Maemiseong or Maemi Castle or Maemi Fortress in Geoje Island, South Korea.
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Maemi Seong, is named after typhoon, “Maemi” in 2003. The typhoon severely affected the island’s plant life. And “Seong” is a Korean word which means “Castle”.
So if you talk with Korean friends, they call this Maemiseong (매미성).
I don’t think it’s a good idea to visit Maemiseong during the day time in Summer (July-September) in South Korea, it will be super hot & humid!
I found this Maemi Castle from watching local tourist YouTubers that traveled from Busan by bus (~40mins) to visit this castle.
From Okpo where we live in Geoje Island. It’s only 10km or 5-7mins drive to the Maemi Castle.
There is a small free parking area, we got there before it’s getting too crowded. There is also a clean public bathroom!
The entrance of Maemi Castle.
In 2003, Geoje Island was damaged by typhoon “Maemi” and this castle was built by Peak Soon Sam.
This is a landmark hotdog shop (Baram Hotdog, there are many branches in Geoje island/Tongyeong), just to make sure that you come to the right place for Maemi Castle.
10am on Sunday, it’s getting crowded already.
Many coffee shops, restaurants all the way down to the Castle (Fortress).
Amazing bushes…
It’s a cute little tourist town road…
Not a long walk, you will see the castle right in front of the ocean.
The castle was built by only one man, Peak Soon Sam.
He wanted to build just the fort to protect his homeland since Maemi typhoon left so much damage. He had no construction plan or design but once he put all the rocks together, he popped up the idea to build it like a Western castle. And it becomes the castle!
That’s why this Maemi castle is not like other castles in Korea!
The view is magnificent!!!
If you come here on a nice clear day, you will see a nice view of bridges in the background…today is a little foggy but still beautiful.
It wasn’t a big or tall castle, but it’s an amazing job by one local guy who builds this by his own idea and low technology!
Me, on top of the castle!
Now, the castle is more than 16 years old…
The popular picture style for Korean people at Maemi Castle if you search for #매미성, #거제도 (hashtag Maemiseong and Geoje do)
If you are here during the busy and crowded day, you will see that many tourists line up to take picture at this spot.
Now it becomes a unique and interesting tourist destination. It’s getting even more popular when it’s on the Korean TV show!
Cr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV_4Z5_0v-k
We can see Isodo Island from here.
To get to the Isodo (ee-su-do) Island, we have to go to Sibang Village for the ferry pier.
At Maemi Castle, try Ice-cream covered with toasted marshmallow (~$5 each 구워 먹는 마시멜로우 아이스크림 5000won).
Yum!, it’s crispy outside but soft and cold inside, good combination!
FYI: If you are looking for coffee and puffy pancakes, try Geojedo Cafe, Rooftop Cafe Stage (STAY.G), I saw many reviews on Instagram!
FYI: Sibang Village (Opposite Maemiseong).
The ferry ticket sells in Sibang Village (시방마일) to Isodo Island. It is a fun trip if you can take the ferry to visit Isodo Island after visited Maemiseong.
But for us, we will try it next time…
Geoje is a beautiful island. Have fun.
Thank you two for being amazing enough to make the website. We’ve been using your guide to visit some of the places here in Geoje.