Leafy parks and intriguing museums draw visitors to the charming district of Okpo-dong on Geoje Island. Its rural look, characterized by green hills and the light-blue sea, has a surprisingly international culture, influenced by the shipyard and a thriving port trade. Make your way through the streets of the district and stop at a restaurant for a sense of local traditions.

Due to the importance of the port and shipyard, the city has a huge international influence, with all types of well-known foreign brands neighboring the local sites. Notice the many white high-rise apartment and office blocks that crowd this coastal valley. The green rolling mountains of Geoje Island make up a picturesque backdrop, framed by the blue-green water of the sea.

Learn more about regional shipyard traditions in the Geoje Museum, which is just opposite the Okpo Fire Station. The museum’s exhibits trace the history of the fishing industry, through an array of historic artifacts and works of art.

Delve further into local history in Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park, where relics and sculptures pay tribute to Admiral Yi-Sun-sin, known for fighting off a 16th-century Japanese invasion.

The area is also known for the International School of Koje, where many of the foreign workers from the docks send their children.

Okpo-dong is located on the eastern edge of Geoje Island. From the islet’s namesake city, ride a bus east for just over an hour to get here. You can also arrive at Gimhae International Airport in Busan and take a taxi south. While on the island, ensure you visit surrounding areas such as the Geoje Recreation Forest, Hallyeohaesang National Park and the nearby landmass of Hansando.