A path linking the forest, lighthouse, and APEC venue on Dongbaek Island, 950 m from Haeundae Beach

A 950 m Route Tracing the Remnants of an “Island” at the Southern End of Haeundae Beach

Dongbaek Park is located around 88 Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan Metropolitan City, on Dongbaekseom at the southern end of Haeundae Beach. Dongbaekseom was originally an island, but long-term sedimentation connected it to the mainland, and people in Busan still call it Dongbaekseom, following its former name. The coastal walking trail is approximately 950 m long, linking Haeundae Beach, Nurimaru APEC House, Dongbaekseom Lighthouse, and the coastal rocks into one short circular route.

Local records indicate that the area was designated as Dongbaek Park in 1966, the year after Haeundae Beach opened. The park’s main attraction is the coastal footpath between the beach pine and camellia trees rather than a large lawn, so allowing 60–90 minutes for walking there and back, taking photos, and visiting Nurimaru is appropriate. The park entrance is connected to the beach on foot, making it easy to include the park as either the first or final stop on a Haeundae itinerary.

Choe Chiwon’s “Haeundae” Rock Inscription and the Upper Area of Dongbaek Park

Dongbaek Park features a statue and inscription commemorating the late Silla-period scholar Choe Chiwon, Haeunjeong Pavilion, and the Haeundae rock inscription. The name “Haeundae” is traditionally associated with the story that Choe Chiwon, impressed by the scenery, carved “海雲臺” into a rock, and it serves as a historical marker on Dongbaekseom. An important context of this walk is that the modern tourist destination called Haeundae is connected not only to the beach but also to the literary heritage on the coastal cliffs of Dongbaekseom.

The section toward the Choe Chiwon statue is easy to miss if you focus only on the beach and go straight to Nurimaru. Before heading toward Dongbaekseom Lighthouse Plaza and Nurimaru, follow the signs inside the park and pass through the statue and inscription area first to see both the origin of the name Haeundae and the seascape. Because the historical features are close to the coastal rocks, take particular care with uneven ground and wet surfaces.

Nurimaru, Where the Leaders of 21 Member Economies Gathered on November 19, 2005

Nurimaru APEC House, at the eastern end of Dongbaek Park, is the building where the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting was held on November 19, 2005. The leaders of the 21 APEC member economies held the summit and a luncheon here, and the third-floor conference hall is now open as an APEC memorial hall preserved as it appeared in 2005. The name combines “nuri,” meaning world, and “maru,” meaning summit or highest point.

Nurimaru APEC House is open from 09:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:00, one hour before closing. It is closed on the first Monday of every month, and admission is free. The main telephone numbers are 051-743-1974~5, and the official information page is https://www.busan.go.kr/nurimaru/english/Design/sub0101.jsp. The park itself is an outdoor walking area, but if you plan to visit the interior, check the Nurimaru closure dates and last admission time first.

Where to View Gwangan Bridge from Dongbaekseom Lighthouse Plaza

Dongbaekseom Lighthouse Plaza, next to Nurimaru, is a spot where APEC House and Gwangan Bridge can be viewed in the same direction. Unlike the open vista toward the sandy beach of Haeundae, this side offers views of the sea toward Suyeong Bay and Gwangan Bridge. Visiting Nurimaru first and then walking to the lighthouse plaza creates a natural progression from the indoor exhibition to the coastal scenery.

If photography is your main goal, it is more efficient to continue past Nurimaru to the lighthouse plaza rather than turn back immediately at the beach-side entrance. However, Nurimaru advises that parking around Dongbaekseom is limited on weekends and public holidays and can fill up quickly. This is why subway or bus access should be considered before traveling by car.

The Coastal Rock Section Descending to the Mermaid Statue of Princess Hwangok

Along the coast of Dongbaek Park stands a mermaid statue connected to the legend of Princess Hwangok. The statue is located close to the sea rocks, and unlike Dongbaekseom Lighthouse and Nurimaru, it is a point where the view descends toward the lower shoreline. This is why the park preserves not only historical features and an international conference facility but also a marker of a Haeundae coastal legend.

This section can become slippery depending on the tide, waves, and surface conditions after rain. Sneakers or shoes with slip-resistant soles are advisable, and approaching the coastal rocks in only high heels or sandals is not recommended. After viewing the mermaid statue, continue toward Haeundae Beach to connect the approximately 950 m walking trail with a beach itinerary.

Access via Dongbaek Station Exit 1 on Line 2 and Bus 1003

For public transportation, use Exit 1 of Dongbaek Station on Busan Metro Line 2 or the Dongbaekseom bus stop served by Bus 1003. The official Nurimaru APEC House directions recommend Dongbaek Station Exit 1 and getting off at Dongbaekseom when taking Bus 1003. From Dongbaek Station, reaching the center of the park involves walking through the beach and hotel district, so if you have a lot of luggage, it is better to check both the bus stop location and the location of your accommodation.

When traveling by car, you can use the parking lot attached to Dongbaek Park as well as public and private parking lots, but Nurimaru advises that parking spaces on Dongbaekseom and in the surrounding area are limited and fill up quickly on weekends and public holidays. Parking fees may change, so check the notices on site. Wheelchair and stroller access is relatively feasible near Nurimaru and along the main walking routes, but it is safer to travel with a companion on the coastal rocks and certain sloped sections.

• Address: 88 Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan Metropolitan City
• Recommended duration: 40–60 minutes for a park walk; 60–90 minutes including a visit to Nurimaru
• Admission: Dongbaek Park free; Nurimaru APEC House free
• Foreign-language inquiries: Tourist information line 1330 provides assistance in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.

Camellia Season and a 09:00–11:00 Route for Avoiding Crowds

Because camellia trees and beach pine remain along the coast of Dongbaek Park, check the flowering conditions separately if you want to see the blossoms at the end of winter and beginning of spring. Camellias bloom at significantly different times each year depending on temperatures, so rather than fixing a specific date, check the latest flowering reports for the Busan area just before departure. If flowers are not your main purpose, a route combining the coastal trail and Nurimaru in the morning is practical, when the wind is generally lighter.

Nurimaru opens at 09:00 and stops admitting visitors at 17:00, so traveling from the park entrance past the Choe Chiwon historical features to Nurimaru and the lighthouse plaza between 09:00 and 11:00 makes it easier to secure time for the indoor visit. Conversely, if you arrive late in the afternoon, you may still be able to walk through the park, but admission to the interior of Nurimaru may have ended. Since the destination centers on sea views and coastal walking, it is safer to switch to another indoor itinerary on days with forecasts of heavy rain or strong winds.