Gatbawi

Wikimedia Commons

Gatbawi

group of rocks

Gatbawi is a natural sandstone tafoni rock formation on the east harbour shore near the Yeongsan River mouth in South Jeolla, South Korea. Travelers come to see the hat-shaped 'father and son' rocks, coastal views and the local legends that surround them.

Gatbawi JeonjuGwangjuSuncheonYeosuMokpoNaejangsan National ParkDadohaehaesang National ParkJindoGatbawi

Gatbawi essentials

Address: East Harbor, Mokpo, South Jeolla, South Korea

Gatbawi is a small group of tafoni sandstone formations on the shore at the mouth of the Yeongsan River; the two main rocks are traditionally called Jeongbawi and Satgatbawi and are nicknamed the ‘father’ and ‘son’. The larger formations stand about 6 to 8 meters high and show the rounded, honeycombed cavities typical of tafoni weathering.

The name gatbawi literally means ‘hat rock’ and refers to the shape that resembles a traditional Korean bamboo rain hat. Local folk legends say the rocks came from the hats of monks who rested there or from a grieving son who wore a bamboo hat in mourning.

Gatbawi is counted among the ‘8 famous spots of Mokpo’ and was designated Natural Monument Number 500 in April 2009. A pedestrian bridge built in 2008 now links the shore to the rocks; before that the site was reachable only by small ferry.

Visiting is straightforward and usually brief: people come for close-up views of the carved sandstone, coastal photography at low tide and sunset, and to enjoy the quiet shoreline rather than a large developed park.

  • Jeongbawi and Satgatbawi: The two hat-shaped sandstone rocks are close together and are the central feature for photos and folklore.
  • Bohaenggyo pedestrian bridge: The small footbridge gives direct access to the rocks and good framing for seascape shots.
  • Yeongsan estuary views: Wide coastal and estuary vistas are best at low tide and around sunset for dramatic light.
  • Tafoni details: Close inspection reveals the smooth concave hollows and honeycombed surfaces that characterize tafoni weathering in sandstone.
  • Shorebird and tidal-flat life: The nearby intertidal areas attract birds and illustrate the coastal ecology of the Yeongsan mouth.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Gatbawi#

Spring and autumn generally offer the most pleasant weather for visiting; summer brings hot, wet monsoon conditions and can be rainy.

Spring (best)
March - May · 2°C - 23°C (36°F - 73°F)
Temperatures are mild and coastal breezes are pleasant, making it a comfortable time for walking and photography.
Autumn (best)
September - November · 5°C - 27°C (41°F - 81°F)
Clearer skies and cooling temperatures provide good visibility and crisp light for seascapes, though early autumn can still carry residual rain.
Summer (monsoon - avoid if possible)
June - August · 17°C - 30°C (63°F - 86°F)
Summer is hot and brings the heaviest rainfall of the year, with the peak monsoon months bringing frequent downpours and reduced visibility.

Weather & Climate near Gatbawi#

Climate

Gatbawi's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1188 mm/year), wettest in July.

Air Quality: AQI 65 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
OctoberMaySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable -3° - 6° -2° 33 mm partly cloudy 75% 3.4 m/s 0.4 low 10.0h
February Acceptable -2° - 7° -1° 45 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.8 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Good 2° - 12° 4° 61 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.8h
April Very Good 7° - 18° 13° 88 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.6 m/s 1.2 high 12.9h
May Very Good 13° - 23° 18° 94 mm partly cloudy 83% 3.4 m/s 1.4 high 13.8h
June Good 17° - 26° 22° 180 mm overcast 86% 3.1 m/s 1.4 high 14.3h
July Good 22° - 29° 25° 227 mm overcast 90% 3.0 m/s 1.5 very high 14.1h
August Very Good 23° - 30° 26° 190 mm partly cloudy 87% 3.2 m/s 1.6 very high 13.3h
September Very Good 18° - 27° 22° 138 mm partly cloudy 82% 3.0 m/s 1.2 high 12.3h
October Very Good 11° - 22° 17° 53 mm some cloud 76% 3.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Good 5° - 15° 8° 51 mm partly cloudy 76% 3.2 m/s 0.5 low 10.2h
December Good 0° - 9° 1° 28 mm partly cloudy 75% 3.3 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Gatbawi#

The nearest city is Mokpo; reach the port city by intercity train to Mokpo Station or by regional bus services. From Mokpo city centre Gatbawi is a short taxi or local-bus ride to the east harbour area.

Once at the shore the rocks are reached on foot via the Bohaenggyo pedestrian bridge that extends over the water; previously the formation was only accessible by ferry, so check local access notes in case of high tides or maintenance closures.

Tips for Visiting Gatbawi#

  • Check the tide and weather before visiting - exposed rocks and the bridge can be slippery when wet.
  • Respect the site as a designated natural monument and avoid climbing on the rock formations.
  • Facilities at the immediate site are limited, so bring water and plan food in Mokpo.
  • Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photography and tends to be less crowded.
  • Combine a visit with other Mokpo shoreline sights and the wider Yeongsan tidal-flats if you have time.