Travel Guide
A road-connected island known for Korean modern art, purple-themed island walks and quiet countryside scenery. Anjwado is a convenient base for exploring central Sinan, from the birthplace of painter Kim Whanki to the famous Purple Island of Banwoldo and Bakjido.
Art, island roads
and a world of purple
Anjwado Island is one of the central islands of Sinan County in southwest Korea. Thanks to the road and bridge network linking the central Sinan islands, visitors can reach Anjwado by car without taking a ferry for a standard sightseeing trip.
Anjwado is closely associated with Kim Whanki, one of the pioneers of Korean abstract art. His birthplace in Eupdong-ri has been preserved, making the island especially interesting for travelers who enjoy art and cultural history.
The island is also the gateway to Purple Island, the neighboring islands of Bakjido and Banwoldo. From Duri on Anjwado, long pedestrian bridges cross the tidal flats to villages, walking trails and landscapes transformed by the area’s signature purple theme.
How to Get to
Anjwado Island
Anjwado Island is connected to the central Sinan road network, so a ferry is not required for a normal trip from the mainland. This makes it one of the easier Sinan islands to include in a road trip.
Head toward Sinan
Travel from Mokpo and the mainland toward the central islands of Sinan. The road route continues across the island bridge network.
Continue through the connected islands
Follow the road through the central Sinan island group toward Anjwado. Navigation is straightforward by car, but allow extra time for a relaxed island drive.
Arrive on Anjwado
Once on Anjwado, you can visit the Kim Whanki Birthplace and continue south toward Duri for the entrance to Purple Island.
Mainland → Central Sinan Islands → Anjwado → Kim Whanki Birthplace → Duri → Purple Island
No ferry is needed for a standard visit
Anjwado can be reached by road, which makes it easy to combine with nearby islands in the central Sinan area. If you plan to continue from Anjwado to islands that still require a ferry, check the latest sailing information separately.
Best Places to Visit
around Anjwado
Anjwado combines modern Korean art, island heritage and one of Sinan’s most recognizable walking destinations.
Kim Whanki Birthplace
Kim Whanki was one of the pioneering figures of Korean abstract painting. His traditional childhood home in Eupdong-ri is preserved as an important cultural property and offers a quiet introduction to the island that shaped his early life.
View on Google Maps →Purple Island
Banwoldo and Bakjido, located just south of Anjwado, are together known as Purple Island. Purple roofs, paths, bridges and seasonal plants create one of Sinan’s most distinctive island landscapes.
View on Google Maps →Purple Bridge
The pedestrian bridges beginning near Duri on Anjwado connect the mainland-side island with Bakjido and Banwoldo. Walking above the tidal flats is one of the signature experiences of a visit to this part of Sinan.
View on Google Maps →Bakjido Island
Bakjido is reached on foot across the bridge from Anjwado. Village roads, walking trails and purple-themed scenery make it an easy place to explore slowly.
View on Google Maps →Banwoldo Island
Banwoldo continues the Purple Island route beyond Bakjido. The island has village paths, coastal views and walking routes, making the full crossing much more than a quick photo stop.
View on Google Maps →Bangwol-ri Dolmens
Anjwado also preserves much older traces of human history. The dolmens at Bangwol-ri add an archaeological dimension to an island better known today for art and colorful tourism.
View on Google Maps →
Anjwado
Recommended Course
For a first visit, combine Kim Whanki’s birthplace with the Purple Island walking route. An overnight stay gives you more time to explore the surrounding villages and nearby islands.
A good first route is Kim Whanki Birthplace → Duri → Purple Bridge → Bakjido → Banwoldo → Anjwado. Allow plenty of time for the Purple Island section, especially if you plan to walk beyond the main bridge viewpoints.
Getting Around
Anjwado
A vehicle is convenient for moving between Anjwado’s main sights, while the Purple Island section is best explored on foot.
Vehicle
Driving is the most practical way to connect the Kim Whanki Birthplace, Duri and other areas of Anjwado.
Anjwado works especially well as part of a wider road trip through the connected central islands of Sinan.
Walking
Walking is essential for the Purple Bridge and the main visitor routes on Bakjido and Banwoldo.
Wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time for the return walk across the bridges.
Ferry Connections
Although a ferry is not required to reach Anjwado itself, ports around the island can be used to continue toward more remote Sinan islands.
If continuing by ferry, check the exact port, route and sailing conditions for your travel date.
Is Anjwado
Right for You?
Anjwado suits travelers who want a mix of modern art, colorful island scenery, easy road access and relaxed walking.
Kim Whanki’s birthplace adds an important cultural dimension to an island trip.
Anjwado is the gateway to the purple bridges, villages and walking routes of Bakjido and Banwoldo.
Road access makes Anjwado easy to combine with other connected islands in central Sinan.
The long pedestrian bridges and small island villages are ideal for an unhurried day outdoors.
What to Check Before
Visiting Anjwado
Anjwado itself is easy to reach by road, but walking conditions, Purple Island visitor information and onward ferry plans should still be checked before your trip.
Check the latest road and traffic conditions before traveling through Sinan.
Confirm Purple Island opening and visitor information for your travel date.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for the pedestrian bridges and island paths.
Prepare for strong sun and coastal wind, especially on exposed bridge sections.
If continuing to another island, check the exact ferry port and current schedule.
Allow enough time for the return walk from Purple Island.
Drive onto the island,
then walk into a world of purple.
Start with the birthplace of Kim Whanki, continue through Anjwado’s quiet countryside, and finish with a walk across the tidal flats to Bakjido and Banwoldo.
Explore more
Korean islands
If Anjwado is only the beginning of your island journey, continue with more English island guides from SEOMITTA. Compare different coastlines, travel styles and ferry-access islands before choosing your next destination.
From Korean abstract art
to a bridge painted purple
Anjwado offers several different island experiences in a single day. You can begin with the traditional home where Kim Whanki was born, then drive through quiet rural landscapes toward the southern coast.
From Duri, leave the car behind and walk across the sea toward Bakjido and Banwoldo, where bridges, villages and paths have become part of Sinan’s famous Purple Island.
An Anjwado Island trip is especially easy to combine with a wider journey through central Sinan, making it a good choice for travelers who want art, walking and island scenery without relying on a ferry for the main journey.