Discover The Views From Oryukdo Skywalk in Busan
Head to where the East Sea and the South Sea converge and you’ll spot the Oryukdo Islets that paint a mesmerizing picture in the emerald sea. Comprising five islands that sometimes become six as the tides change, this natural wonder off the coast of Yongho-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, is a must-visit destination for those seeking the perfect blend of geological marvels, marine sanctuaries, and cultural heritage.
On one of my first trips to Busan with my husband he took me to nearby Igidae and I couldn’t get enough of the rocky coastline and blue waters in this area. While the view is spectacular, it seems to be the Oryukdo Skywalk (์ค๋ฅ๋ ์ค์นด์ด์ํฌ) that calls people to visit now.
Get ready to visit the Oryukdo Skywalk in Busan, Korea:
- How To Get There
- Basic Info
- Geological Marvels and Cultural Heritage: Oryukdo Islets
- Make The Most Out Of Your Visit
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How To Get There
Address: 137 Oryukdo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan (๋ถ์ฐ๊ด์ญ์ ๋จ๊ตฌ ์ค๋ฅ๋๋ก 137)
Directions: From Busan Station, you can take bus 27 directly to Oryukdo Skywalk Stop. If you’re in other parts of Busan, check for other routes as buses 24 and 131 also go to this stop.
Join a Tour: Busan is a long city that hugs the coast and if you have a short time in the area, you might want to join a tour to see more in a more convenient and efficient manner.
- Busan’s top 5 tourist attractions one Day & Night Tour: Join this tour with Klook to see the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Oryukdo Skywalk, Taejongdae, Gamcheon Culture Village, and The Bay 101.
- Busan One Day City Tour: Haeundae Sky Capsule, Yacht: This tour with Klook has five different options to choose from and one has Oryukdo Skywalk with the Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Gamcheon, and the Blueline Park Sky Capsule.
- Must-Visit BTS Destinations In Busan: This tour with Klook heads to where all BTS army might recognize including the Gamcheon Culture Village, Seodongmiro Market, Oryukdo Skywalk, Gopchang Ssalong and more.
Basic Info
Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Free
Geological Marvels and Cultural Heritage: Oryukdo Islets
Renowned as one of the most beautiful islands in Busan, Oryukdo Islets have earned their status as a Busan National Geopark. The rocky formations, shaped by volcanic activities 80 million years ago, showcase the geological history of the region.
Beyond their geological significance, these islets are also a marine sanctuary, providing a habitat for protected marine creatures. Designated as a state cultural heritage site, Oryukdo Islets comprise Bangpaeseom Island, Solseom Island, Suriseom Island, Songgotseom Island, Gulseom Island, and Deungdaeseom Island.
The name “Oryukdo” is derived from the Korean words “oh” meaning five islands visible at low tide and “ryuk” meaning six islands visible at high tide. Deungdaeseom Island, the farthest from the mainland, hosts the iconic Oryukdo Lighthouse, acting as a gateway to Busanhang Port.
Make The Most Out Of Your Visit
If you arrive at peak times, you’ll likely be stuck in traffic that winds down the mountain to get into the parking lot. It can take some time, but with blue waters in view, it doesn’t have to be a stressful wait. Turn on some music and enjoy the vibes.
Once you’ve parked, you’ll notice there are some buildings that house a convenience store, the Haeparang-gil Tourist Information Center and this is where you’ll find a bathroom if you or the kiddos need one, so use it while you’re here. If you need a quick snack, there is also a cafe inside and even if you don’t need any of that, head to the rooftop because there’s an observatory from the top as well.
Sunrise Park
While the Oryukdo Skywalk is what you’ve heard about and might be looking for, be sure to look around and take in the entire area. After parking, you can get an unobstructed view of the Oryukdo Islets from Sunrise Park. Start there.
Climb the hill above the parking lot to enjoy a panoramic view complemented by a cool sea breeze, ecological wetlands, trails, pavilions, and benches. It’s actually a bit less chaotic than the skywalk during high season so you might want to spend a bit of time up here. Bring snacks even and take a rest.
Oryukdo Skywalk
After enjoying the views from above, head down the paths to find Oryukdo Skywalk, situated on the edge of cliffs with unique rock formations. Located at the Seungdumal area, known as a dividing point between the East Sea and the South Sea, Oryukdo Skywalk opened its gates on October 18, 2013, with the theme of “walking over the sky.”
This is not just where the East Sea and South Sea converge, but is also where two of Korea’s cross-province trails converge: Namparang Trail and Haeparang Trail.
The construction involved setting up iron columns over a 35-meter-high coastal cliff, supporting a 15-meter glass bridge made of 24 glass plates providing a clear view of the waves beneath. Yes, if you’re scared of heights, you won’t want to look down up here. The glass flooring, comprising four layers of 12-millimeter glass panels coated with a bulletproof film, guarantees a secure and thrilling experience for visitors. The skywalk offers breathtaking views of the sea, creating the perfect backdrop for memorable photos.
Oryukdo Skywalk was the first skywalk built in Busan, Korea. Though it is shorter than new skywalks in the seaside city like Songdo Cloud Trails, it is still the highest skywalk in Busan at 37 meters high.
Igidae Coastal Trail
There’s nothing like walking along the coasts of Korea to get good vibes and you can walk along the coast here too. Starting from the Oryukdo Quay, you can follow a path/boardwalk along the Igidae Coastal Trail to Yongho Wharf. The entire walk is 4.7km and takes about 2.5 hours so keep that in mind. It’s not a casual half hour adventure. You can get more information at the Haeparang-gil Tourist Information Center (ํดํ๋๊ธธ ๊ด๊ด์๋ด์) near the parking lot.
Boat Service
If you’re not quite done with views of the Oryukdo Islets and want to see them from a different vantage point… a boatside vantage point, head down to the Oryukdo Quay. Just a note that these are really fishing boats because local fishermen will hop on and get dropped off at rocks where they can fish from, but you’re welcome to take a ride to get the views. They offer rides from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Don’t miss Oruykdo Haenyeochon (Women Diver Village) near the quay, where you can taste fresh seafood collected by the renowned Busan haenyeo (women divers).
Oryukdo Skywalk and the surrounding Oryukdo Islets in Busan are beautiful and the area to see it all is the perfect place to take a walk and get some seaside panoramic views. Get ready to explore Busan!
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