Reading Busan Port and the Old Downtown from 120 m Above Yongdusan
Busan Tower is a 120-meter-high observation tower standing at the summit of Yongdusan Park in Jung-gu, offering sweeping views of Busan Port, Yeongdo, and the old downtown. This guide explores the history of the tower, built in 1973, the refugee settlement formed during the Korean War, and the park’s redevelopment, while also explaining how to reach it in practice from Nampo Station.
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A 120 m observation tower built on 69 m-high Yongdusan Mountain on November 21, 1973
Busan Tower is a 120 m-high observation tower located inside Yongdusan Park at 37-30, Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan. According to a report by the Kookje Shinmun, it was built on November 21, 1973, at a point 69 m above sea level, and was designed by Professor Na Sang-gi of Hongik University. In other words, thanks to its position combining the tower's own height of 120 m with the elevation of Yongdusan Mountain, it serves as a lookout over Busan Port and the old downtown area.
Yongdusan Mountain was once also called Songhyeonsan because the sea could be seen between its pine trees, while its current name came from the mountain's shape, which resembles a dragon facing the sea. During the Korean War, refugees' shanties spread up to the summit, but they were destroyed by a fire in 1954. After the area was redeveloped as a park, Busan Tower was added in the 1970s. Rather than visiting only for the view, learn this background and also see the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the Citizens' Bell, and the April 19 Uprising Memorial Tower to gain a clearer sense of the old downtown area's memories.
Busan Port night views reached according to the 10:00–22:00 hours and 21:30 admission cutoff
The Busan Tower observatory is open year-round from 10:00 to 22:00, with ticket issuance and admission ending at 21:30. The regular fare is 12,000 won for adults and youths aged 13 and over; 9,000 won for children from 36 months to 12 years old and seniors aged 65 and over; and free for infants under 36 months. Busan residents receive reduced fares of 9,600 won for adults and 7,200 won for children and seniors, and proof of identity is required.
During the day, it is easy to read the terrain toward Busan Port and Yeongdo, while after sunset you can see a layered landscape of harbor and downtown lights. However, admission is not possible after 21:30, so if you visit after dinner, you should arrive before ticket sales end. For inquiries, contact Busan Tower at 051-601-1800. It is also advisable to reconfirm closures, events, and operating changes through the Busan Facilities Corporation's notices immediately before your visit.
Route up by escalator from Exit 5 of Nampo Station on Line 1
For the subway, Exit 5 of Nampo Station on Busan Metro Line 1 is the most practical option. From the exit, head toward Gwangbok-ro and take the Yongdusan Park escalator to reduce the burden of walking up the hill for an extended distance; the park entrance is about a five-minute walk according to the directions. Another option is to walk approximately 300 m along Gwangbok-ro from Exit 7 of Nampo Station and approach via the escalator.
For buses, routes 1, 7, 15, 26, 40, and 61 are listed for the Gwangbok-dong stop. Taxis and private cars are advised to use the Yongdusan public parking lot beside the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum rather than parking directly below the park. Parking near the park may be limited on weekends and public holidays, so if you plan to visit Nampo-dong, Gukje Market, and Jagalchi Market consecutively, the subway makes travel times easier to predict.
The fifth-floor observatory and second-floor exhibition hall: the tower's floor-by-floor layout
According to information from Busan City, the first floor has a ticket booth at the observatory entrance, a gift shop, and a snack sales area, while the second floor houses the exhibition hall “Black Wonderland in Busan.” The third floor has a café, and the fourth and fifth floors contain observatories; the fifth floor also has a photo studio and gift shop. Since the main attraction is the upper observatory connected by elevator, decide whether to go straight up after purchasing your ticket or visit the second-floor exhibition first.
From the observatory, Busan Port, Yeongdo Island, and the dense buildings of the Nampo-dong area fit into a single view. Yongdusan Park itself is open 24 hours free of charge, but the Busan Tower observatory is a paid facility and closes at 22:00. It is best to plan your schedule and budget separately depending on whether you are only taking a walk in the park or also going up to the observatory.
The Citizens' Bell, Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue, and 1973 flower clock: 40 minutes below the tower
You can see the tower alone in about 40 minutes to an hour, but it is better to allow one to one and a half hours if you include Yongdusan Park. The park contains the statue of Admiral Yi Chung-mu-gong, the Citizens' Bell, a monument commemorating the policy of rejecting foreign contact, the Memorial Tower for the Fallen, the April 19 Uprising Memorial Tower, and Palgakjeong Pavilion, bringing together memories of Busan's harbor, war, and civic movements in one place. The flower clock in front of the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is described as a 5 m-diameter installation installed in 1973.
The Citizens' Bell ringing ceremonies are held every year on January 1, March 1, and August 15. The New Year's bell-ringing event runs from 22:00 on the previous day until midnight, with the bell rung at 00:00. Busan City states that traditional folk performances are held every Saturday at 14:00 between May and October, so if you visit on a Saturday during this period, it is worth checking before departure whether a performance will take place. Cultural tourism interpretation at the park operates from 10:00 to 17:00 at the interpreter's office beside the Citizens' Bell pavilion and requires advance reservation.
Three hours through Nampo-dong, continuing to Gukje Market, BIFF Square, and Jagalchi Market
Busan Tower stands on a hill in the middle of Nampo-dong's commercial district, making it easy to connect to the old downtown area on foot after visiting the observatory. Gukje Market, BIFF Square, and Jagalchi Market are each described as being within roughly a 10-minute walk of Busan Tower. It is convenient to finish the sloped park section first and then descend to the flat market alleys. The route is simpler if you schedule the tower for late afternoon and the markets from daytime through the evening.
For a first visit to Busan, the recommended order is to arrive at Nampo Station, follow Gwangbok-ro and the escalator to Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower, then pass through Gukje Market and BIFF Square before descending toward Jagalchi Market. Conversely, if you go up to the tower after dining at Jagalchi Market, calculate your time carefully so that you do not miss the 21:30 admission cutoff. Wheelchair and stroller users should inquire in advance at 051-601-1800 about an accessible alternative route instead of the escalator and the conditions for using the tower facilities.
Before You Go
- Address
- 37-30, Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan (Gwangbok-dong 2-ga)
- Hours
- 10:00–22:00 (admission ends at 21:30)
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Regular adults and visitors aged 13 and over: 12,000 won; children (36 months to 12 years) and visitors aged 65 and over: 9,000 won; under 36 months: free. Busan residents: adults 9,600 won, children and seniors 7,200 won.
- Phone
- 051-601-1800
- Official site
- https://www.bisco.or.kr/yongdusanpark/
- Transport
- Take the Yongdusan Park escalator from Exit 5 of Nampo Station on Busan Metro Line 1; approximately a 5-minute walk. Buses 1, 7, 15, 26, 40, and 61 are available from the Gwangbok-dong stop.
- Parking
- The Yongdusan public parking lot is available. Parking beside the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum is recommended; congestion is possible on weekends and public holidays.
- Time needed
- Busan Tower only: 40 minutes to 1 hour; including Yongdusan Park: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Accessibility
- The park has an escalator access route, but visitors using wheelchairs or strollers are advised to call 051-601-1800 before visiting to ask about access conditions inside the tower. Tourism information is available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Please check the official information again before your visit.
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