Taejongdae

Follow the trail through the dense pine forest and, where the trees end, grey cliffs drop away tens of metres beneath your feet with waves breaking white at the bottom. Taejongdae, a low hilly headland under 200 m high at the south-eastern tip of Yeongdo island, is Busan's signature coastal landscape. On a clear day you can see Japan's Tsushima island on the horizon.

The name

Several stories explain the name. One says King Taejong Muyeol of Silla, who unified the Three Kingdoms, came here to practise archery. Another says that after Joseon's King Taejong prayed for rain during a great drought and rain fell, the local magistrates followed his example and held rain rituals here whenever drought struck. There is also the tale of Mangbuseok, a woman who turned to stone waiting for her husband to return from the sea.

Taejongdae was made a Busan monument in 1972 and a national Scenic Site in 2005, recognised for the way its black pine and hackberry woods, typical of Korea's southern coast, combine with its dramatic cliffs.

Geology: Cretaceous layers carved by the sea

The rock here is sedimentary strata laid down under a lake in the Cretaceous period. Long erosion by waves has created sea caves, wave-cut platforms and sea cliffs, and the bedding is clearly visible from Taejongdae to the Dongsam-dong shore. Around Sinseon Rock there are dinosaur footprint fossils: first found in 1999, later surveys counted 155 in all. The area is now a site of the Busan National Geopark.

What to see

• Cliffs and the observatory: viewpoints and clifftop rest areas line the loop road.
• Yeongdo Lighthouse and Sinseon Rock: go down past the lighthouse to the broad rock shelf of Sinseon Rock and the Mangbuseok stone.
• Taejongsa Temple: a temple in the Taejongdae woods, often visited along with the lighthouse.
• Boat trips: cruise boats leave from the landing to the left of the loop road entrance to show the cliffs from the sea.

Nearby

• Gamji Beach: a beach close to the Taejongdae entrance.
• Yeongdo Haenyeo Culture Exhibition Hall and the National Maritime Museum: close to Taejongdae, continuing the sea theme.
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village: a clifftop village on Yeongdo's west side, with lanes overlooking the sea.

Tripto tips

• Hours: the park is open 04:00–24:00 from March to October and 05:00–24:00 from November to February. Entry is free.
• Danubi train: a road train around the loop costs KRW 4,000 for adults, KRW 2,000 for teenagers and KRW 1,500 for children, and does not run on Mondays. Walking the loop is also a pleasant option.
• Seasonal trail closures: to prevent forest fires and protect the ecosystem, some mountain paths may be closed from 1 February to 15 May and from 1 November to 15 December. Check before you go.
• Time needed: about 1.5 hours for the train and lighthouse area; 2–3 hours to walk the loop.
• Getting there: the metro does not reach Taejongdae. City buses including 8, 30, 88, 101 and 186 run here from Nampo-dong or Busan Station. It combines well with Huinnyeoul Culture Village.
• Safety: the rocks around Sinseon Rock are dangerous in high seas; stay away from the edge.