Gunsan columnsData & Route AnalysisCar-Free and Public Transit Routes6 min read
Crossing the Port and Islands Without a Steering Wheel: Gunsan by City Bus and on Foot
A car-free travel plan that links a walkable 1 km radius in the old downtown with city bus No. 99 across Gogunsan Bridge.
Gunsan is one of the few small and midsize regional cities where you can cover both the key sights and the island-dotted sea without a car.
That is because the old downtown's sights are packed within a 1 km radius, and city bus 99 from Bieung Port crosses the bridges to Sinsido Island, Munyeodo Island, Seonyudo Island and Jangjado Island. We have put together a practical timetable completed by bus and on foot.
The 6 places in this columnFull list
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Hours
- March–October 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)November–February 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Closed days
- Every Monday more
- Hours
- 09:00–21:00 (winter, November–February)
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Hours
- Summer 08:00–19:00Winter 08:00–18:00
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed days
- Open all year
Photos: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes allowed), KOGL Type 1
“The moment you let go of the wheel, the low eaves of the old downtown and the horizon beyond Gogunsan Bridge, missed while hunting for parking, finally come into view.”
The Modern History Museum Stop, Where Seven City Bus Routes Meet
For car-free travelers getting off at Gunsan Station or the express and intercity bus terminals, the first base to remember is the 'Modern History Museum' stop. Major city routes such as Nos. 01, 08, 09, 18, 19, 71 and 83 pass through it, making it the gateway to the old downtown.
From the moment you step off at the stop, there is no need to take the bus again. That is because the modern buildings of Haemang-ro line up in a straight row from the museum, and the alleys to the southwest link filming locations and registered heritage sites like a tight net.
- Modern History MuseumClosed days Every Monday
An Old Downtown Walking Triangle Completed Within 1 km
Walk from the museum toward Guyeong-gil, and Chowon Photo Studio, the Japanese-style House in Sinheung-dong, Gunsan, Mallaengi Village and Dongguksa Temple appear in turn within a radius of just 500–800 m. Mark them on a map and they form a compact triangle with sides of less than 1 km.
By car, it is easy to waste time parking again and again in each alley. On foot, you can naturally string together the ivy on alley walls, old bakeries and roastery cafes. Even if you drift around this triangle all morning, your step count stays at around ten thousand.
- Chowon Photo StudioClosed days Open all year
- Dongguksa TempleClosed days Open all year
Crossing Gogunsan Bridge from a Window Seat on the 2nd Deck of City Bus No. 99
To see the sea in the afternoon, take a city bus to the Bieung Port transfer stop and change to bus 99. Route 99 is the lifeline of the Gogunsan Islands. It starts at Bieung Port at the beginning of the Saemangeum Seawall, passes Sinsido Island and Munyeodo Island, crosses Gogunsan Bridge, and goes deep into Seonyudo Island and the Jangjado Island turnaround.
This route also runs 2-deck electric buses. Sit in a front seat on the 2nd deck and the pylon of Gogunsan Bridge, a single-pylon suspension bridge, and the West Sea islands fill your view. It is a privilege only city bus travelers get; car drivers can never fully enjoy it.
- Gogunsan BridgeHours Always open
- Seonyudo IslandHours Always open
- Jangjado IslandHours Always open
A Seonyudo Island Beach Walk and Tips for Transferring at the Jangjado Island Turnaround
Get off bus 99 at the Seonyudo Beach stop, and the fine sand and Mangjubong Peak are right in front of you. Walk along the beach deck to the entrance of Seonyu Sky SUN Line, then catch the next bus to the Jangjado Island terminus to climb Daejangbong Peak or catch your breath at a seaside cafe.
When waiting for a bus on the islands, the key is to check the departure times from the Jangjado Island turnaround in advance. To avoid missing the last bus at dusk, we suggest boarding a bus toward Bieung Port around 16:00–17:00, then returning downtown to continue the evening at the inner harbor or Eunpa Lake Park.
- Seonyudo IslandHours Always open
- Jangjado IslandHours Always open
The 6 places in this column
-
1
The starting point for walking trips in the old downtown, served by many city buses such as Nos. 01, 08, 09, 18, 19 and 71.
- Hours
- March–October 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)November–February 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Closed days
- Every Monday more
- Fee
- Adults 2,000 wonMuseum combined ticket: Adults 3,000 won more
-
2
A central base on Guyeong-gil a few minutes' walk from the museum and a key stop on the old downtown alley route.
- Hours
- 09:00–21:00 (winter, November–February)
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Fee
- Free
-
3
A hillside temple you reach on foot via Sinheung-dong and Mallaengi Village. It serves as the turning point of the old downtown walking course.
- Hours
- Summer 08:00–19:00Winter 08:00–18:00
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Fee
- Free
-
4
Korea's first single-pylon suspension bridge. You can cross it on city bus No. 99 (including 2-deck buses) from Bieung Port.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Fee
- Not listed
-
5
The No. 99 city bus stop connects directly to the beach and the Mangjubong Peak trail, so it is easy to explore without a car.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Fee
- Not listed
-
6
The terminus section of city bus No. 99. It is good for walking to and from Seonyudo Island over the footbridge or for climbing Daejangbong Peak.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed days
- Open all year
- Fee
- Free (ferry fares are extra)
Photos: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3 (no changes allowed), KOGL Type 1