Five Busan Landmarks Worth the Trip

Busan X the SKY, for the view

Spanning the 98th to 100th floors of the Haeundae LCT tower, South Korea’s second-tallest building, this observatory opens onto a 360-degree view of Haeundae Beach, Gwangan Bridge, and the open sea. The glass-floored “Shocking Bridge” walkway crosses right at the edge, and the cafe on the 99th floor bills itself as the world’s highest Starbucks. Admission is 27,000 KRW, open daily 10:00 to 21:00. Tickets show up on GetYourGuide if you’d rather book ahead of a weekend visit.

Songdo Marine Cable Car, the coast from above

This 1.62-km overwater ropeway crosses from Songdo Beach to Amnam Park’s Songdo Sky Park, 86 metres above the water at its highest point. A round-trip in the Standard cabin runs 17,000 KRW for adults and 14,000 KRW for children; the glass-floored Crystal cabin costs 22,000 KRW and 18,000 KRW. At the upper station, the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge crosses to uninhabited Dongseom Island for a further 1,000 KRW, though it closes on Mondays and during strong winds. Busan Air Cruise’s own site carries the current timetable and fares.

Taejongdae, cliffs at the island’s tip

At the southern end of Yeongdo Island, a dense pine forest opens onto 100-metre sea cliffs and the Yeongdo Lighthouse. Entry to the park is free, and the Danubi circular train loops the grounds for around 4,000 KRW for anyone who’d rather ride than walk the full circuit.

Haedong Yonggungsa, the temple on the rock

Founded in 1376 by the monk Naong, this seaside temple in Gijang-gun is one of the country’s few built directly on coastal rock rather than set back from it. A run of 108 stone steps leads down past stone zodiac statues to the sea-facing Haesu Gwaneum Daebul statue. Admission is free, and the grounds open daily from 04:30 to 19:20, early enough to beat the tour buses if you’re willing to set an alarm. It sits in Gijang-gun, a separate trip from central Busan rather than a stop on a downtown walking loop.

Beomeosa, on Geumjeongsan’s slopes

Founded in 678 AD by the monk Uisang, Beomeosa is the Jogye Order’s principal temple in the region, its One Pillar Gate and ninth-century three-story pagoda set among pine forest partway up Mount Geumjeongsan. Bring a little cash: current listings describe a modest entrance fee rather than free admission, and the exact figure is worth checking at the gate since it varies by source. Metro Line 1 to Beomeosa Station, then bus 90, gets you to the base of the climb.

Worth a look after dark

Back down at the coast, Gwangan Bridge lights up over Gwangalli Beach every evening, and on Saturdays the free Gwangalli M Drone Light Show adds a choreographed formation at 20:00 and 22:00 in summer, 19:00 and 21:00 in winter. Check the current schedule before building an evening around it.

Before you go

  • X the SKY and the Songdo Marine Cable Car both sit on the Haeundae side of the city, so pairing them into one day cuts down on transit time.
  • Agoda’s Haeundae listings put you within reach of both without an early start.
  • Read more: Busan’s walking tours guide covers Gamcheon and the coastal trails on foot, and the 4-day Busan itinerary has room for all five of these in one trip.