After six nights in stunning Seoul, we took the KTX High-Speed train to the port city of Busan (old name: Pusan). After a one-hour taxi ride, we arrived at the famous Haeundae Beach, where we would stay for five nights.
Haeundae Beach
Haeundae Beach is a popular tourist destination with dozens of bars and restaurants – both Korean and International.
With its one-kilometre-long wide sandy beach and beautiful esplanade intersecting with Gunam-ro Avenue, you will always find something to do or eat.
Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk
Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory is an elevated walkway in Haeundae District, Busan. It has transparent floors and is meant to offer visitors a view of the reefs underneath the path, the nearby coast of Cheongsapo, and the sea.
The structure initially began as a half-moon shape. Construction began to expand in 2021. It was completed in July 2024, making it an entire loop that returns to the mainland. The completed structure has a total length of 191 metres, and the path has a width of 3 metres.
Haeundae Blueline Park Beach Train
The Haeundae Beach Train is a sightseeing train that runs along the coast of Busan as part of the Haeundae Blueline Park.
The train is battery-charged and eco-friendly. It has full-glass windows, and two rows of benches face the windows.
The route length is 4.8 km from Haeundae Mipo station to Songjeong Station, with stops at Dalmaji Tunnel, Cheongsapo Station, Daritol Skywalk, and Gudeokpo. Travel time from Mipo Station to Songjeong Station is about 30 minutes. Tickets as of October 2024 were 7000 KRW for Adults and 4900 KRW for Children for one trip, that is, one entry and exit on the train.
Haeundae Coastal Walk from Mipo to Cheongsapo
This five-kilometre round trip follows the Sky Capsule and Beach train route. There are many pine tree-lined walkways where you go down near the rocky coastline.
The main point of interest along this walk is the stunning Haewol Skywalk.
Haeundae Traditional Market and Food Alley
Haeundae Traditional Market is a traditional market in Haeundae District, Busan. It was formed organically and opened in 1910. It received official recognition in May 2005 and was renovated in August 2008.
With around 156 businesses in total, the market features a variety of street food stalls (food alley), fresh produce and seafood sellers, and restaurants. Many of the merchants are members of an association that manages the marketplace. The market is reportedly a significant source of tourism for the area; people who visit the market often visit restaurants nearby.
Haewol Skywalk
The newly created Haewol Observatory is 137m long and 3m wide. It has a crescent-shaped central tower, a U-shaped skywalk, and a circular plaza with a diameter of 15m that overlooks the sea.
Light LED glass is installed on the circular, square floor so you can enjoy a beautiful night view. Dalmaji-gil, where the Haewol Observatory is located, is considered one of the “eight scenic views” because it is the boundary between the east and south coasts.
Busan X the Sky
BUSAN X the SKY is the second-highest building in Korea (after Lotte World Tower in Seoul), at 411.6 meters. It is located at Haeundae LCT Landmark Tower, the largest observatory in Korea.
From the sky observatory, visitors can enjoy the best views of the ocean, mountain ranges, and Busan’s famous landmarks, such as Haeundae Beach, Dongbaekseon Island, Haeundae Marine City, Gwangandaegyo Bridge, and Haeundae Blueline Park (Haeundae Beach Train & Haeundae Sky Capsule).
An admission ticket to BUSAN X, the SKY observatory, is required to access any of its facilities, including restaurants and cafes. For October 2024, pricing was 27,000 KRW for adults and 24,000 KRW for children, though if you show a receipt or a photo/video of your trip on the Beach Train or Sky Capsule, you will get a 30% discount.