Yongdusan Park & Busan Tower

Yongdusan Park sits on a hill overlooking Busan Harbor, with a tower rising above it.

The hill's name means 'dragon's head,' a shape it's said to resemble, and it was long regarded as a natural guardian protecting Busan from Japanese raiders. Inside the park, a statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin — hero of the 16th-century naval battles against Japan — stands facing the harbor.

The tower opened in 1973 as Busan's first major observation deck and was a beloved landmark for decades before a 2021 renovation gave it a new name: Busan Diamond Tower. From the 120m-high observatory, the old downtown, Busan Port Bridge, and the Jagalchi area unfold below in one sweeping view.

Because it's the closest hill from which locals can watch ships coming and going from the harbor, Yongdusan Park has long been a favorite short escape for a walk in the middle of the city.

Honestly, though, the observatory ticket runs about ₩12,000 for adults, which isn't cheap for a Busan attraction — if you're short on time, a walk through the park alone still gives you a decent view of the old downtown.

The hill is fairly steep, but the Yongdusan elevator from the Nampo-dong side takes you straight to the top without the stairs.

Park entry is free, and it's about a 5-10 minute walk from Nampo Station (Line 1), Exit 7.