Walk the winding trails and enjoy brilliant views of Busan’s coastline at Taejongdae Park. Sprawled south of the busy city, this tranquil park provides access to some of Korea’s best natural landscapes.
Start at the park’s lighthouse, where you can access the viewing deck via a spiral staircase. Look out over the forest. On the west side, Busan’s skyscrapers are visible over the cliffs. Look to the southwest and, on a clear day, you might see Japan’s Tsushima Island.
Follow the boardwalks that lead away from the lighthouse to the cliffs that drop down into the ocean. Here, a fenced platform lets you walk to the edge. Watch as waves foam up against the rock face below and ferries cruise between Busan and Taejongdae.
A network of forest paths take you through the park’s expansive pine tree groves. Look for the Taejongsa and Gumyeongsa temples. These ancient constructions were built for Buddhist meditation and prayer.
The paths make up about 3 kilometres (2 miles) of hikes in a loop down the west side of the peninsula, to the lighthouse and back to the park’s entrance at the docks on the northwest side of the island. From the entrance you can go pebble collecting at the nearby beach or sample fresh molluscs at a small fish market along the water.
Combine your trip to the park with a visit to Oryukdo Island, accessible by a scenic ferry ride from the docks. Take in spectacular views of the peninsula from the water.
Get to Taejongdae Park by car and pay for parking at the peninsula’s northern end. Bus routes connect Busan Station and Taejongdae. If you don’t want to walk through the park, purchase a seat on a tram that follows the main hiking loop. It’s recommended that hikers pack plenty of water and sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes as some sections of the trail are steep.
