking fee per day is ₩7,000. Guamegi, snow crab, and kaljebi are recommended foods. (updated Dec 2022)

Drink

You don't have to stumble very far to find a drink in this town, or anywhere in Korea for that matter. If beer is your drink of choice, head for a HOF (호프, "hopeu"), which sells cheap Korean beer in pitchers alongside a selection of overpriced anju (안주) - fried chicken, fruit platters, nachos, or dried fish - an order of which is sometimes required. Soju is available anywhere beer is served. Liquor is not always easy to find. It's more popular with expats than Koreans, so heading for a foreigner bar is a safe bet. There are no enforced open-container laws in Korea, so if you're trying to save some cash buy a pitcher from the local Family Mart and head for Bukbu Beach or the nearest park.

Downtown

The main area for nightlife. Several bars in the downtown area cater to the foreign crowd (mix of US military, foreign teachers, university students, and engineers), all with similar atmospheres and identical prices. The downtown area is divided into two main stretches - (1) from the train station to the post office, and (2) from the post office to yukgeori, the 6-way intersection.

• Whistler (from the post office to yukgeori, the 6-way intersection.). Two pool tables, electronic darts, secluded tables with couch seating, wraparound bar, big screen TVs and live music at times. 500cc Hite ₩3,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 
• Beethoven (from the post office to yukgeori, the 6-way intersection.). Small dive bar with long bench seat and three small tables, projection TV screen, wraparound bar. 500cc Hite ₩3,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 
• Mindy's (from the post office to yukgeori, the 6-way intersection.). Pool table, table seating, small bar. 500cc Hite ₩3,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 
• Judaepo (주대포) (from the train station to the post office). Popular for cheap makkeolli (막걸리) and soju cocktails. Good food, seating for large groups. Makkeolli teapots ₩3,000. Soju cocktails ₩4,000. No liquor.. 
• Portobello (from the post office to yukgeori, the 6-way intersection.). Calls itself a "Vintage Pub" a title which belies its modern interior design and small drink selection. 50" flat screen TV, live music at times on the weekend. Happy hour (6pm ~ 8pm, everyday) buy-one-get-one-free specials. Excellent fish and chips (owner used to live in England). 500cc Hite with lemon wedge ₩4,000. Some cheap cocktails. Gin (Bombay) & Tonic ₩5,000. Jack coke ₩5,000.. 

Koreatown

From the downtown post office, head two blocks east past KB Bank to reach Koreatown. This area of the city thrives on the weekends, when it is packed with a fun-loving Korean crowd, young and old alike.

• S-bar. Dance floor, weekend DJs that spin hip-hop and some rock music, two electronic dart boards, and an enclosed wrap-around bar. Beer by the bottle only, Hite ₩5,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 
• Fish and Grill. Delicious chicken and fish menu, wooden tables and chairs, and large open windows. Excellent blended soju cocktails. 500cc Hite ₩3,000, Korean sake glass ₩4,000. 

Bukbu

• Tilt (behind Valentine Hotel on Bukbu beach. Bus 200, 105, 700, 101 and get off at "Bukbu Beach" Stop). Best expat bar in town. Foreign-owned and operated bar and restaurant, wooden booths and tables, western menu (sandwiches, nachos, wings, burgers), cheap liquor, big screen TVs, Alley Kat on tap, Sunday brunch. Weekly drink specials. Hite bottle ₩4,000. Jack coke ₩5,000. Alley Kat draft ₩6,000.. 

E-dong

• Giant Step. Large projection TV screen, outdoor picnic tables, large group seating. 500cc Hite ₩3,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 
• Live Story. Live music on weekends, projection TV screen, outdoor seating. 500cc Hite ₩3,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 
• Rumboat. Large boat in the middle of the bar with seating for 6, wooden tables elsewhere. 500cc Hite ₩3,000. Jack coke ₩7,000.. 

Sleep

There are a few hotels within a ten minute walk toward town, mostly wedged in the network of small roads and alleys west of The Hand. These places start at approximately ₩40,000 per night and checkout can seem obnoxiously early after viewing sunrise and going back to bed. Pension accommodation can be found on the other side of town, past the broadcast stations along the shore. Getting to these will involve a little exploring. Pensions during summer start at about ₩70,000 per night per room.

• 이동온천스포렉스, 469-11 Daejam-dong, Nam-gu (Bus 108, 130 to 이동온천스포렉스), ☏ +82 54-282-8888. Check-in: 24 hours. Small size jjimjjilbang compared to ones in Seoul and Busan. The wash and changing rooms are on the second floor and sleeping quarters are on the third floor. "Jjimjjilbang" is not written in Hangul on the building. Sleeping mats are few in number and are quite thin. There are wooden bricks to use as a pillow. Take bus #130 on the same side as the Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at 이동온천스포렉스 (Idongoncheonseuporekseu). Pay first at the counter on the main floor. You will receive pajamas and a receipt. Show the receipt in the changing room to receive your locker key and towels. ₩7,000. 
• 1 Hotel View (뷰호텔), Haean-ro, 91. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Prices range from ₩70,000 to ₩90,000 per night for adults. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Win Hotel (윈호텔), 89 Haean-ro, Duho-dong, Buk-gu, ☏ +82 054 242 3355. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Prices range from ₩55,000 to ₩70,000 per night for adults. (updated Dec 2023)
• 3 The 7 Hotel (더세븐 호텔), 7-4, Jungheung-ro 113beon-gil, Buk-gu, ☏ +82 054 283 8001. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Prices start at ₩45,000 per night for adults. (updated Dec 2023)