Goseong (South Gyeongsang)

Goseong (고성, 固城) is in South Gyeongsang province in South Korea.

Goseong-gun can be traced back to the history of dinosaurs. The history of dinosaurs in Goseong Dinosaur Museum, Korea's first museum specializing in dinosaurs, as well as dinosaur footprints remaining on coastal rocks near Sangjokam Rock, are indispensable. Hakdong Village, which has a nice old stone wall, is good for walking lightly.

Goseong County is widely recognized as one of the world's primary dinosaur footprint sites, featuring roughly 5,000 individual tracks distributed across the region. To research and preserve these prehistoric fossil resources while promoting public understanding of the global environment, the local government established the Goseong Dinosaur Museum within Sangjogam County Park in Hai-myeon that opened in 2004.

Goseong-gun has a warm and rainy oceanic climate on the southern coast, with an average temperature of 2.0℃ in January, 26.5℃ in August, and an annual average temperature of 14.5℃, with a small annual difference. The average annual precipitation is 1,334mm, which is generally large. Therefore, orchid plants such as camellia trees and Sancho trees are growing in the coastal area.

Goseong-gun is famous as a tourist destination related to dinosaurs. Until the early 1990s, it was a place where there were no few notable tourist attractions. However, since the discovery of dinosaur footprints due to an academic survey in 1982, the name Goseong has become known as it has attracted domestic and international attention. Among them, Sangjokam County Park was a swamp of lakes 150 million years ago, and more than 2,000 of the world's largest dinosaur footprints have been found, making it one of the world's top three dinosaur sites along with Colorado in the U.S. and the western coast of Argentina.

In addition, the Dinosaur Expo is held, and the dinosaur footprint of the Mesozoic Era is a major tourist item. It is said to be quite helpful in the tourism revenue of Goseong.

Danghangpo in Hoehwa-myeon, famous for Admiral Yi Sun-shin's Battle of Danghangpo, is also famous. It is a wonderful place to see the cool sea and coast. In addition, Danghangpo is the place where the dinosaur expo mentioned above is held. In particular, Danghangpo is a camping site that has attracted attention in the camping world. Facilities such as toilets and showers are rated the best among camping sites in the country.

34.981608128.327031 Goseong Bus Terminal exists in Goseong-eup, the center of Goseong.

Local farming and fishing village buses operate throughout Goseong-gun to serve rural areas. Additionally, during the Dinosaur Expo, a direct route from Changwon to Danghangpo is operated by Goseong Bus, the exclusive local operator.

Intercity buses from Goseong Passenger Terminal connect to various other regions. The highest frequency of buses connects to Tongyeong, followed by Jinju and Masan (2026).

The basic taxi fare is ₩4,000 for the first 2 km, with subsequent fares of ₩100 per 133 m and ₩100 per 33 seconds. The late-night surcharge of 20% applies from 23:00 to 04:00 (June 2026).

Goseong-gun lies on the Tongyeong–Daejeon Expressway, between Jinju and Tongyeong. The Goseong IC exit, between the Donggoseong IC and Yeonhwasan IC exits, serves the county seat (Goseong-eup).

• Bus fares are ₩1,200 in cash or ₩1,100 using a transportation card (T-money, Cashbee, etc.), and free transfers are generally not supported for local buses in Goseong (June 2026).

• The basic fare for regular taxis is ₩5,000, with additional surcharges applied according to time and distance (June 2026).

A car is the most practical way to reach outlying attractions such as Sangjokam County Park and Danghangpo Tourist Site, which have limited local bus service. Free or low-cost parking is available at most major sights.

• Goseong is adjacent to the beach, so it would be good to travel with your feet while looking at the natural scenery. However, the entire Goseong area is very large, so I recommend traveling by car.

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  34.909078128.1540831 Sangjokam County Park (상족암군립공원), 42-23 Deokmyeong 5-gil, Hai-myeon, ☏ +82 55-832-9021, +82 55-670-4451. Open 24/7. It is a county park located on the coast of Deokmyeong-ri, Ha-myeon. Sangjokam Beach belongs to Hallyeohaesang National Park, and Namildae Beach is nearby. The dinosaur's footprints remain clear, so it's fun to watch while taking a walk. Admission is free.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.974714128.1690362 Grace Garden (그레이스가든), 1312-71, Samsang-ro, Sangni-myeon, ☏ +82 55-673-1803. 08:00-19:00. Dongsan Gracejeongwon, opened on June 25, 2020. During 15 years, various kinds of trees were planted. It's a unique beautiful garden. Keep your admission ticket — showing it at the on-site café gets you a free drink. A valid ID or other proof is required for any discounted or free admission (child, senior, disability, national merit, or Goseong-gun resident); without it, the standard rate applies. ₩6,000-10,000 (adults ₩10,000; teens, adult groups, seniors 65+, people with disabilities, and national merit recipients ₩8,000; children 3+ and Goseong-gun residents ₩6,000; under 3 free).  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.967887128.2997433 Dino Ostrich Land (공룡타조랜드), 102-30, Buram-gil, Goseong-eup, ☏ +82 507-1391-3288. Fri-Sun 10:00-18:00, also open on public holidays. It is Gyeongsang-do's largest dinosaur ostrich experience/tourism ranch. You can spend a healing time relaxing for a while by watching strange dinosaur ostrich, seeing other animals, and feeding them. ₩11,000.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.960319128.3855214 Manhwa Bangcho (만화방초), 82-64, Eunhwang-gil, Georyu-myeon, ☏ +82 10-3870-1041. Tue-Sun 09:00-18:00. Manhwa Bangcho is a garden where the breath of nature is alive, with a comfortable garden and the necessary amount of human touch. It is a nature-friendly garden that allows you to heal and heal your tired body and mind at any time. ₩4,000.  (updated Oct 2023)

• 34.900947128.1906255 Donghwa Fishery Village (동화 어촌체험마을), 203, Donghwa 1-gil, Hail-myeon, ☏ +82 10-4022-2122, +82 55-673-8054. 09:00-17:00. A working fishing village where visitors can dig for clams on the tidal flats, join a torch-lit outing to catch octopus and live prawns, gather sea snails (godung), or go out on a small motorized fishing boat, in addition to walking a coastal trail. Nearby Mongdol Beach offers a range of marine life and views over Hallyeosudo (Hallyeo Waterway). In the middle of the village stand the remains of Soeulbipo Fortress (소을비포성), a supply base for Admiral Yi Sun-sin's navy during the Imjin War. Longer fishing trips further offshore can also be arranged by boat. ₩10,000.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 35.058605128.3262126 Goseong Jangsan Forest (고성 장산 숲), 230-2, Jangsan-ri, Maam-myeon. An artificial forest in Jangsan-ri, Maam-myeon. It was designated as a Gyeongsangnam-do Monument on May 19, 1987. At the time of construction (Joseon), the length of the forest was said to have reached more than 1 km, but now it is about 100 m and 60 m wide, and the area is about 5,950 m², including the pond. More than 250 trees make up the forest, including zelkova, seopoeia, pine tree, gumnorinjae, and gumpink tree, and deciduous broad-leaved trees in the southern temperate region of Korea are the main species. This forest was created to compensate for the geographical defects here, and it is a heritage that gives a glimpse of the old ancestors' natural wisdom. Free.  (updated Oct 2023)
• 34.979341128.3208287 Goseong Museum (고성 박물관), 80, Songhak-ro 135beon-gil, Goseong-eup, ☏ +82 55-670-5822. 09:00-18:00. Starting with the Sogaya Antiquities Exhibition Hall, it is named the Goseong Museum, promoting the history and cultural properties of Goseong. It also delivers detailed historical information of Goseong through special exhibitions. Free.  (updated Oct 2023)
• 35.05944128.3993538 Danghangpo Tourist Site (당항포관광지), 1116, Danghangman-ro, Hoehwa-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1359-4505. 09:00-22:00. In 1981, the county residents gathered their will to create the site with donations, and in 1984, it was designated as a national tourist destination and opened in November 1987. Danghangpo Tourist Site, the driving site of Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo, Korea's first natural history expo, is a family-type multi-purpose tourist destination where you can experience marine leisure sports, pensions, and auto camping sites. ₩7,000.  (updated Oct 2023)
• 34.9081128.14869 Goseong Dinosaur Museum (고성공룡박물관), 618, Jaranman-ro, Hai-myeon, ☏ +82 55-670-4451. 09:00-18:00 (Mar-Oct), 09:00-17:00 (Nov-Feb); ticket sales end 1 hour before closing; closed Mondays (except when a public holiday falls on a Mon), New Year's Day, and Lunar New Year/Chuseok holidays. Korea's first museum dedicated to dinosaurs, built around the fossilized dinosaur footprints found along the nearby coastline. The four-story building houses five exhibition halls and a video room covering the region's paleontological history. ₩3,000 adults (19-64), ₩2,000 teenagers/military, ₩1,500 children (3-12); free for Goseong residents, seniors 65+, and people with disabilities.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 34.976988128.3158781 CGV Goseong (CGV고성), 58 Songhak-ro, Goseong-eup. Tue-Su 10:00-22:00, closed Mondays. A small, county-operated cinema run on consignment with CGV — the only movie theater in Goseong-gun. Two screens, opened October 2020.  

In Goseong, festivals using local specialties and relics are held.  As it is an area where many dinosaur fossils exist, dinosaur-related festivals are held, and the most famous festival is the Dinosaur World Expo. Goseong is an area on the beach where a lot of seafood is produced. In particular, scallops and sea squirts are produced a lot. As more than 70% of Korea's scallop production is handled by Goseong, the scallop festival is also famous.

• Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo: 22 September – 01 November 2026. A large-scale dinosaur and paleontology-themed expo held at Danghangpo Tourist Site, marking its 20th edition in 2026, with life-size dinosaur models, exhibitions, and family activities.
• Goseong Scallops Seafood Festival: October, In Goseong seaside. Various seafood tasting events, experience events, market events.
• Goseong Toru Muk Festival: Held in early December, there are various events such as fishing for sandfish, auctions, and watching the cooking sunrise.

As of 2023, there are its own downtown, quite a few cultural facilities such as coin karaoke rooms and general sports facilities, and many convenience stores. However, it is not a place that has been developed for a long time, but at night, you can see people drinking, and middle and high school students walk around.

Also, people are often seen walking around in work clothes, most of which are workers working in special shipbuilding and offshore industrial zones related to offshore plants. Thanks to the special shipbuilding and marine industry zone, there are also foreign workers. If you walk down the street, you may hear the languages of many countries.

Goseong is famous for strawberries. Strawberries, which were eco-friendly in Goseong, are one of the most famous in the country. If you visit Goseong, it would be good to eat strawberries or try strawberry-related foods.

In addition, Goseong is famous for agricultural and fishery products such as zucchini, chwinamul, and sea squirt. Therefore, Korean restaurants made of organic agricultural and fishery products are popular in Goseong. If you visit Goseong, I recommend visiting a Korean restaurant.

• 34.973841128.3240721 A very good restaurant (참좋은식당), 17, Seongnae-ro 143beon-gil, Goseong-eup, 1st floor, ☏ +82 55-674-0766. Daily 10:00-22:00. You can taste healthy Korean food with a new menu every day. Daily menu: ₩9,000.  (updated Oct 2023)

• 34.986632128.404132 Wang-chang-I (왕창이), Wangchangi Restaurant on 1F, 624, Geogyu-ro, Geogyu-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1487-7377. Closed on Wednesdays, from 11:00 to 21:00 on other days. Enjoy the taste of gochujang bulgogi from a famous family that has been running since the mid-1990s. You can enjoy the taste and cost-effectiveness at the same time. Hot red pepper paste bulgogi set cooked with briquettes: ₩12,000.  (updated Oct 2023)
• 34.986745128.244933 Dr. Jajang (짜장박사), 949, Sangjeong-daero, Sangni-myeon, ☏ +82 55-674-6555. 10:00-20:30. It is a delicious Chinese restaurant selected as a model restaurant in Korea. Jajangmyeon and jjamppong are the main menus, and kkansho shrimp is a delicacy. Jajangmyeon ₩9,000, Jjambbong ₩11,000, Kkansho Shrimp ₩45,000.  (updated Nov 2023)
• 34.974785128.3263864 Sura Korean table d'hote (수라한정식), 148-13, Dongoe-ro, Goseong-eup, ☏ +82 55-674-0118. It's a Korean food restaurant. You can enjoy delicious meals with various side dishes. Korean table d'hote ₩13,000, Sura Korean table d'hote ₩18,000, Sura Special Korean tabel d'hote ₩40,000.  (updated Nov 2023)
• 34.972639128.3230925 Pungnyeonok (풍년옥), 75-7 Seongnae-ro 112beon-gil, Goseong-eup. 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00; closed Su and public holidays. A local favorite for kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), including versions with scallops or battered pan-fried meat, featured on KBS1's "Korean Table" (한국인의 밥상) in December 2021. ₩8,000-10,000.  

• 34.972374128.3238626 A large mainland family (본토대가), 17, Seongnae-ro 144beon-gil, Goseong-eup, ☏ +82 507-1428-4224. Daily 11:00-18:00. You can experience dishes made with famous snow crab and scallops in Goseong. Enjoy special dishes that can only be enjoyed in Korea. Soy Sauce Marinated Crab Set Menu ₩27,000, a scallop-jang set ₩17,000.  (updated Oct 2023)
• 35.045415128.3647787 Dino-gogi Shrimp (공룡고기새우), 687, Danghangman-ro, Maam-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1386-1960. 11:00-21:30. You can taste special dinosaur shrimp in Goseong. It is also a restaurant where you can taste domestic meat with shrimp and meat. 1 kg Dinosaur Shrimp changes every day, Shrimp 1 kg price changes every day, domestic raw pork belly 150 g ₩11,000 won.  (updated Nov 2023)

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  35.039378128.3553798 Seomjin Freshwater Eel (섬진강민물장어), 50, Bojeon 2-gil, Maam-myeon, ☏ +82 10-9555-8614. You can taste fresh freshwater eel, and you can taste a different taste of eel through grilled salt as well as deodeok seasoning. grilled salted freshwater eel ₩28,000, Freshwater eel with one sauce ₩33,000, Freshwater Eel Deodeok Seasoning Grilled ₩35,000.  (updated Nov 2023)

• 34.945759128.3335079 A spoonful of sunshine by the sea (바닷가에햇살한스푼), 157, Sinwol-ro, ☏ +82 507-1404-6160. It is a restaurant certified by the Naples Pizza Artisan Association. Enjoy luxurious food with the beautiful sea of Goseong. Grilled pork neck for grilled beef steak ₩24,000, Putanesca oil pasta ₩16,000, Basil Pesto Pasta ₩18,000, Sweet pumpkin pizza ₩22,000.  (updated Nov 2023)

• 34.905176128.1511361 Dyunggari Cafe (듕가리 카페), 618 Jaranman-ro, Hai-myeon, ☏ +82 55-670-4455. Mar-Oct 09:00-18:00 (last order 17:10); Nov-Feb 09:00-17:00 (last order 16:10). A panoramic-view cafe inside the Goseong Dinosaur Museum complex overlooking Jaran Bay, accessible without paying museum admission. Try the dinosaur-shaped cookie or the waffle. ₩2,000-6,000.  
• 34.988991128.4076012 Gogokjeong (고옥정), 54-7 Dangdong 5-gil, Georyu-myeon, ☏ +82 10-2684-8218. Tu-Sa 11:00-21:00 (last order 20:30); Su 11:00-19:00 (last order 18:30); closed Mo. A two-story hanok-style bakery cafe with ocean-view outdoor seating overlooking the coast, popular for photos. Serves coffee (including cream coffee, black sesame latte, matcha latte) and baked goods.  

• 35.058603128.4083731 Goseong Hansan Marina (고성 한산 마리나), 515 Hwahae-ro, ☏ +82 55-673-7997. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Enjoy the exclusive pool villa and luxury resort. There is also an exclusive yacht experience. ₩250,000-600,000 depending on the timing.  (updated Oct 2023)

• 35.057041128.3908232 Ocean Fore (오션포레), 321, Hwahae-ro, ☏ +82 55-672-5588. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Enjoy glamping at Gyeongsangnam-do's largest glamping site. Glamping, ₩100,000-200,000 for 2 people.  (updated Oct 2023)
• 34.952629128.3310653 Ocean Spa Hotel (오션스파호텔), 60 Sinwol-ro, Goseong-eup, ☏ +82 55-673-7781. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. You can see the sea from all the rooms. Look at the lake-like sea and find peace in your mind. Standard: ₩80,000-120,000, Twin Room: ₩80,000-120,000, Family Twin Room: ₩110,000-160,000, Spa Room : ₩110,000-160,000.  (updated Oct 2023)

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  34.913036128.1551864 Dinosaur Pension (공룡펜션), 719-4 Jaraman-ro, Ha-myeon, ☏ +82 55-854-3030. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Dinosaur Museum and Sangjokam County Park are located in front of the pension, which is good for sightseeing. ₩90,000-170,000.  (updated Oct 2023)

• 34.909181128.19657510 Pukyong University Fisheries Science and Technology Center, 63, Donghwa 3-gil, Hail-myeon, ☏ +82 51-629-4114.  (updated Oct 2023)

Emergency Numbers

• Police, ☏ 112. 
• Fire Department, ☏ 119. 

Goseong Bus Terminal, ☏ +82 1666-0081. (updated Nov 2023)

Since it is located in the middle of major cities in Gyeongsangnam-do, roads have been developed a lot from early on. Sacheon, Jinju, and Changwon are directly attached to each other.

There are many traffic exchanges with major cities in Gyeongsangnam-do such as Geoje and Tongyeong.

It connects Jinju and Tongyeong by penetrating Goseong southeast-northwest through the Tongyong Daejeon Expressway.

• Jinju: Jinju is a central city among the regions in the south of Korea. The town is cut in half by the Nam River (Namgang)
• Changwon: Changwon is the capital city of South Gyeongsang in South Korea, and incorporates the known harbor town of Masan. Changwon is the first of South Korea's few planned cities.
• Geoje: Dubbing itself the "Blue City", Geoje is more of an island than a city. It is in fact Korea's second largest island (only Jeju is larger) with a loose collection of villages and settlements scattered in coves around the coastline.
• Tongyeong: Tongyeong is a historical port city in South Gyeongsang. It is known throughout Korea for its picturesque harbor, a coastal city consisting of 192 islands that is full of exotic things to enjoy.