Everything You Need to Know About Purple Island, South Korea

Banwoldo (Banwold Island) is located off the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula, adjacent to Bakjido Island. An expansive bridge connects them. Collectively, they are referred to as the Purple Island. The residents painted everything on both islands to encourage more tourist traffic. And so far, it is working. It made me want to visit, and here is what I discovered when I recently traveled there with friends.

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Where Is Purple Island in South Korea?

Purple Island is located in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, along the southwestern coast of South Korea. It sits southwest of Mokpo, surrounded by islands scattered across the Yellow Sea. Despite its name, Purple Island consists of two small islands, Banwoldo (반월도) and Bakjido (박지도). Purple pedestrian bridges connect the islands to each other and the mainland.

Looking at the map, you can see how much water separates the communities in this region. Sinan County includes numerous islands, some connected by bridges and others accessible by ferry. The landscape is very different from Seoul or Daegu. Instead of crowded streets and tall buildings, you will find fishing villages, low mountains, and tidal flats. When the tide goes out, large stretches of muddy seabed become visible between the islands.

Driving from Mokpo to Purple Island

Although Purple Island appears relatively close on the map, reaching it requires driving through several coastal communities. The driving route takes you across several islands connected by bridges. From Mokpo, cross Aphae Bridge (압해대교) onto Aphaedo Island. Continue toward Cheonsa Bridge (천사대교), also called the Angel Bridge, which connects Aphaedo to Amtaedo Island. From there, follow National Route 2 west through Amtaedo and Palgeumdo before heading south onto Anjwado.

Continue through Anjwa-myeon toward Duri Village (두리마을), following signs for Purple Island. The parking area is near the Purple Bridge entrance. You cannot drive onto Banwoldo or Bakjido from here, so park and continue on foot. Allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes from Mokpo, depending on traffic and your starting point.

Why Is Everything Purple?

The purple theme began as a tourism project designed to attract visitors to the small island communities. Residents painted rooftops, bridges, and other structures in shades of purple. They also planted flowers and added decorations throughout the villages. The color was inspired partly by campanula, a purple bell-shaped flower associated with the area.

The transformation gave the islands a recognizable identity. Photographs of the purple bridges and buildings began attracting attention, and visitors started arriving to see the unusual scenery. In 2021, Purple Island received recognition through the United Nations World Tourism Organization Best Tourism Villages initiative. The award recognized rural communities using tourism to support local development while protecting cultural and natural resources.

I appreciate the idea behind the project. Small rural communities often struggle to attract visitors, especially when they are far from major cities. Purple Island found a way to distinguish itself from other coastal villages. Today, purple appears almost everywhere, from rooftops and telephone booths to flower displays and pedestrian bridges. The color scheme makes the villages interesting to photograph.

Driving from Daegu to Purple Island

The drive from Camp Walker in Daegu to Purple Island takes approximately four to five hours each way. Mokpo is a convenient stop along the route, approximately three to three and a half hours from Camp Walker. From Mokpo, allow another hour to an hour and a half to reach Purple Island.

Although visiting Purple Island from Daegu in one day is possible, I would not recommend driving there and back in a single day. The route is not connected by major highways the entire way. Much of the journey involves smaller roads through rural communities, making the drive longer and more tiring than you might expect.

Purple Island Entrance Fees

One of the more unusual things about visiting Purple Island is the admission policy. During our visit, admission was 3,000 KRW, but visitors wearing purple could enter for free. We took advantage of that offer and wore purple. It was a simple way to save a little money, and our clothing worked well with the colorful surroundings.

You do not have to dress entirely in purple. During our visit, purple accessories and clothing items could qualify for free admission. However, I recommend checking the current rules before visiting because admission prices and promotional policies can change.

Even without the discount, I would recommend wearing something that complements the scenery. Purple is the obvious choice, but white and yellow also photograph well against the bridges and decorations. There are plenty of places to take pictures, and coordinating your clothing with the surroundings can make the photographs more interesting.

Best Time to Visit Purple Island

Spring and autumn are generally the best seasons to visit Purple Island. Temperatures are milder, and seasonal flowers add color to the villages and walking paths. However, blooming periods vary depending on the weather.

We visited in May, and the sun was already high in the sky. Despite the spring weather, it was quite warm walking across the bridges. There is very little shade, especially along the exposed coastal walkways. I recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of water. Summer would be even more uncomfortable because of the heat and humidity.

If I visited again, I would arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The temperatures would be more comfortable, and the softer light would be better for photography. We took plenty of pictures, but the midday sun created some harsh shadows.

I would also check the tide schedule before planning another visit. During our trip, the tide was out, exposing large stretches of muddy coastline. The scenery was quite different from photographs showing blue water surrounding the purple bridges. I would love to return when the tide is high and see how much it changes the landscape.

How Long Should You Spend on Purple Island?

We spent approximately three hours exploring Purple Island, which was enough time for us. The purple pedestrian bridges are the main attraction, connecting Banwoldo and Bakjido to the mainland. We walked across the beautiful 1,500-meter purple bridge connecting the islands to the mainland. We explored the villages, stopped for photographs, and enjoyed the coastal scenery. We even ran into friends from Camp Walker who had arrived on the MWR bus tour.

I recommend allowing two to four hours for your visit. You can walk between Banwol and Bakji Islands or rent a bicycle. There are also hiking trails leading to Mt. Uhkkae on Banwol and Mt. Parkji on Bakji. Neither hike is particularly challenging, and both offer another perspective of the surrounding coastline. If hiking is not your thing, each island has a cafe where you can stop.

I would not plan an entire day around Purple Island alone. Beyond the bridges, walking trails, and photography, there is not much else to do. The visit itself is relatively short compared with the journey from Daegu. You can visit on a one-day MWR bus tour, as our friends did. However, you may spend considerably more time traveling than exploring the islands. That is worth considering when deciding whether to drive or join an organized tour.

Visiting Mokpo and Purple Island Together

Mokpo is a convenient city to include when visiting Purple Island. It offers more restaurants, hotels, and sightseeing opportunities than the islands themselves. Combining the two destinations also makes better use of the long journey from Daegu, so we decided to drive instead of joining the MWR bus tour. We wanted the flexibility to stop in Mokpo and the option of spending the night. Having our own car meant we did not have to plan everything around a bus departure.

Mokpo was our first road trip of the summer down south. I had never visited before, but I would definitely go back. The city has a lively restaurant, cafe, and bar scene. Along the ocean promenade, we found street vendors, entertainment, and a nightly light and music show.

One of the highlights was riding the glass-bottom cable car over the ocean, islands, and mountains. We even passed a mountain temple along the way. We also kept up with our Sunday hiking tradition. This time, we explored an outdoor sculpture garden with beautiful views overlooking the city. There were plenty of stairs, landscaped gardens, sculptures, and walking paths to explore.

We spent the night at a spa hotel overlooking the water. What I did not realize was that the spa only catered to men. Women were not allowed inside. Good thing I never wandered downstairs looking for a treatment. That could have been embarrassing. Not for me, but for them!

What to Expect on Purple Island

Pros

• Stunning Visuals: The purple-themed decor and picturesque views are delightful, especially for photography enthusiasts.
• Instagram-Worthy Spots: With its consistent purple palette and scenic bridge, it’s a haven for capturing vibrant shots.
• Relaxed Island Vibe: A few hours on the island provide a peaceful escape, perfect for a casual walk or bike ride.
• Unique Theme: The purple concept is quirky and fun, especially for first-time visitors. It’s an experience you won’t find elsewhere.

Cons

• Limited Activities: Beyond the bridge and photo spots, there isn’t a wide range of activities to fill an entire day.
• Midday Crowds: Tour buses bring waves of visitors, so popular spots can get crowded, making it hard to enjoy the scenery.
• Minimal Shade: The island has limited shaded areas, so it can get quite hot and bright during midday.
• Tide-Dependent Views: During low tide, coastal areas can look muddy, which might affect the overall scenery, especially for photos.

Is Purple Island Worth Visiting?

I am glad Steven, Robyn, and I visited Purple Island, but I would not make the long drive from Daegu just to see it again. The purple bridges and decorations were pretty, and I enjoyed exploring with friends. However, there was not enough to do beyond walking around, taking photographs, and enjoying the scenery. Arriving during low tide also affected my impression because the muddy coastline was not nearly as attractive as the photographs I had seen.

The purple theme has attracted visitors to an area many travelers might otherwise overlook. However, a successful tourism project does not automatically mean there is enough to justify a long journey.

Purple Island is worth considering if you are already exploring southwestern South Korea. However, I would combine it with Mokpo or other nearby attractions rather than making it the only reason for a long trip. Photographers and visitors interested in unusual destinations may particularly enjoy it, especially when the flowers are blooming and the tide is in.

Tips for Visiting Purple Island

A little planning can make visiting Purple Island more enjoyable. Most of the attractions are outdoors, and transportation can take longer than expected. These are the things I would consider before going.

• Wear purple: Purple clothing may qualify you for free admission. Check the current policy before visiting.
• Bring comfortable shoes: Walking is the main activity, particularly across the bridges.
• Carry sun protection: There is limited shade throughout the tourist area.
• Check the tide forecast: The coastal scenery changes considerably between high and low tide.
• Visit early or late: Softer lighting makes photography easier and may help you avoid crowds.
• Allow two to four hours: This is enough time for most visitors to explore the main attractions.

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Address:

[Banwol Island (반월도)
KakaoMap] 반월도선착장
2-1, Banwol-ri, Anjwa-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do
Korean Address: 전남 신안군 안좌면 박지리

http://kko.to/Kxz0Lnu74c

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