A facility built to improve working conditions for elderly Haenyeo (traditional female divers of Jeju) is drawing fresh attention as a local tourist attraction.
Seogwipo City said an access-route improvement project designed to support the safe working environment of aging Haenyeo has recently attracted interest from visitors and photography enthusiasts, becoming popularly known as the “Sea Railroad Path.”
Installed in 2024, the facility features a shellfish transport rail system along the fishing-ground access route. The project was introduced to prevent accidents during the transport of harvested seafood and to ease the physical burden on elderly Haenyeo. The rail connects coastal work areas to communal Haenyeo facilities, allowing shellfish such as turban shells to be moved more safely and efficiently from the sea.
The long stretch of rails running alongside the ocean resembles a railway track, giving rise to the nickname “Sea Railroad Path.” Its distinctive scenery—where linear rails meet the blue sea—has spread widely through social media, drawing growing attention from tourists. Numerous photos and videos taken at the site have been shared on platforms such as Instagram.
Originally, the facility was created for practical purposes: to reduce the physical strain on elderly Haenyeo who previously carried heavy shellfish by hand, and to prevent accidents on slippery coastal terrain. Over time, however, the site’s unique coastal landscape has led it to be naturally rediscovered as a tourism resource rooted in the real lives and labor of Haenyeo.
Seogwipo City expects the project to have positive effects beyond improving Haenyeo welfare and working conditions, including increased local income and an enhanced regional image. The site is considered especially meaningful because it is not an artificially developed tourist attraction, but a space that emerged directly from the daily work environment of Haenyeo.
A city official said the project is a notable example of how policies aimed at improving Haenyeo working conditions can also generate unexpected tourism benefits, adding that the city will continue to strengthen practical support while promoting both the preservation of Haenyeo culture and regional revitalization.
Meanwhile, as the “Sea Railroad Path” remains an active working area for Haenyeo, Seogwipo City urged visitors to exercise caution and show consideration to prevent accidents and ensure smooth fishing operations.
Source: Seogwipo City
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