With the terrain of precipitous sea cliffs, wave-cut terraces and sea caves on each island, animals and plants grow freely in harmony with the deep blue sea - a magnificent sight. It is assumed that the Oryukdo Islands, comprising the same volcanic rocks as the Igidae geological attraction, were once a small peninsula connected to the land, until 120,000 years ago when they were separated by erosion from the pounding waves.
The rocky “Oryukdo” islands, guard the gateway to Busan Port. Their name is attributed to the fact that the five islands huddled together look like five or six depending on the tide. When the middle part of Usakdo (Bangpaeseom and Solseom), the closest to land of the five, fills with water, the islands become six, and when the water subsides, they become five again. Hence the name.
However, this explanation sounds like a modern empirical interpretation. According to the 『Records of Dongnae-bu(1740)』, “The reason why the islands look like five or six is one island among them is only visible depending on viewing position.”
Further, there are many places with dragon-related legends, including Yongho, Yongyeon, Yongdang and Yongdu-chon (village) corresponding to Yongju-myeon in the late Joseon Dynasty period. The white horse in the legend of a Taoist immortal on a white horse ascending into heaven on Sinseondae Cliff was in fact a dragon horse ascending to heaven. Therefore, the mountain of Sinseondae Cliff is called Yongmasan Mountain and the mountain where Dongmyeongburwon Temple is located, in Yongdang-dong, is called Yongbisan Mountain.
Hollyfern, an evergreen foliage plant belonging to the Dryopteridaceae genus, grows on the coast. It can be found in cracks on rocks on the seashore. Its leaves are thick and very tough.
Aster spathulifolius, a perennial herb belonging to chrysanthemum family, grows in the cracks of seashore rocks or mountains, all along the Busan coastline. Its violet flowers blooming in clusters in the autumn are a beautiful sight.
The Igidae and Oryukdo areas comprise volcanic rocks and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks made by lava, volcanic ash and pyroclastic flow from the intense volcanic activity in the late Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era, about 80 million years ago.
Along the Igidae coast and Oryukdo quay are well-developed volcanic breccias, tuffaceous sedimentary rocks and dikes that broke through these rocks and rose up.
Place for boarding Oryukdo Cruise ship where layers of volcanic breccias and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks can be observed.
As the place for information on Oryukdo’s geological attractions and geotrails, Oryukdo Haeparang-gil Tourist Information Center is located within the Oryukdo Haeparang Tourist Center. Busan Geopark and Oryukdo trail leaflets with information about the geological environment of Oryukdo Islands and Igidae Cliff are provided in the Promotional Exhibition Hall on the first floor, for easy access to information about the geological attractions.
Vantage point for sweeping views of the Oyukdo Islands
The rock stands firm as the image of Buddha holding a baby in his arms, wishing for safety and well-being of ships. Well-developed horizontal bedding on tuffaceous sedimentary rocks can be observed.
The landscape of coastal cliffs and wave-cut terraces provides a magnificent view. It is safe to say that the tuffaceous sedimentary rocks, volcanic breccias and acidic dikes that interpenetrated these rocks serve as an ideal resource for geological education and experience.
It is called “Chima (skirt) bawi” because it appears to be standing in Garot (Jeju Island traditional costume) when seen from the sea. Coastal cliffs and wave-cut terraces developed along the coast make up a magnificent sight to behold.
Oryukdo, six islands gathered in a cluster, refresh the eyes and calm the breath as you gaze upon the endless sea. They were named “Oryukdo” because the islands appear as either five or six depending on the ebb and flow of the tides.
| Festival name | Hosting month | Location | Official contact No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Igidae Moon-Viewing Festival | the 15th of the New Year according to the lunar calendar | Igidae Eoul Madang | 051-607-4062 |
| Busan International Performing Arts Festival | May | Busan Cultural Center, etc. | 010-625-2711 |
| Oryukdo Festival | May | Baegunpo Sports Park and Peace Park, etc. | 051-607-4062 |
| Igidae Firefly Festival | June | Igidae Waterfront Park | 051-607-4382 |
| Busan Fireworks Festival | October | around Gwangalli Beach | 051-888-3392 |
| Information center | Official contact No. | Information center | Official contact No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan Station Tourist Information Center | 051-441-6565 | International Passenger Terminal | 051-465-3471 |
| Gimhae Airport (International Terminal) Tourist Center | 051-973-2800 | Gimhae Airport (Domestic Terminal) Tourist Center | 051-973-4607 |
| Suyeong Tourist Information Center | 051-610-4216 | UN Memorial Park Tourist Information Center | 051-625-1608 |
| Busan Tourist Information Center for Foreigners | 051-441-3121 | Oryukdo Haeparang Tourist Information Center | 051-607-6395 |
UN Memorial Park, the world’s only cemetery for UN Forces, honors the service and sacrifice of the UN forces in the pursuit of world peace and freedom. (State-designated Registered Cultural Property No. 359) With the greater significance of memorializing the Korean War, the UN Memorial Park began construction under UN Forces Command in January, 1951, the year after the war, for burial of fallen soldiers. With construction completed in April of the same year, the remains of fallen UN soldiers temporarily buried in Gaeseong, Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, Miryang and Masan began to be relocated to the Park. Currently, 2,300 fallen soldiers from the US, UK and Turkey have been laid to rest there. The main gate, designed by Artichect Kim Jungeop, represents Korea’s traditional modeling in abstract form, while the interior of the Memorial Hall was designed to cherish the significance of 16 nations. The exterior of the building was designed based on multi-national and religious perspectives.
| Viewing hours | Others | |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. ~ Apr. | 09:00~17:00 |
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| May ~ Sept. | 09:00~18:00 | |
Daeyeon Arboretum, an exhibition garden with a 50m-wide green zone surrounding the UN Park in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, includes Herb Garden, Coniferous Forest Garden, Oryukdo Garden, Water Curtain Garden, Deciduous Tree Garden, Evergreen Broad-leaved Tree Garden, Bamboo Grove Garden, Mugunghwa (hibiscus) Reference Garden and Fruit Tree Garden. You can experience about 600 varieties of trees exhibited according to ecology, value of nature and biological diversity. Further, being connected with Busan’s premier cultural tourism belt, Daeyeon Arboretum offers families, students and other visitors a perfect day out for rest and nature immersion.
Peace Park is located south of the UN Memorial Park. Before the park was constructed, the site was home to 51 environment-impacting businesses, such as scrap metal treatment, car maintenance, truck parking and freight transportation, spoiling the urban landscape with noise, dust and soil contamination. Now, it is home to a symbolic park that honors the commitment to freedom and improved quality of life for local residents. It was included in the list of places visited by dignitaries during the “2005 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting”.
The museum exhibits Korean cultural heritage from prehistoric times to the present. It serves to improve citizens’ understanding of our culture and provide related data to professional researchers. It also facilitates academic investigation of prehistoric, ancient and medieval culture of the Busan area, with excavated relics stored there after preservation treatment. Further, as a cultural and resting space for citizens, the museum raises cultural awareness and promotes social education.
| Weekdays and Sunday | every Saturday, last Wednesday of each month |
Closed |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00-18:00(Entry until 17:00) | 09:00-21:00(Entry until 20:00) | Closed every Monday and Jan. 1 |
Gwalli Beach extends from Namcheon-dong in the west to Millak-dong in the east. The endless sandy beach is a major tourist attraction alongside Haeundae Beach. In addition to restaurants with unique ambience, there are about 300 raw fish restaurants, a raw fish center, Eonyang Bulgogi (barbequed beef), Bean Sprout Hangover Soup Alley and Café Street by the beach. With various performances on a regular basis on the beach’s permanent outdoor stage, a range of marine sports including Banana boat and wind surfing can be enjoyed at the waterfront park, beach park, Youth Training Center and Marine Leisure Sports Center nearby. It is a key tourist drawcard with more than 30 million tourists visiting every year, 10 million of which flood in from home and abroad during the summer. Gwalli Beach has cemented its position as a Busan landmark along with Gwangan Bridge, Busan New Media Art Museum and Busan Fireworks Festival.
