Yongdusan Park occupies a 69,000-square-meter hilltop above Nampo-dong in Jung-gu, Busan’s old downtown. The name means “Dragon Head Mountain,” and the park draws visitors for the 120-meter Busan Tower, built in 1973, and its sweeping views over Busan Port and Yeongdo Island (Wikipedia).
Most people arrive by the outdoor escalators that climb from Gwangbok-ro’s shopping street to the summit plaza. At the top, a bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin looks toward the harbor he defended against Japanese invasion. Nearby you’ll find the Citizens’ Bell pavilion, which rings in each New Year, along with a working flower clock and a dragon sculpture (VISITKOREA). Inside the tower, the observation deck offers a 360-degree view of cranes, ferries, bridges and the mountain-ringed city. Media art installations add color to the deck after dark.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Nampo Station and walk a few minutes to the Gwangbok-ro escalators. The park grounds are free, but the tower requires a ticket. Check current hours and prices before you go (Korea Go Now). Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Photographers should aim for the hour before sunset to catch both daylight and the harbor lights coming on. Weekend evenings and holidays bring lines at the tower elevator. Afterward, walk downhill to BIFF Square, Gukje Market and Jagalchi Fish Market, all within 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
