Good morning Busan!
Woke up to view like this was such a bliss. #BringMeBackToKorea
Previous: Busan Day 1 – Korea Largest Jukje Market, Songdo Beach, Busan Tower, Longest Air Cruise in Korea, and more!
Went for a morning walk at Gwangali Beach 광안리해수욕장 the next morning, continue to enjoy the spectacular, yet calming scenery.
19. Gwangalli Beach
While many tourists love coming to Gwangalli Beach for a view of Gwangan Bridge, the beach itself, which is about 1.4KM long, actually doesn’t shadowed, thanks to its fine, soft sand.
Sea breeze, soft sand, blue ocean, trainquility – feels great for being able to slow down and enjoy life, even just for short moments.
How to reach Gwangalli Beach
Busan Metro Line 1 at Gwangan Station, Exit 3 or 5, walk for 700 meters towads Gwangalli Beach
Address: 219 Gwang-an, Haebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, Koera
Website: http://www.suyeong.go.kr/ http://gwanganbridge.bisco.or.kr/
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Kick started our second day morning visiting Dongbaek Island, APEC Nurimaru, Daritol Skywalk, and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple before transferring to Ulsan.
20. Haeundae Dongbaekseom Island – The Camellias Island
Haeundae Dongbaekseom Island 동백섬 is well-known for having camellias and fine tree forest. It is also home to Dongbaek Park and Nurimaru APEC House – the iconic glass building that put this island under the limelight again.
21. Nurimaru APEC House
Nurimaru APEC House 누리마루 APEC하우스 is the official location for APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Corperation Summit in 2005, gathering leaders from 21 regions to attend APEC conference.
The building is prides for putting together Korean traditional architecture with contemporary design.
It is built with modern interpretation of Korean wooden pavilion; the roof is designed similar to figuration of Dongbaekseom Island; the interior depicts Korean traditional culture.
Looked up and found some thoughtful decoration, like the Summit Conference Hall has design using the ceiling of Seokgulam as the motif.
APEC House is now a 3-storeys building functions as a tourist attraction, event space, international seminar, exhibition, government meeting venue, performances and more.
We visited APEC Memorial Hall, a place where we had a tour on APEC 2005 conference room, APEC overview, photo gallery.
A model of dinner served during 2005 APEC Summit. So Cute!
Meeting room with high-tech system.
You can also observe some of the important Busan landmarks from the tower.
How to reach APEC House Busan:
Subway: Busan Metro Line 2 Dongbaek Station (Exit 1), walk 800m towards Westin Chosun Hotel.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun, 9AM-6PM (Closed on first Monday of every month)
Address:(U-dong) 116, Dongbaekno, Haudae-gu, Busan
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22. Dongbaekseom Island Observation Deck
After visiting APEC, we climbed up to the top of Dongbaekseom Island and enjoy a panaromic view overlooking APEC House, Gwangan Bridge and Haeundae Beach.
Viewing platform, with a light house.
Used the telescope to look out for another lighthouse too. It has a lotus blossom base, which symbolizes development and an affluent future of Busan.
Also this, The Oryuk Islets – consists of 5 islets, sometimes 6.
Hello Gwangan Bridge, we met again!
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23. Dongbaek Park
Went for a walk around Dongbaek Park 동백공원, admiring the nature of beauty, feeling the calmness surrounded by deep blue sea and lush greenery.
The cooling walking trail, sheltered by many large trees.
This wooden walkway can lead you to Haeundae Beach – one of the most famous beach resort town in Busan. Spot The Mermaid Of Dongbaek – a 2.5 meters high mermaid statue carrying a sad story about Princess Hwagok along the way too.
How to reach Dongbaek Park:
Subway: Busan Metro Line 2 Dongbaek Station (Exit 1), walk 800m towards Westin Chosun Hotel.
How to Reach Haeundae Beach:
Subway: Metro Line 2, Haeundae Station, Exit 3,5. Walk 600meters toward Haeundae Haebyeon-ro
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24. Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk – A Walk “On the Ocean”
Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk, one of the latest attractions in Busan, opened in August 2017.
It is built at Cheongsapo – a fishing village with top 12 scenic views in Haundae, which has also long famous for breathtaking sunrise and sunset view.
It is the third skywalk in Busan, together with Songdo Skywalk in Songdo Beach and Oryukdo Skywalk in a U-shaped steel sheet glass.
Daritdol skywalk is built 72.5m towards the sea, 20 meters above sea level. Its architecture features a streamlined design with blue dragon motif and a half moon shape transparent skywalk at the end of the sea.
Very nice curvy shape…
It is said that the bridge is named such because it resembles the row of five rocks that line from Cheongsapo shore to the lighthouse, like river stepping-stone.
There’s transparent floor along the skywalk made our “walking on the sea” experience more thrilling.
We could see the ocean right below our feet!
Doritdol Skywalk is very much an attraction that allows you to appreciate the beauty of Busan coastal area from different angle. So just relax after the walk, choose a cafe you like in Cheongsapo Village for coffee, or have lunch in one of the seafood restaurants here.
How to reach Daritdol Observatory:
Bus: Haeundae Town Bus (No.2), Busan City Tour Bus
Subway: Jangsan Station (Busan Subway Line 2). Take a taxi for to Cheongsapo (*~ 7 mins) and then walk for about 10min.
Opening Hours: Mon- Sun, 9AM-6PM (9AM-8PM June-Aug)
Admission Fee: Free
Address: (Jungdong San 3-2) – at the halfway point between Mipo and Songjeong
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25. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – Busan Temple on the Cliff
Last stop in Busan, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple 해동 용궁사. This temple is located by the seaside, facing the sea! Sooo beautiful..
It is one of the few “seaside temple” in Korea, because temples here are normally built near mountains area.
We first walked through a shopping street stretches with plenty of souvenir shops and food stalls on both sides before reaching the temple. So no worries if you are hungry.
12 zodiac statues lining up along the way, you are at the entrance of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
The 8 Story Pagoda
We were told that this is a pagoda that you can pray for traffic safety.
Went down the famous 108-steps stairway with stone lanterns, leading to the main temple site.
Buddha of Granting Son
It is said that women who touch the belly of this beloved Buddhst deity would have chance to bear and give birth to sons.
Statue of Buddha for Academic Achievement
Touch on the buddha and pray for excellent academic results!
This observatory is said to the best place in Headong Yonggugsa for sunset and sunrise view.
Aww my gawd…view is amazing!
Can see Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (Seawater Great Goddess Buddha), Daeungjeon Main Sanctuary, Yongwangdang Shrine, Gulbeop Buddhist Sanctum (enclosed in a cave) and the three-story pagoda can all looking out over the ocean.
Continue to walk down the stairs towards the main temple area.
Daengjeon Main Sanctuary
Spotted this cute little kid monk at the rock walls.
Golden Buddha
Three-story pagoda with four lions that symbolize joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. Couldn’t see the lions during our visit. Not sure whether it is already wholly blocked or under construction.
Continue to walk up the stone stairs again
Haesu Gwaneum Daebul
Some said that, here, if you pray from the bottom of your heart to “guan yin ma”, you can have one of your wishes come true. #FingerCross
Natural spring water which said to have healing “power”.
We used to wonder why this temple can receive thousands of visits daily. Till we see it with our own eyes that day, we understand why.
Blue ocean, forest greenery, rocks & cliffs, traditional temple architecture, legends of spiritual blessings- Headong Yonggungsa Temple is just so beautiful, surrounded by untouched nature beauty, with serenity that calms the soul for heartful prayers.
How to reach Haedong Yonggugsa Temple:
Subway: Busan Metro Line 2, Jangsan Station Exit 7. Transfer to Haeundae 7 bus (towards Yonggungsa Temple entrance). Get off at Yonggugsa Temple – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, walk for 10 minutes to reach.
Haeundae Station Line 2, Exit 7, take Bus 181 and get off at Yonggungsa Temple, or take a cab to reach.
Opening Hours: 5AM – Sunset, all day for Yaksajeon Hall & Bangseongteo Site
Ticket price/Admission Fee: Free
Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang, Busan, South Korea
Website: http://yongkungsa.or.kr/
Love this attraction. Certainly a picturesque tourist site that you shouldn’t miss out when in Busan.
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26. Countryside Duck Meal
Lunch with duck meal in this charming restaurant in traditional Korean wooden house. Then, moved to Ulsan, second metropilitan city for our Southeastern region trip.
