Busan Tower and Yongdusan Park: Nampo-dong’s Hilltop Break from the Markets

Busan Tower sits on top of Yongdusan Park — “Dragon Head Mountain” — the hill rising straight out of the middle of Nampo-dong, close enough to Jagalchi Market and BIFF Square that most visitors fold it into the same day rather than making a separate trip.

Busan Tower visitor information

A hill with more history than it looks

Yongdusan — “Dragon Head Mountain” — takes its name from the shape of the peak itself, thought to resemble a dragon’s head watching over the harbour and warding off invaders from the sea; it was known earlier as Songhyeonsan. The hill’s more recent history is heavier: a Japanese enclave (waegwan) operated near its base from the late 17th century, and during the colonial period a Japanese shrine stood on the summit where Busan Tower now stands. After liberation and the Korean War, the hill was turned into Yongdusan Park in 1953, deliberately conceived as a place of rest for a city that had absorbed huge numbers of war refugees. What looks today like a straightforward city park and observation tower sits on ground that’s changed hands and purpose several times over.

The Busan Tower observation deck

Busan Tower has stood over Yongdusan Park since 1973, built as a leisure and sightseeing landmark rather than a broadcasting tower. The observation decks on the 4th and 5th floors take in Busan Harbour, the bridges across it, and Yeongdo Island beyond — on a clear day it’s one of the more complete views of downtown Busan available anywhere in the city, precisely because Yongdusan Park’s hill already does half the climbing for you before the tower adds the rest.

Getting up the hill: the stairs and the escalator

Yongdusan Park sits on high ground above Nampo-dong, and there are two ways up: the stairs through the park itself, or a two-stage outdoor escalator running up from Gwangbok-ro, about a 5-minute walk from Nampo Station Exit 1. It’s genuinely useful on a hot day, but it only runs upward — there’s no matching escalator down, so the return trip is stairs or the walking trail either way.

A local’s note. I’ve climbed the tower myself, and the stairs up through the park are the part that stuck with me — it’s a proper climb. There’s also an escalator up to the park from Gwangbok-ro, which is easy to remember as a little monorail ride since it’s outdoor and rises in stages, though it’s really a two-stage escalator rather than a train. Either way, it’s worth the climb for the view.

What else is in Yongdusan Park

Beyond the tower itself, Yongdusan Park is a proper city park worth the walk on its own terms: a large bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea’s celebrated naval commander, stands near the tower’s base, alongside a flower clock and a traditional bell pavilion. It’s shaded, mostly flat once you’re up top, and a genuine break from the crowds and noise of the markets just down the hill.

A day around Nampo-dong

Busan Tower and Yongdusan Park pair naturally with the rest of the Nampo-dong cluster, and locals tend to run the same loop: Yongdusan Park in the morning while it’s cooler and quieter, BIFF Square in the afternoon for the street food and film history, and Jagalchi Market in the evening for dinner. All three are within a 10–15 minute walk of each other, so the whole day runs on foot without needing transit in between.

If that itinerary runs late, Busan Tower itself is worth a second look after dark — it’s lit up at night and visible from a fair distance across downtown Busan, including from the water side near Jagalchi. You don’t need to go back up for it; even seeing it lit from below or from a restaurant window at Jagalchi rounds out the day.

Getting there

The most direct route is Nampo Station on Line 1, Exit 1, then about 5 minutes on foot to the escalator entrance on Gwangbok-ro. If you’re coming from Jagalchi Market or BIFF Square, it’s an easy uphill walk of 10–15 minutes from either.

Location map

Busan Tower, Yongdusan Park, Jung-gu, Busan:

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to go up Busan Tower?

12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for children, for entry to the 4th and 5th floor observation decks. The tower is open 10am–10pm daily, with last entry 30 minutes before close.

Is there an easy way up to Yongdusan Park?

Yes — a two-stage outdoor escalator runs up from Gwangbok-ro, about a 5-minute walk from Nampo Station Exit 1. It only runs upward, so plan on stairs or the walking trail for the way back down.

Can I walk to Busan Tower from Jagalchi Market?

Yes, it’s about a 10–15 minute uphill walk from either Jagalchi Market or BIFF Square, making it easy to combine all three into one day around Nampo-dong.

What else is in Yongdusan Park besides the tower?

A large statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a flower clock, and a traditional bell pavilion, all within the shaded park grounds around the tower’s base.

Conclusion

Busan Tower and Yongdusan Park are the quieter half of a Nampo-dong day — a climb, a view over the harbour, and a proper park break between the markets. Slot it in the morning before BIFF Square and Jagalchi Market, and the whole district works as one walkable day.

Details checked against official and municipal sources in September 2026. Hours and admission prices can change — confirm before travelling.

Sources

• Busan Tower hours, admission and history: english.visitkorea.or.kr
• Yongdusan Park and the Gwangbok-ro escalator: Busan Navi
• Yongdusan Park history and name origin: Wikipedia