The First Sea of Busan: Finding Blue Comfort at Songdo Beach (Songdo Haesuyokjang)

The First Memory of Busan's Sea, Dating Back to 1913

Passing through Jagalchi Market (Jagalchi Sijang) from Busan Station (Busan-yeok) and heading a bit further, you can encounter Songdo Beach (Songdo Haesuyokjang), which has been silently watching over the coast for over 100 years. Perhaps it is because of the title of being the very first beach to open in Busan in 1913. Stepping foot in Songdo, one often feels a strange blend of classic sentiment and sophisticated modern beauty.

As soon as you arrive at the beach, the salty scent that tickles your nose and the sound of cool waves strike your ears. While there was a time when the shrinking white sand beach was a source of regret, it has been transformed into a beach park where a wide stretch of sand, perfect for children to play, harmonizes with refreshing fountains through a massive renovation project in the 2000s. Walking while watching the sparkling sea under the sunlight, it feels as if the complicated worries of daily life are being washed away by the waves.

The Feeling of Walking on the Sea: Finding Songdo's Hidden Charms

The true charm of Songdo lies in the walking trails created along the beach and the nature itself. In particular, it connects to Amnam Park (Amnam Gongwon), which returned to the citizens' embrace late after being a military protection zone, so it is quite fun to explore the strange rocks and stones that preserve their original natural appearance. Walking along the paths through the dense primeval forest, you can see Yeongdo Island (Yeongdo) faintly in the distance, and you will find yourself pausing for a moment to watch the seagulls floating leisurely above the sea.

Surrounding areas are well-equipped with amenities such as boat piers and walking trails, so you don't need to make grand plans. Just wearing comfortable shoes and walking, then sitting at a favorite cafe to gaze at the sea is enough. Especially, Songdo at sunset has a magical power that turns so red it cannot be described in words, stirring the heart of any traveler.

A Travel Route in Seo-gu (Seo-gu) Combining History and Romance

It is too much to just look around Songdo, as there are many treasures hidden throughout Seo-gu (Seo-gu). The Provisional Capital Memorial Hall (Imsi Sudo Ginyeomgwan), which was the presidential residence of the provisional capital during the Korean War, is located in Bumin-dong (Bumin-dong), and walking around the building that holds the history of upheaval even brings a sense of solemnity. Since it is not far from Songdo by car, I would like to recommend planning a route to follow the traces of history after enjoying the relaxation at the beach.

If you climb to Dudo Park (Dudo Gongwon), famous for sea fishing, or the Amnam Park (Amnam Gongwon) observatory, you can take in the view of Busan South Port (Namhang) at a glance. There are rows of raw fish restaurants nearby, which is perfect to put a period to your trip with fresh seafood. A plate of fresh raw fish (hoe) eaten while feeling the sea breeze, a glass of soju, and conversations with loved ones—isn't that the perfect trip?