Yeongildae Beach

Yeongildae Beach is a city beach on the north side of Pohang, stretching 1,750 m along Yeongil Bay. Two sights make it different from other east-coast beaches: Yeongildae, a pavilion standing in the sea about 100 m offshore, and the steelworks lining the far side of the bay. Every year it also hosts the Pohang International Fireworks Festival.

From "North Beach" to Yeongildae Beach

The beach opened in 1976 and for decades was simply called Bukbu Beach, "North Beach", because it lies in the north of the city. After the Yeongildae pavilion was built over the water, the national place-names committee confirmed the new name in June 2013, and a renaming ceremony was held at the end of that month.

The sand runs for 1,750 m, is 40–70 m wide and covers about 380,000 m². It is fine and soft, which makes the beach popular with families. Showers, changing rooms and free parking are available along the seafront.

What to see

• Yeongildae: A two-storey traditional pavilion built on the water about 100 m offshore, opposite the Duho-dong community centre. Built in 2013 as the first pavilion in Korea to stand in the sea, it is a fine spot for watching the sunrise.
• Steelworks across the bay: Chimneys and plant stretch along the southern shore of Yeongil Bay. By day you get sea and industry in one frame; at night their lights reflect on the water.
• Pohang International Fireworks Festival: Pohang's best-known festival takes place on this beach each year, with fireworks raining down over the sea.
• Seafront road: Restaurants, cafés and hotels line the coastal road behind the sand. Behind the northern end of the beach is Hwanho Park with its Space Walk, a short walk from the sand.

A stage for festivals all year

In the summer season the beach hosts several events besides the fireworks festival, including the Pohang International Sea Performing Arts Festival, so it stays busy throughout the swimming season. A sea fountain stands offshore in front of the Sea City Hall building in the middle of the beach, and in 2025 a "Clock Tower of Light" with LED screens was added to the night-time scene.

Pohang Ferry Terminal, with boats to Ulleungdo, is in Hanggu-dong at the southern end, while the hill of Hwanho Park overlooks the sea to the north. That makes Yeongildae Beach a handy base for a stay in Pohang: hotels, restaurants and cafés line the seafront road, so an evening walk and dinner are easy to combine.

Tripto tips

• Swimming: The beach usually opens for swimming in July and August; Pohang City announces the exact dates each year. Water sports are banned up to 10 m beyond the swimming boundary.
• When to go: During the fireworks festival the beach and nearby roads are packed, so book accommodation and transport early. A winter walk on the empty sand, with the sunrise over Yeongil Bay, has its own charm.
• Time needed: About an hour for a stroll and the pavilion, half a day if you swim. Walk at dusk and you can watch the lights of the steelworks come on one by one across the bay.
• Getting there: The beach is about 4 km in a straight line from Pohang KTX Station, a short bus or taxi ride. Pohang Ferry Terminal, where boats leave for Ulleungdo, is just south of the beach.