Dalmaji Hill

A hillside road over Mt. Wau, linking the east end of Haeundae Beach to Cheongsapo — this is Dalmaji Hill.

The moonrise seen from this densely forested hill has long been counted among Korea's eight great scenic views, and poets and scholars of old came here to compose verses about it — which is why crowds still gather to watch the full moon on the lunar New Year's first full moon.

Haewoljeong pavilion, built in 1997, has become the hill's landmark, and a sculpture park, wildflower garden, and outdoor concert hall around it make this more than just a viewpoint — a place for walking and culture together.

In spring especially, cherry trees bloom brilliantly along both sides of the hill road, a stretch famous enough to be called the "15-ri cherry blossom road," making it a season when moon-gazing and flower-viewing coincide.

Honestly, though, being a hillside road means some incline to walk, requiring a bit of stamina, and the road gets quite congested on cherry-blossom-season weekends.

It connects naturally from Haeundae Beach toward Cheongsapo and Songjeong, making it easy to fold into a walking route; it's open at all times, free, with parking available.