Gatbawi Rock, Mokpo

Gatbawi stands on the shore of eastern Mokpo where the Yeongsan River meets the sea. The two rocks look like people wearing conical bamboo hats (gat), which gave them their name. A walkway laid over the water lets you see them up close, and at night the lights come on and locals come out for a stroll. It is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Mokpo.

How the rocks formed

Gatbawi is a tafoni formation. Water seeping into cracks changes in volume, and the resulting pressure loosens the rock grain by grain; once a hollow starts, its shaded interior holds more moisture and the hole grows faster. At this estuary, where salt and fresh water mix, weathering and wave erosion worked together to carve a shape like human faces. Recognised as a natural sculpture untouched by human hands, it was designated a Natural Monument in 2009 and renamed "Tafoni of Gatbawi Rock in Mokpo" in 2021.

Two legends

• The devoted son: A poor young man caring for his sick father left home to earn money for medicine, was cheated of his wages, and came back to find his father dead. Carrying the coffin, he dropped it into the sea. Saying he could no longer face the sky, he put on a bamboo hat and stood there begging forgiveness until he died, after which the two rocks rose.
• The monks: Another story says an enlightened monk crossing the Yeongsan River rested here and left his hat and staff behind, and they turned to stone. The larger rock is sometimes called the father and the smaller the son, and the name "monk rock" is also used.

What to look for

• The faces: Up close, the rock surface is pitted with honeycomb-like hollows of all sizes. The tops jut out like hat brims over deeply eroded bases, so from some angles they look like people with bowed heads.
• The estuary: From the walkway you look across the mouth of the Yeongsan River to the far shore and the boats on the water. At low tide the rocks and mud at the base are exposed, showing the lower parts of the formation.

The floating walkway

A floating pedestrian bridge runs along the riverbank in front of the rocks. It rises about 1 m at high tide and sinks with the water at low tide. From the bridge you can see how waves and currents wear the rock away, which makes it a good open-air science lesson for children.

Nearby

• Mokpo Modern History Museum: The former Japanese Consulate and Oriental Development Company buildings in the old town, telling the modern history of the port city.
• Yudalsan: The hill rising behind the old town where the history museum stands, easy to combine with a walk through its lanes.
• Pyeonghwa Plaza: A seaside square close to Gatbawi that combines well with it for an evening walk.

Tripto tips

• Hours: The walkway is open 06:00–23:00 and free. It is closed in typhoons, heavy rain, snow or dense fog.
• When to go: By day the texture and hollows of the rock are clearest; after dark the lighting changes the mood entirely. Coming twice is an option.
• Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes to walk the bridge and see the rocks. Combine it with the seafront promenade at nearby Pyeonghwa Plaza for an evening outing.
• Watch out: The deck gets slippery when wet, so avoid high heels.