Busan

Dudo and Busan’s 100-Million-Year-Old Coast Seen from the Edge of Amnam Park

Dudo is an uninhabited rocky island off Amnam-dong in Busan’s Seo-gu district. Rather than entering the island itself, visitors observe its geological and birdlife scenery from Dudo Observatory in Amnam Park. Along the route connecting Songdo Beach and Amnam Park, be prepared for ups and downs on forest paths, wind, and stairs by wearing comfortable walking shoes and allowing plenty of time.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Aug 7, 2026 20 min 980

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Dudo is a rocky island to view from Amnam Park, rather than an island to visit

Dudo (頭島) is a rocky island located in the waters off the southeastern tip of the Amnam Peninsula, around San 193-4, Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan Metropolitan City. Its name uses the Chinese characters for “head” (頭) and “island” (島), and a 2020 record in the Busan City Bulletin introduces it as also having been called “Daegari Island” locally. The main attraction is not landing on the island, but viewing the island and coastal cliffs from Dudo Observatory at the end of the forest trail in Amnam Park.

No regular tourist route that visitors can cross to reach the island has been confirmed. The Busan City Bulletin records that although a bridge can be seen from the observatory toward the island, it cannot be crossed, and describes Dudo as a rocky island largely untouched by development. Therefore, rather than attempting to approach the island using map coordinates as the destination, it is safer to set “Amnam Park” or “Dudo Observatory” as the land destination.

부산지오파크가 소개한 두도 전경입니다. — This is a view of Dudo introduced by Busan Geopark. — Photo source: busan.go.kr

The end of the Amnam Peninsula, shaped by sedimentary rock from about 100 million years ago and wave erosion

Busan National Geopark explains that sedimentary rock formed about 100 million years ago is distributed along the coast of Amnam Park. The area around Dudo is a section where traces of Cretaceous geology can be read along the coast, and the official geopark page introduces volcanic breccia, dikes, dinosaur egg nest fossils, petrified wood, and an unconformity. This is not simply a place to view the sea on a walk; it is a site where traces of different rocks and geological events can be connected with the coastal cliffs.

A 2020 article in the Busan City Bulletin reports that about 15 caves formed on Dudo because of cliffs developed by wave erosion. The same record describes the geological strata of Amnam Park as sedimentary rock from about 100 million years ago. However, the edge of the coast and rocky tidal flats are affected by waves, strong winds, and slippery surfaces, so avoid going down beyond the observatory and designated walking trails to inspect the geology up close.

부산국가지질공원 두도 지질 안내 사진입니다. — This is a geological information photograph of Dudo provided by Busan National Geopark. — Photo source: busan.go.kr

Gray nests of seabirds and the nickname “Land of the Birds”

Dudo is known as an island inhabited by gulls and migratory birds, and the Busan City Bulletin records that the areas around the nests appear gray because of seabird droppings. Rather than trying to get close to the island, it is more appropriate to observe it from the observatory with binoculars or a camera’s telephoto function. Avoid making loud noises toward birds that are breeding or resting, and do not fly drones.

Amnam Park itself is also an environment where the sea meets the forest. Busan National Geopark explains that more than 100 species of wildflowers and over 370 species of plants are distributed in the area, highlighting the natural growth of maritime plants. Instead of making a short visit focused only on Dudo, allowing 1.5 to 2 hours, including the forest trail and observatory, makes it easier to manage the uphill and downhill sections without overexertion.

부산국가지질공원이 제공한 암남공원 해안 지질 사진입니다. — This is a coastal geology photograph of Amnam Park provided by Busan National Geopark. — Photo source: busan.go.kr

Bus 30 or 71 from Exit 8 of Nampo Station, get off at Amnam Park

The practical public transportation reference point for reaching Dudo Observatory is Amnam Park. The route described by the Busan City Bulletin is to travel from Exit 8 of Nampo Station on Busan Metro Line 1 to the Yeongdodaegyo Bridge bus stop, then take city bus 30 or 71 and get off at the “Amnam Park” stop. Busan National Geopark also provides information on getting off at Amnam Park via buses 7, 9, 9-1, or 71 from Exit 1 of Nampo Station.

If your itinerary includes Songdo Beach first, you can take buses 26, 30, or 96 from Exit 2 of Jagalchi Station on Line 1 and get off at “Songdo Beach.” The route from behind Songdo Beach to Amnam Park combines coastal decks, forest trails, and stairs, so sneakers with nonslip soles are preferable to sandals. A 2021 report by the Busan City Bulletin also recommended sneakers because the section before and after Dudo Observatory repeatedly goes uphill and downhill.

암남공원 해안 지질을 소개하는 부산국가지질공원 사진입니다. — This is a photograph by Busan National Geopark introducing the coastal geology of Amnam Park. — Photo source: busan.go.kr

What to prepare for the Amnam Park public parking lot and Dudo Observatory

For visitors arriving by car, the official guidance from Busan National Geopark recommends entering “Amnam Park” or “Songdo Beach” into the navigation system. The address of the Amnam Park public parking lot is 179-40 Amnamgongwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan Metropolitan City, according to the Busan City Bulletin. Since parking availability and fees may vary depending on operating conditions, it is safer to check the signs at the site and announcements from the managing authority on the day of departure.

Dudo itself is an unmanned natural geological landscape, and no separate regular operating hours, closing days, or admission fees have been confirmed. Admission can therefore be considered free, but it should be distinguished from paid facilities that can also be used within Amnam Park. For example, Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge cost 1,000 won for adults according to the 2021 Busan City Bulletin, but facility fees and operating hours may change, so separate confirmation is required on the day of the visit.

A half-day combining Songdo Beach, Yonggung Cloud Bridge, and Sky Park

Dudo Observatory becomes especially meaningful when combined with Songdo Beach and Amnam Park. Songdo Beach is introduced as the first beach in Korea, and it can be reached by taking buses 26, 30, or 96 from Exit 2 of Jagalchi Station. Entering Amnam Park from the beach side along the coastal walking trail creates a route where views of the sea, Namhangdaegyo Bridge, and Yeongdo unfold in succession.

Amnam Park is adjacent to Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge and Songdo Sky Park, the Amnam station of the Songdo Marine Cable Car. The Busan City Bulletin introduces the third-floor Sky Harbor Observatory at Songdo Sky Park as a place that can be visited on the way back from Dudo Observatory. Combining Dudo viewing, the forest trail, Yonggung Cloud Bridge, and Sky Park requires at least 3 hours when stairs and slopes are taken into account; adding photography and a cable car ride makes a half-day appropriate.

After strong winds or rain, check the deck underfoot before focusing on Dudo

The Amnam Park forest trail to Dudo Observatory is not a flat walking path. The Busan City Bulletin explains that the healing forest trail passes a log bridge, balance-play equipment, and a meditation deck, followed by repeated uphill and downhill sections immediately before Dudo Observatory. If you have knee or ankle problems, or need to travel with a stroller or wheelchair, do not assume that completing the entire route to the observatory is feasible. Instead, choose the park entrance and accessible deck sections according to conditions at the site.

Views toward the sea are strongly affected by the weather. Visibility widens on clear days, but wet decks and fallen leaves can be slippery during strong winds, rain, or high waves. Prepare water, a windbreaker, sneakers, and portable binoculars, and plan to leave the forest trail before sunset. Official inquiries can be directed to Busan National Geopark at 051-888-3637, and the Dudo geology information page is available on the Busan Metropolitan City Geopark website.

When photographing Dudo, capture the sense of distance from the observatory rather than approaching the island

When viewed from the nearby coast, Dudo is a place where the rocky island, sea-eroded cliffs, and traces of seabird habitation overlap in one frame. A 2020 record in the Busan City Bulletin includes photographs looking down at the island from Dudo Observatory and showing citizens viewing the scenery through binoculars. If you do not have a telephoto lens, rather than enlarging the island in the frame, include the observatory railing, the forest of the Amnam Peninsula, and the sea together to show the island’s spatial relationship with its surroundings.

Photographs should be taken only from designated observatories and walking paths, and visitors should not force their way into fishing areas, rocky tidal flats, or the edges of cliffs. Dudo is not an island crowded with tourist facilities, but an object of observation within a geopark and coastal ecosystem, so it is important to move in a way that leaves no damage to nature even during a short stay.

송도와 암남공원 일대를 소개한 여행 기록의 해안 사진입니다. — This is a coastal photograph from a travel account introducing the Songdo and Amnam Park area. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

암남공원과 송도 해안 산책로를 소개한 여행 기록의 사진입니다. — This is a photograph from a travel account introducing Amnam Park and the Songdo coastal walking trail. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Before You Go

Address: San 193-4, Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan Metropolitan City
Admission: Free
Phone: 051-888-3637
Official site: https://www.busan.go.kr/geopark/dudo
Transport: Busan Metro Line 1, Nampo Station Exit 8 → Yeongdodaegyo Bridge bus stop → Bus 30 or 71 → get off at Amnam Park. From Jagalchi Station Exit 2, take buses 26, 30, or 96 to Songdo Beach, then proceed toward Amnam Park.
Parking: Available at the Amnam Park public parking lot: 179-40 Amnamgongwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan Metropolitan City. Check fees on site.
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours centered on Dudo Observatory; 3 hours to half a day when combined with Songdo Beach, Yonggung Cloud Bridge, and Sky Park.
Accessibility: The route toward Dudo Observatory repeatedly includes forest trails, stairs, and uphill and downhill sections, making the entire route unsuitable for wheelchair or stroller access. Availability of official foreign-language guidance could not be confirmed.