What Is Busan Tower?
Busan Tower (also called Diamond Tower after a 2021 renovation) is a 120-meter observation tower standing atop Yongdusan Park in the heart of Nampo-dong. Originally built in 1973, the tower offers 360-degree views of the city, Busan Harbor, Yeongdo Island and the surrounding mountains.
The tower is the centerpiece of Yongdusan Park, a hilltop green space connected to the surrounding streets by escalators and staircases. Between the park and the tower, you can spend 1 to 2 hours here, with more time if you explore Nampo-dong afterward.
Yongdusan Park
Yongdusan means Dragon Head Mountain, named for the hill's shape. The park sits on the summit and is one of the oldest public parks in Busan.
- Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue: A large bronze statue of Korea's most celebrated naval hero, surrounded by model turtle ships.
- Flower clock: A working clock face made of seasonal flowers. A popular photo spot since the 1970s.
- Outdoor escalators: Free escalators from the Gwangbok-ro shopping street carry you up the hill, saving a steep climb.
- Octagonal pavilion: A traditional Korean pavilion with benches and shade — a good resting point.
- Citizens' bell: A large bell rung on New Year's Eve and national holidays.
The park is open 24 hours and free to enter. The tower observation deck has separate hours and admission.
Observation Deck
The observation deck sits at the top of the tower and provides panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Interactive screens identify landmarks in every direction.
| Direction | What You See |
|---|
| North | Busan Station, mountains, residential hillside neighborhoods |
| East | Busan Harbor Bridge, container port |
| South | Yeongdo Island, Taejongdae in the distance |
| West | Nampo-dong streets, Jagalchi Market waterfront, Songdo Beach |
The deck also includes a small cafe serving coffee and snacks, a souvenir shop and a photo zone with props.
Visit at sunset (about 30 minutes before) to catch the transition from daylight city views to illuminated night panorama in a single visit.
Love Locks
The fence surrounding the tower base is covered in thousands of love locks — padlocks inscribed with couples' names and wishes. You can buy a lock at the gift shop on the ground floor for ₩5,000-10,000 or bring your own.
The tradition started here around 2010 and the fence is now densely packed. Staff periodically remove older locks to make space, so do not expect yours to last forever — but the gesture counts.
Night Views
Busan Tower is arguably best experienced after dark. The city lights up spectacularly — Busan Harbor Bridge glows blue, the port cranes become illuminated sculptures and the Nampo-dong streets below buzz with neon.
- The tower itself is lit with color-changing LEDs that shift through the evening.
- Best night-viewing window: 19:00-21:00 when the city is fully lit but the deck is not yet crowded.
- The park grounds offer free night views of the city without paying for the observation deck.
- Gwangbok-ro, the shopping street below the park, is beautifully illuminated at night.
If you want night views without paying for the deck, the park grounds around the tower base offer excellent free vantage points.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Yongdusan Park entry | Free |
| Tower observation deck — adult | ₩12,000 |
| Tower observation deck — child (3-12) | ₩9,000 |
| Love lock (gift shop) | ₩5,000-10,000 |
| Coffee at observation cafe | ₩4,500-6,000 |
| Outdoor escalator to park | Free |
Discount coupons for the observation deck are sometimes available at Busan tourism information centers and on the Visit Busan website.
Nearby Attractions in Nampo-dong
Busan Tower sits in the middle of Nampo-dong, one of Busan's most walkable and attraction-dense neighborhoods. You can easily combine the tower with these nearby spots:
- Jagalchi Fish Market: 10-minute walk downhill. Korea's largest seafood market.
- BIFF Square: 5-minute walk. Street-food paradise with ssiat hotteok and eomuk.
- Gukje International Market: 7-minute walk. Sprawling covered bazaar.
- Gwangbok-ro Shopping Street: At the base of the park escalators. Fashion, cosmetics and cafes.
- Yeongdo Bridge: 10-minute walk. Busan's historic bascule bridge with a daily opening at 14:00.
- Songdo Beach & Cable Car: 15-minute bus or taxi ride west. A scenic coastal cable car over the water.
A natural half-day route: Jagalchi Market for lunch, walk to BIFF Square for dessert, escalator up to Yongdusan Park, Busan Tower for sunset, then dinner in Nampo-dong.
Getting There
- Metro: Nampo Station (Line 1, Exit 1). Walk 5 minutes to the Gwangbok-ro escalators, ride up to the park.
- Also reachable from Jagalchi Station (Line 1, Exit 3). Walk uphill through the market area, about 10 minutes.
- From Busan Station: Metro Line 1 southbound, 3 stops to Nampo. About 8 minutes.
- From Seomyeon: Metro Line 1, about 12 minutes.
- From Haeundae: Metro Line 2 to Seomyeon, transfer to Line 1, exit at Nampo. About 45 minutes.
- By taxi from Seomyeon: ₩6,000-9,000, about 15 minutes.
Emergencies anywhere in Korea: 112 police, 119 fire/medical, 1330 for the 24/7 KTO tourist helpline (free, English/JP/CN/ES).
What Is Busan Tower?
Busan Tower (also called Diamond Tower after a 2021 renovation) is a 120-meter observation tower standing atop Yongdusan Park in the heart of Nampo-dong. Originally built in 1973, the tower offers 360-degree views of the city, Busan Harbor, Yeongdo Island and the surrounding mountains.
The tower is the centerpiece of Yongdusan Park, a hilltop green space connected to the surrounding streets by escalators and staircases. Between the park and the tower, you can spend 1 to 2 hours here, with more time if you explore Nampo-dong afterward.
Yongdusan Park
Yongdusan means Dragon Head Mountain, named for the hill's shape. The park sits on the summit and is one of the oldest public parks in Busan.
- Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue: A large bronze statue of Korea's most celebrated naval hero, surrounded by model turtle ships.
- Flower clock: A working clock face made of seasonal flowers. A popular photo spot since the 1970s.
- Outdoor escalators: Free escalators from the Gwangbok-ro shopping street carry you up the hill, saving a steep climb.
- Octagonal pavilion: A traditional Korean pavilion with benches and shade — a good resting point.
- Citizens' bell: A large bell rung on New Year's Eve and national holidays.
The park is open 24 hours and free to enter. The tower observation deck has separate hours and admission.
Observation Deck
The observation deck sits at the top of the tower and provides panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Interactive screens identify landmarks in every direction.
| Direction | What You See |
|---|
| North | Busan Station, mountains, residential hillside neighborhoods |
| East | Busan Harbor Bridge, container port |
| South | Yeongdo Island, Taejongdae in the distance |
| West | Nampo-dong streets, Jagalchi Market waterfront, Songdo Beach |
The deck also includes a small cafe serving coffee and snacks, a souvenir shop and a photo zone with props.
Visit at sunset (about 30 minutes before) to catch the transition from daylight city views to illuminated night panorama in a single visit.
Love Locks
The fence surrounding the tower base is covered in thousands of love locks — padlocks inscribed with couples' names and wishes. You can buy a lock at the gift shop on the ground floor for ₩5,000-10,000 or bring your own.
The tradition started here around 2010 and the fence is now densely packed. Staff periodically remove older locks to make space, so do not expect yours to last forever — but the gesture counts.
Night Views
Busan Tower is arguably best experienced after dark. The city lights up spectacularly — Busan Harbor Bridge glows blue, the port cranes become illuminated sculptures and the Nampo-dong streets below buzz with neon.
- The tower itself is lit with color-changing LEDs that shift through the evening.
- Best night-viewing window: 19:00-21:00 when the city is fully lit but the deck is not yet crowded.
- The park grounds offer free night views of the city without paying for the observation deck.
- Gwangbok-ro, the shopping street below the park, is beautifully illuminated at night.
If you want night views without paying for the deck, the park grounds around the tower base offer excellent free vantage points.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Yongdusan Park entry | Free |
| Tower observation deck — adult | ₩12,000 |
| Tower observation deck — child (3-12) | ₩9,000 |
| Love lock (gift shop) | ₩5,000-10,000 |
| Coffee at observation cafe | ₩4,500-6,000 |
| Outdoor escalator to park | Free |
Discount coupons for the observation deck are sometimes available at Busan tourism information centers and on the Visit Busan website.
Nearby Attractions in Nampo-dong
Busan Tower sits in the middle of Nampo-dong, one of Busan's most walkable and attraction-dense neighborhoods. You can easily combine the tower with these nearby spots:
- Jagalchi Fish Market: 10-minute walk downhill. Korea's largest seafood market.
- BIFF Square: 5-minute walk. Street-food paradise with ssiat hotteok and eomuk.
- Gukje International Market: 7-minute walk. Sprawling covered bazaar.
- Gwangbok-ro Shopping Street: At the base of the park escalators. Fashion, cosmetics and cafes.
- Yeongdo Bridge: 10-minute walk. Busan's historic bascule bridge with a daily opening at 14:00.
- Songdo Beach & Cable Car: 15-minute bus or taxi ride west. A scenic coastal cable car over the water.
A natural half-day route: Jagalchi Market for lunch, walk to BIFF Square for dessert, escalator up to Yongdusan Park, Busan Tower for sunset, then dinner in Nampo-dong.
Getting There
- Metro: Nampo Station (Line 1, Exit 1). Walk 5 minutes to the Gwangbok-ro escalators, ride up to the park.
- Also reachable from Jagalchi Station (Line 1, Exit 3). Walk uphill through the market area, about 10 minutes.
- From Busan Station: Metro Line 1 southbound, 3 stops to Nampo. About 8 minutes.
- From Seomyeon: Metro Line 1, about 12 minutes.
- From Haeundae: Metro Line 2 to Seomyeon, transfer to Line 1, exit at Nampo. About 45 minutes.
- By taxi from Seomyeon: ₩6,000-9,000, about 15 minutes.
Emergencies anywhere in Korea: 112 police, 119 fire/medical, 1330 for the 24/7 KTO tourist helpline (free, English/JP/CN/ES).