A celestial island getaway from the stars — step into a Korean drama scene on Korea’s “Snake Island”!

Reporter Cai Wenjun / Reported and photographed in South Korea

Korean dramas are all the rage, making many of their filming locations popular tourist spots in South Korea. Located offshore from Tongyeong, "Snake Island" became a viral sensation after serving as a filming site for both "My Love from the Star" and "Uncontrollably Fond." The island is covered with lush greenery and boasts vibrant flower fields in all four seasons, along with breathtaking, endless ocean views that make visitors feel as if they’re in a fairy-tale seascape.

▲ Snake Island was a filming location for the Asia-wide hit Korean drama "My Love from the Star."

▲ What kind of exciting feast is hidden in this food box?

Covering a total area of over 390,000 square meters and stretching 1.9 kilometers in length, Snake Island is a natural seascape marine park. To get to the island, visitors must take a boat from Tongyeong. Since the boarding and return docks are located at two different points on the island, each passenger is issued a boarding pass by the boat captain. This pass must be presented to board the return boat by a designated time. Visitors typically spend about 1.5 hours on the island from arrival to departure.

▲ The Snake Island boarding dock; the dock to return to Tongyeong is on the other side of the island.

▲ You need a pass to board the boat back to Tongyeong.

▲ Snake Island features rich vegetation and sculptures.

▲ The famous camellia blossom path, a popular filming spot.

▲ There are signs on the island for Korean dramas, allowing visitors to take photos.

To explore Snake Island, you can only walk along stone-paved paths. Along the way, you’ll find abundant plants and statues, with undulating slopes offering varied sea views. You can also stroll along long observation decks to admire other islands scattered like pearls across the sea.

▲%The rice here has a very rich umami taste.

▲%That is, the view from the seat is also quite nice.

To help visitors take photos, every spot featured in Korean dramas has an informational signboard, allowing guests to shoot from the same angle and feel like they’re part of the drama — making it a must-visit destination in South Gyeongsang Province.

▲%The refreshing feeling of this place is really amazing. Many people even relax and chat here.

Snake Island
Address: 55, Snake Island-gil, Ham-san-myeon, Tongyeong-si, South Gyeongsang Province (Ham-san-myeon)