Korea’s second largest city, Busan is a coastal city full of charms. The nightscape in particular is outstanding. Discover the most beautiful attractions through the city’s nighttime tourism brand “Starry Night in Busan.”
Marine Sports
Busan has seven beaches, attracting hundreds of visitors looking to enjoy marine leisure sports every summer! One of the best ways to enjoy the nightscape is by taking a yacht tour from The Bay 101 around the glittering skyscrapers of Marine City and Gwangandaegyo Bridge. Photos taken before these backgrounds will look just like film frames!
If you want to get closer to the water, head to Gwangalli Beach to enjoy standup paddleboarding at the SUP Zone! Easy enough to learn after a simple lesson, this newer water sport is extremely popular among young travelers. Standup paddleboarding is even available in the evening, providing one of the best sunset views you can get! After getting your fill of the sunset, head to one of the pubs lining the beach for a cool beer!
Dadaepo Beach is located at the point where the Nakdonggang River meets the sea, creating a unique environment not found at other beaches in Busan. In particular, the water is warm and shallow, making it perfect for all kinds of water fun, including swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing, and kiteboarding. If you visit at sunset, you’ll be treated to a red landscape! Another great charm to this beach is the nearby Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams, combining lights, water, and music in a fantastic show.
Bongnaesan Mountain, with an altitude of just 395 meters, is a famous trekking location that feels more like a stroll than hiking. A gentle slope leads to the summit where you can see fantastic views of the sea around Yeongdo. During summer, the path is lined with hydrangeas in full bloom. About halfway up the mountain, the path splits into a forest trail and a wooden deck; both will take you to the peak, although the deck path offers more unobstructed views. At the summit, there are two observation points looking out over Namhangdaegyo and Busanhangdaegyo Bridges.
- The Bay 101
- Address: 52, Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산광역시 해운대구 동백로 52)
- Directions: Take Bus No. 38 from Dongbaek Station (Busan Subway Line 2), Exit 2 to Unchon Bus Stop and walk for approx. 7 min
- Operating hours (Yacht tour): 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00
* 20:00 yacht operates on weekends only
- Website: www.thebay101.com (Korean, English)
- Gwanggalli Beach
- Address: 219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 수영구 광안해변로 219)
- Directions: Walk for approx. 13 min from Gwangan Station (Busan Subway Line 2), Exit 3
- Dadaepo Beach
- Address: 14, Morundae 1-gil, Saha-gu, Busan (부산광역시 사하구 몰운대1길 14)
- Directions: Walk for approx. 1 min from Dadaepo Beach Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 2 or 4
- Yeongdo Bongnaesan Mountain
- Address (Jonaegi Sweet Potato History Park): 75, Beotkkot-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 영도구 벚꽃길 75)
- Directions: Take Maeul Bus Yeongdong-gu 5 from Nampo Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 8 to Ssangyong Motors Academy Bus Stop and walk for approx. 6 min
Gifts of Nature
Old observatories and fortress walls built high up on the mountains are great for seeing the sparkling city below, and the starry heavens above. Dongnaeeupseong Walled Town, located on Maansan Mountain (alt. 149 m) was integral for the local community during the Imjin War in the late 16th century. The path up to the site isn’t easy, but it is worth it for the ambiance found when looking out over the fortress walls. After walking around the walled town, head down to the Gomjangeo Street to try the local specialty, inshore hagfish.
With a wooden deck, city view, and amazing views of the sunset, Hwangnyeongsan Observatory is a popular date spot! The road leading up to the observatory is also a hotspot in spring when the cherry blossom trees that line the road are in full bloom. The mountain is located in the middle of Busan, so you can enjoy a panoramic view of Haeundae, Gwangalli, Yeonsan-dong, and Dongnae. The sunset views also attract plenty of photographers.
Amisan Observatory overlooks the point where the Nakdonggang River merges with the sea. The walking trail is quite steep, but you will forget all about the difficult trail when you see the sunset and nightscape views from the observatory, designed in the shape of a bird. The waters at the estuary appear to turn to liquid gold at sunset. Before the sunset, you can also enjoy the sight of the largest number of migratory birds in Busan, busily hopping about naturally formed sandbars. The road to Dadaepo Beach also features Jangnim Port, which could be compared to Venice, Italy.
Busan’s fourth largest beach, Songdo Beach stands out from the rest! You can take in the landscape by walking on Songdo Cloud Bridge, or riding Busan Air Cruise, a marine cable car. The area is brightly lit at night, with the high-rise buildings that encircle the beach reflecting off the ocean. Be sure to walk along the bridge to Geobukseom Island so you can find the statues telling the story of the Turtle Island Legend. They say the statues give off energy for material wealth and long life!
- Dongnaeeupseong Walled Town
- Address: San 48-2, Myeongnyun-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan (부산광역시 동래구 명륜동 산48-2)
- Directions: Take Maeul Bus Dongnae 7-1 from Myeongnyun Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 2) to Dongnae Culture Hall Bus Stop
- Operating hours: 09:00-18:00 / Closed Mondays, January 1, public holidays, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) holidays
- Hwangnyeongsan Observatory
- Address: 391-39, Hwangnyeongsan-ro, Nam-gu, Busan (부산광역시 남구 황령산로 391-39)
- Directions: Take a taxi for approx. 10~15 min from Geumnyeonsan Station (Busan Subway Line 2), Exit 6
- Operating hours: 10:00-23:00
- Amisan Observatory
- Address: 77, Dadaenakjo 2-gil, Saha-gu, Busan (부산광역시 사하구 다대낙조2길 77)
- Directions: Take Maeul Bus Saha-gu15 from Dadaepohang Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 1 to Morundae Cathedral Bus Stop
- Operating hours: 09:00-18:00 / Closed Mondays and January 1
- Songdo Beach
- Address: 100, Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 서구 송도해변로 100)
- Directions: Take Bus No. 7, 26, 30, 71, or 96 from Jagalchi Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 7 to Songdo Beach Bus Stop
- Operating hours: 09:00-18:00
- Busan Air Cruise
- Address: 171, Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 서구 송도해변로 171)
- Directions: Take Bus No. 6, 26, 30, or 71 from Nampo Station (Busan Subway Line 1), Exit 1 or 8 to Amnam-dong Community Service Center Bus Stop and walk for approx. 10 min
- Operating hours: Weekdays 09:00-21:00 / Weekends & public holidays 09:00-21:00
More Info
- 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)
* This column was last updated in September 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.
