Yeonpyeong Island (연평도, 延坪島, Yeonpeong-do) is a group of South Korean islands in the Yellow Sea, in Gyeonggi province in South Korea. It lies about 80 km (50 mi) west of Incheon and 12 km (7.5 mi) south of the coast of Hwanghae Province, North Korea. The island is known for its crab fisheries.
Understand
[edit]
The main island of the group is Daeyeonpyeongdo ("Big Yeonpyeong Island"), also referred to as Yeonpyeong Island, with a population of around 2,100 (2022).
The principal population centre is Yeonpyeong-ri, where the island's ferry port is located. The other inhabited island is Soyeonpyeongdo ("Small Yeonpyeong Island") with a small population. Several other small islands comprise the rest of the group.
History
[edit]Yeonpyeong Island has long been known as a fishing community, especially the blue crabs, which form the backbone of the local economy. Located near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), it is a strategically sensitive place even in modern times.
In November 2010, Yeonpyeong Island was shelled by North Korean artillery. Visitors can see the presence of military troops and periodic safety notices.
Get in
[edit]By ferry
[edit]The ferry to Yeonpyeong Island departs from Incheon Port. Operations are limited by weather conditions and may be canceled in a short period of time. Passengers must carry a valid ID because the island is located in a restricted sea zone.
- Passengers departing from Incheon and bound for Yeonpyeong Island operate twice a day (08:00, 13:00, as of Dec 2025). It takes two hours and only passes through Soyeonpyeong Island upon arrival. Return ferries also operate twice a day (10:30 and 15:30). If you make a reservation for more than one night and two days on weekdays, there is a half-price discount as part of the "Visit 5 Seohae Island" project. You must make a round-trip reservation online for the benefit, and you can get a boarding pass from the terminal an hour before departure.
- There are small stores in the ferry.
Get around
[edit]Most of the travel on Yeonpyeong Island takes place on foot. Taxis and public transportation are very limited, and visitors usually stay near ferry ports and major settlements.
See
[edit]On sunny days, you can see a view of the North Korean coastline from parts of the island, highlighting its remote and exposed locations. In the port area, you can get a glimpse of everyday island life centered on fishing.
- 1 Chungmin-sa (충민사), 인천 옹진군 연평면 연평리. Chungminsa Temple is a small memorial shrine dedicated to those who lost their lives defending Yeonpyeong Island. It reflects the island's role as a frontline community and serves as a quiet place of remembrance rather than an active religious site. The shrine is modest in size and atmosphere, and visitors are short-visited. It provides a context for travelers to understand the modern history of Yeonpyeong Island and the presence of a memorial space on the island. free.
- 2 Yeonpyeong Peace Observatory (연평평화전망대). all day. Yeonpyeong Peace Observatory where you can see North Korea using a telescope. free.
- 3 Military Tunnel Tourist Facility (군터널관광시설), 인천광역시 옹진군 연평면 연평로682번길 62 62, 692-gil.
Do
[edit]
Activities on Yeonpyeong Island are modest. The main reasons for this visit are to wander around the harbor, observe fishing activities, and experience everyday life on a remote island.
- 1 Yeonpyeong Island Peace Park (연평도 평화공원), 연평로682번길 75-5 75-5, 682beon-gil. Yeonpyeong Peace Park is a small memorial space dedicated to remembrance and peace. Established in 2010 to honor civilians and soldiers affected by shelling, it reflects the island's continued hope for regional stability and coexistence. The park is quiet and contemplative rather than scenic, with simple monuments and open spaces that overlook the surroundings. Visitors often visit Yeonpyeong Island to reflect on its location near the sea border and its impact on the island's daily life. free.
- 2 Yeonpyeong Island Marine Park (연평도함상공원), 연평로.
- 3 Manghyang Observatory (망향전망대). Across the barbed wire fence on the beach is Yeonpyeong Island in the northThere are two telescopes at the observatory. It is 3 km away from the north, so you can see the houses of the residents and even the appearance of the residents. There is no toilet, you musthave an ID card, and wheelchair access is impaired by about 8 steps. Free.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Various seafoods
- Crabs are famous
- Galgama restaurants (갈가마식당), 연평로 712-16 / 712-16. Stir-fried pork with rice, pork belly, Korean beef soup, short rib soup, chogye noodles
- Bomul-sum (보물섬), 연평로 805 / 805. Duruchigi, Korean bouillabaisse, Kalguksu.
- 1 Arikkari (아리까리포차), 연평리 325-166 / 325-166, ☏ +82 32-832-4386. Makchang, drinks.
- Yeonpyeong hoff (연평호프), 연평로 141 2층 / 141, 2nd floor, ☏ +82 32-831-6565. Daily 11:00-00:00. Seafood and fries, drinks. ₩30,000.
- 2 Miyeong restaurant (미영식당), 연평로137번길 42 / 42, 137beon-gil, ☏ +82 32-831-4327. Daily 08:00-21:00. Soy sauce marinated crab, Crab soup. ₩ 30,000.
- Songlim restaurants (송림식당), 연평로167번길 42 / 42, 167beon-gil, ☏ +82 32-832-4707. Steaks ₩14,000 per 250g.
- 3 Byeolmi restaurant (별미식당), 연평중앙로13번길 37-21/ 37-21, Yeonpyeongjungang-ro 13beon-gil (if you walk 50 m to the alley at 10 o'clock with your back to the daycare center, it is located right after the park on your right), ☏ +82 32-831-4803. Daily 10:00-22:00. Last order at 21:30. Porks, pig hocks, Barbecue Bossam, Soft Bean Curd Jjigae, Jeyuk bokkeum ₩15,000 per 250g.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Junwon-pension (전원펜션), 연평로137번길 39-9 /137 gil, 39-9, ☏ +82 32-831-8990. It provides comfortable accommodation.
- Dul-li minbak (둘리민박), 인천 옹진군 연평면 연평중앙로 10 / 10 yeonpyeong jungang ro, ☏ +82 32-831-8902.
- Herb-minbak pension (허브민박펜션), 연평로 805 / 805,, ☏ +82 10-3129-4332. Only reserve on telephone. ₩50,000 per day.
- Hansam minbak (한샘민박), 연평로137번길 90 / 90, 137beon-gil, ☏ +82 32-831-1770.
- Yeondo minbak & restaurant (연도민박식당), 연평로 137 2층 / 137 2nd floor (if you cross Yeonpyeong-ro Bridge, which is the only one from the dock, you can see Yeonpyeong-ro Bed and Breakfast in front of the sea within 100 m to the right), ☏ +82 10-6301-7691. It's easy to get to the dock, and it's the town center, so all the amenities are accessible on foot. they run a rice and soup restaurant on the first floor, so it's perfect for those who will stay for a few days or have to deal with room and board together, such as those who are coming from work. They also run a pick-up service. If you need it, call to the phone number
- Starlight minbak (별빛민박), 연평리 367-23 / 52, Yeonpyeongjungang-ro 13beon-gil, ☏ +82 32-831-3963. A double room.