Taean 2-Day Itinerary 2026: Mallipo Beach & Observatory Views

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Places to Visit in Taean

Mallipo Beach

Mallipo Observation Tower

Photos. Text. Video © Seomtopia

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Hello everyone! Based in Yeongjongdo,

I'm a West Sea island travel guide and

travel creator, Seomtopia! :)

This time, my husband and I

went on a 1-night, 2-day trip to the West Sea.

What I remember most from this trip was

the course that led from the Observation Tower → Mallipo Beach →

Oil Spill Overcoming Memorial.

It was a truly memorable route.

In this post, I'll organize three must-visit spots in Taean

in the order I actually visited them,

along with our 1-night, 2-day itinerary.

First, let's watch a short video

👇 right here! :)

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1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary

Actual Route Summary

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This time, instead of trying to cram in too many tourist spots,

we decided to take our time exploring the Mallipo area.

Especially on the first day,

we didn't head straight down to the beach.

First, we surveyed the surroundings from a high vantage point,

and then headed to the places we wanted to explore on foot.

Check the entire landscape from the observatory

→

Choose places to visit from below

→

Experience the sand and sea firsthand

Best of all, since it was a 1-night, 2-day trip, not a day trip,

we didn't have to rush, calculating the time to head back after sunset.

That was really nice.

When you're looking for places to visit in Taean,

instead of trying to see many places all in one day,

consider spending the first day exploring the Mallipo area,

staying overnight nearby,

and then connecting to one more spot the next day.

Compare these options.

💙 Seomtopia's Tip

First, see the whole area from the observatory

→ then decide which places to explore on foot.

First, We Climbed the Observation Tower

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On this trip,

the very first place I headed to was

the Mallipo Observation Tower.

Its official name is the Mallipo Observation Tower.

Honestly, from the beginning,

I wasn't expecting this place to be the highlight.

As we were moving along the coast,

it was more of a casual thought, “Shall we go up and take a look?”

It was close to where we had just been.

But once we actually went up there,

the view was much wider than I expected.

And here's something I realized for the first time!

Manripo Beach's sandy shore was *this* vast!

Unlike looking from below,

from this elevated spot,

I could see the long stretch of the beach

and the ocean all in one glance.

And from here, our next destination

naturally revealed itself.

Originally, after seeing the view,

we might have moved on to a different spot,

but looking down from above actually made me

want to go and experience it firsthand.

So, our next stop was

Manripo Beach.

Category	Details
Name	Manripo Observatory Tower
Admission Fee	Free
Viewing Time	Approximately 20-30 minutes
Access	Elevator available
Recommended For	Coastal views, photography, short visits
Combine With	Manripo Beach

And if it's your first time visiting Manripo,

it's a fantastic starting point to get your bearings.

It was perfect for that.

If you're only checking out the Manripo Observatory, it's a quick visit.

But if you're planning to head down to the beach,

I highly recommend going up first!

After seeing the entire coastline from above,

it becomes much easier to decide where to walk

once you're down on the sand.

The Ocean from Above,

Walking Manripo Beach

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After descending from the observatory,

we headed directly to the ocean we had just gazed upon from above.

I particularly loved this sequence of events.

From up high,

the entire coastline seemed like a single, grand landscape.

But down below, you truly get to feel the sheer scale of the space

with your own body.

Oh!

And the sand was quite fine.

Even after taking off our shoes and walking slowly,

the feeling on our bare feet wasn't rough at all.

So, we naturally decided

to walk all the way to where the waves meet the shore.

Just a little while ago, from the observatory,

I looked down and thought, "Wow, the sandy beach is quite wide!"

But standing on it firsthand,

the perceived scale was totally different.

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Eventually, we made it to the water's edge,

dipped our feet in the ocean,

and walked slowly with my husband.

It's because of this moment that

I would highly recommend the observatory → beach order.

First, you get a bird's-eye view of the entire scale from the observation deck,

Then, walking directly on the white sand beach

that I had just gazed down upon,

it doesn't feel like you're just seeing the same place twice.

From up high, you take in the sheer scale of the coastline,

and then down below, you embark on a path where you get to walk that very distance yourself.

While splashing around might be the main goal in the heart of summer,

in late summer or early autumn,

it's perfectly fine if you don't even go for a swim.

Just strolling along the white sandy beach,

or even just gently dipping your toes,

is more than enough to truly experience the ocean.

💙 Seomtopia's Pick!

If you're just visiting the observation deck, plan for about 20-30 minutes. But if you extend your adventure to Mallipo Beach, definitely set aside at least 1-2 hours to truly soak it all in.

Personally, I highly recommend connecting these two spots rather than seeing them as separate visits.

One Night's Stay, Then Onto the Next Day

Oil Spill Recovery Memorial Hall

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After a wonderful day exploring the coast,

we headed to our accommodation and spent the night.

If we had just spent our time at Mallipo and then had to rush back to the city,

I probably would have been constantly checking my watch,

feeling the pressure to move quickly.

But deciding to stay overnight nearby made all the difference.

We could spend ample time by the sea, and the transition to our accommodation felt much more relaxed.

And the next morning,

we headed towards the Oil Spill Recovery Memorial Hall.

Actually, this wasn't a place I just stumbled upon by chance this time.

From the moment I decided to visit this area,

I knew I absolutely had to visit.

I still vividly remember seeing the state of Taean's sea on the news when I was in school.

That haunting scene of the ocean completely engulfed in a thick, black oil.

And seeing countless volunteers

tirelessly scrubbing oil from the coastline was something I witnessed through the news back then.

I also remembered stories of people from all over the nation coming to lend a hand,

and how the local community put in years of effort to bring the sea back to life.

So, when I finally came to Taean myself this time,

I knew I couldn't just pass by without a visit.

The day before, we climbed up to the observation deck and gazed out at the beautiful, blue ocean.

Then, we descended to the beach,

feeling the soft sand between our bare toes,

and even ran to the water's edge with my husband,

wading in the waves.

But stepping into this memorial hall the very next day,

the ocean we had enjoyed so casually the day before

suddenly looked a little different to me.

The Taean sea that we're looking at right now wasn't always

naturally this way

from the beginning.

For some, it was a disaster they experienced firsthand,

and it's also a testament to our history, a place countless people

came together to restore.

That's why I don't want to simply introduce the Oil Spill Overcoming Memorial Hall

as merely 'a good indoor attraction for a rainy day.'

On DAY 1,

you soak in the present-day beauty of Mallipo, and on

DAY 2,

you journey through the time that sea has endured.

In my 1-night, 2-day itinerary,

placing this spot at the very end

actually made me reflect deeply on

all the landscapes I had seen before.

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💙 Seomtopia TIP

Rather than just 'one more sight to see,' try positioning this place at the end of your itinerary. It serves as a powerful spot that adds a profound story to the Taean sea you’ve already experienced.

So, Who is This Course For?

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This itinerary is less for those who bounce between multiple amusement facilities, and more for...

Those who wish to slowly absorb the tranquil sea views,

Lovers of scenic drives along the West Sea,

Couples planning a romantic 1-night, 2-day getaway,

It will likely be a perfect fit for you.

Conversely, if your goal is to pack as many famous sights as possible

into a single day, this itinerary might feel a little too relaxed.

Looking at each individual spot in Taean, this isn't what you'd call

a flashy, high-energy itinerary.

If you crave a panoramic view from above → Mallipo Observatory

If you want to feel the sand beneath your feet and truly connect with the sea → Mallipo Beach

If you prefer to explore without being rushed by time → A 1-night stay

If you're eager to discover the historical narrative of Taean's sea → The Memorial Hall

Especially if you're planning to visit the West Sea,

I recommend a different approach than my initial one: first,

take in the entire landscape from the observation tower, and only then

descend to walk directly on the sandy beach.

When you take in the full panorama of Mallipo from above before heading down,

you'll find it much easier to appreciate how the beach stretches

and connects with the surrounding scenery.

If you wish to seamlessly transition from breathtaking views to a leisurely stroll,

try arranging your itinerary in this sequence.

Wishing you all safe travels today!

I'll be back with my next travel story :)