Busan is home to many famous tourist destinations where you can spend an active weekend with your family, friends or lovers exploring both the mountains and the sea. Visit Songjeong Beach to enjoy marine sports; Taejongdae to see extraordinary coastal cliffs and rocks, and dense pine forests; Jangsan Mountain to watch the view of downtown Busan and the unique topographical features of this city; and Haeundae Beach to enjoy sea bathing in the bustling city atmosphere.
Busan also has many attractions where you can observe and explore nature with children. At the Nakdong Estuary Eco Centre, you can experience the ecology of the river and feel closer to nature. Ahopsan Forest, Igidae Park, and Taejongdae Recreation Area are all ideal places to enjoy a leisurely walk and admire beautiful landscapes. Forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a moment and wash away your stress in these remarkable places.
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Songjeong Beach
Enjoy surfing all year round
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Songjeong Beach, often called the mecca of surfing in Korea, is crowded with surfers all year round. With a nearby subway station, the beach can be easily reached by public transportation. Situated where the South and East Seas meet, the water is warm and shallow in all seasons, which is an optimal for surfing.
The beach also provides programs and facilities to safely enjoy various marine sports other than surfing, such as banana boating, jet skiing, skin scuba diving, and snorkelling, as well as a tidal flat experience. In midsummer, ride along the waves at Songjeong to cool off from the heat, and then visit Jukdo Island at the entrance to the beach. You can relax peacefully in this resting area surrounded by dense pine forests while admiring the picturesque view.
Location: Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Taejongdae
Coastal park featuring oddly shaped rocks
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Taejongdae is a rocky coastal park with a mysterious atmosphere where you can see sheer coastal cliffs and oddly shaped rocks, instead of a white sandy beach. Its hiking trail with a gentle slope leads you to a dense pine forest that commands an unobstructed view of the sea. On a clear and sunny day, you can even see Japan's Tsushima Island.
To take a tour of this large park, it is recommended to take a Danubi train. The train circulates around the park, and you can repeatedly hop on and hop off the train at any stop and explore the park conveniently. The observatory, the first stop of the train, is a must-see sightseeing point in Taejongdae. You can also have a simple meal at the cafeteria that serves popular snacks. Below the stairs next to the observatory stands Yeongdo Lighthouse, which has been in operation for over 100 years. Make you way to the lighthouse and see the cobalt blue South Sea a little closer.
Location: 24, Jeonmang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: Daily from 5 am to midnight
Phone: +82 (0)51-405-2004
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Jangsan Mountain
Appreciate the unique cityscape along the hiking trail
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Jangsan Mountain, which stands tall in Haeundae, Busan, offers a unique view of the city centre. There are various hiking trails along which you can enjoy taking a stroll while appreciating the scenery of Haeundae Marine City and Gwangandaegyo Bridge. The mountain is a versatile destination for an active holiday as it also features various attractions such as volcanic rocks and Jangsan Falls, as well as the scenery of the coastal city.
Hiking courses generally start from Daecheon Park. With a gentle slope, the trails stretch along the valley and allow even beginners to easily enjoy hiking. Take a brief tour of Pokposa Temple, a serene Buddhist shrine on the mountain and explore the talus slopes formed by rock fragments at the foot of the mountain. As you walk through the lush forest, you will come across a vast silver grass field that contrasts nicely with the blue sky. When you pass through the field and climb atop the mountain, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of downtown Busan including Haeundae and Gwangalli.
Location: Banyeo-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: 24/7
Mapphoto by Laurie Nevay (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
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Haeundae Beach
Experience various water sports at the city's iconic beach
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Haeundae is Busan's iconic beach that first comes to mind when you think of the city. The beach is well equipped with water sports facilities for a variety of activities such as kayaking, paddle surfing, jet skiing, and banana boating.
Yachting and cruising are popular with tourists looking for a new experience. Enjoy a luxurious buffet on a cruise and enjoy the city view of Busan during the day and the splendid nightscape at night. On a yacht tour, you can look around all the hot sightseeing spots in Busan, such as Haeundae and Gwangandaegyo Bridge, which spread out before your eyes like a panorama while you relax in the cool sea breeze. Don't forget to take superb pictures against the background of the beautiful sea. Busan seen from onboard a ship will present a more exotic impression of the city.
Location: Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Nakdong Estuary Eco Centre
Ecological research institute managing migratory bird habitats
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The Nakdong Estuary Eco Centre is an institution that sustainably preserves and manages Eulsukdo Migratory Bird Park, an ecological restoration site, and provides exhibitions, education, and experiential learning on the theme of ecology. Located in the key migratory bird habitats downstream of the Nakdongang River, it is the best place to observe winter migratory birds and the ecology of estuary wetlands.
The Nakdong Estuary Eco Centre is a good place to not only experience natural ecology, but also to educate children about nature. The centre runs programs for families with children, including observing migratory birds, tidal flats, insects, plants, and wetlands, as well as experiencing or learning about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. It is also recommended to visit nearby Eulsukdo Island, a wintering site for migratory birds, and the Amisan Observatory.
Location: 1240, Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-209-2000
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Busan Children's Grand Park
Ideal destination for a family excursion
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Busan Children's Grand Park is a popular destination for a family outing with locals, who feel nostalgic about this old park. First opened as an amusement park, it was once home to many rides. After the demolition of all the rides, it was renovated into the park it is today that is open to all free of charge. The park is equipped with various trails fitting for even young children and outdoor tables for picnickers. The park is a nice spot for healing where families with children can have a good time together.
The former Seongjigok Reservoir, located inside the park, is Korea's first concrete gravity dam and modern water supply facility built in 1909. The forest trail leading to the reservoir is well-shaded and gently sloped, making it a great place to take a leisurely stroll and admire the natural scenery.
Location: 295, Saessak-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: 24/7
Phone: +82 (0)51-860-7841
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Ahopsan Forest
Bamboo forest preserved for over 3 centuries
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Ahopsan Forest is a bamboo forest located in Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan. It is a historical place that has been managed for over 300 years by nine generations of the Midong Mun Clan, a branch to the Nampyeong Mun Clan. It is said that what made this forest survive the Japanese occupation, the Korean War, and reckless logging was the family's love of nature.
Ahopsan Forest consists of an artificial forest composed of bamboo, cypress, cedar, and ginkgo groves, as well as a natural forest where Geumgang pine trees aged 100-300 years old are growing. It is an ideal place to experience healing or to explore nature with children. There are also various experiential programs and activities you can participate in. For the conservation of nature, admission is only allowed to those who have made a reservation in advance, so reservations are required before visiting. Since it is a private forest, it is recommended to check the operation schedule in advance.
Location: 37-1, Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-721-9183
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Taejongdae Recreation Area
Harmonious view of dense forests and unique rocks
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Taejongdae Recreation Area is a representative tourist attraction in Busan, where dense forests and oddly shaped rocks form unique harmony. Taejongdae is located approx. 9.1 km from Yeongdo coast past Busandaegyo Bridge. The area is composed of dense forest including maritime pine groves growing around a peak with a height of 250 metres above sea level. From the coast, you can see precipitous cliffs, strangely shaped rocks, waves crashing in white foam, and the expansive Korea Strait.
For a tour of only the key attractions of Taejongdae, take a Danubi train and follow the course that starts from the main gate, passes through the observatory, Yeongdo Lighthouse, and Taejongsa Temple, and then returns to the gate. The train arrives at each stop every 20 minutes, so you can get hop off the train at any place you want to explore and then hop on again later. In early summer before the holiday season, the annual hydrangea festival is held around Taejongsa Temple. Take a leisurely stroll through the park while admiring the colourful flowers blooming along the trail.
Location: 24, Jeonmang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: Daily from 5 am to midnight
Phone: +82 (0)51-405-2004
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Igidae Park
Appreciate the cityscape walking along the coastal trail
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Igidae Park is a popular spot to admire the lesser-known scenery of Busan while walking along a trail. The park, officially referred to as Igidae Urban Nature Park, stands on gently sloped bedrock that stretches over 2 km along mountain ridges. Along with Oryukdo Skywalk, the coastal trail facing the sea on the left is a particularly famous attraction of the park. If you choose the 4.7 km course that connects Dongsaengmal, suspension bridge, sea cave, resting area for haenyeo (female divers), Eoul Madang, Cheomabawi Rock, and Oryukdo Sunrise Park, you can experience these famous tourist attractions of Busan from a different perspective while walking.
Dongsaengmal is a good place to enjoy the night view of Gwangandaegyo Bridge connecting Yongho-dong and Haeundae, and Eoul Madang is a popular sunrise spot and the filming location of the Korean movie "Tidal Wave." Designated as Busan National Geopark, the park preserves unique geological features that are worth exploration. Take a stroll in the park in the sea breeze and absorb yourself in the atmosphere of the sea.
Location: 105-20, Igidaegongwon-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
Open: 24/7
Phone: +82 (0)51-607-6399
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Geumjeongsan Mountain
Discover various hiking trails and tourist attractions
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Geumjeongsan is a mountain that forms the boundary between Busan and Yangsan and provides various hiking courses. In particular, it is a favourite weekend hiking spot for locals. Geumjeongsan stretches over a vast area, so there are several hiking courses. One of the easiest is the course starting from Beomeosa Temple and ending at Godangbong Peak through Bukmun Gate and Geumsaem Spring.
Beomeosa Temple located near the hiking trail is one of the major Buddhist temples of Korea along with Haeinsa in Hapcheon and Tongdosa in Yangsan. It is an important historic site, established during the Silla Dynasty. Stop by Beomeosa to take a short rest and feel the serene beauty of this old temple. Sanseong Village, situated 450 metres above sea level, is a village nestled on this beautiful mountain. The village has a food street that sells local products such as black goat and duck bulgogi (seasoned barbecue), as well as makgeolli (rice wine). A visit to this village is good for a family outing.
Location: Dong-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Open: 24/7
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