Taejongdae Park (태종대공원) in Busan

Taejongdae lighthouse scene
Taejongdae Park is located not far from my neighborhood in Yeongdo-gu, Busan - an island right off the tip of Busan next to Nampo-dong shopping district.  Yeoungdo is home to many great things such as the Korea Maritime University and it's associated brand new Maritime Museum, Kosin (고신) University (Christian school), and of course Taejongdae Park (태종대공원).



A brief history from the Korean Tourism Site


Taejongdae cliffs
"Designated as a Busan monument, along with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae (태종대) represents Busan, and is especially famous for its rock beach. Featuring its highest peak at 250 meters, there are forests of pine trees and other 200 varieties of trees. Taejongdae was named after the 29th king of Silla Dynasty BC57~AD 935), King TaeJong Mu-Yeol (604~661). King TaeJong had traveled to many places but this was the place he enjoyed shooting arrows. Under the lighthouse of this resort is a rock called Sinseon Rock, named after the myth that gods and goddesses came down here to relax. At this rock is a figure called Mangbuseok, named after the story of a woman who waited for her husband who had been taken to Japan. Taejongdae is also famous for the ritual of praying for rain, performed when there are droughts, and rain on the 10th of lunar May is called the 'Taejong Rain'. On days with clear skies you can see Japan’s Daema Island from the observatory."
  
Taejongdae Park is a large circular road on a far sided cliff of Yeoungdo overlooking the East Sea.  The 4.3 km lap is set in densely populated forest which emerges at a number of sites where you can enjoy the views of where the rocky cliffs and ocean collide.  There's also a trolley for families with kids.  It takes a little more than an hour to make it around the path while comfortably seeing everything.  That is unless you decide to stop for a meal or refreshments and one of the many eateries. 

The main attractions are the lighthouse and the glass observatory deck.  The lighthouse is probably the most "iconic" of the two.  It has the well known compass-like structure pointing out into the ocean that many of us have seen in pictures once we came to Busan.  Both sites were far more impressive in person though.  I honestly didn't realize how large the structures were.  They are also set right into the cliffs and you have to climb down a long flight of stairs to see them first hand.  Then you have to climb back up!  That was fun.  No matter where you stop to look out, be it the ocean, small islands, or the shores along Busan, it was epic in nature.  I happened to venture out on one of the most perfect days.  Cool and sunny.  It made some of the views breathtaking.  Not just looking out into the water, but down the cliffs at the folks on the rocky shore.





Taejongdae is a great afternoon activity.  Since it's right here in my backyard, I'll more than likely go back just to walk around the path and see the great sights again during the other seasons.  Maybe shoot a few arrows out over the water like King Taejong.








the Red Dragon Diaries

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