Insert my usual warning about lots of photos – be patient if you’re on a slower internet connection 🙂

태종대, or Taejongdae, may have won my vote for ‘favorite destination’ of 2008. The time spent here was wonderful, relaxing, and filled with beautiful sights. Located in the southern part of Busan along the coast, expect to spend a full day exploring the sights and trying to take it all in.

This site wouldn’t be completely appreciated without a little history. The name Taejongdae comes from the 29th king of the Silla dynasty, King TaeJong Mu-Yeol, in the seventh century. This, apparently, was the place he enjoyed shooting arrows. Another part of the park next to the water, Sinseon Rock, is named after a myth that gods and goddesses came here to relax. In the modern era, it’s been a resort park since 1967 (but doesn’t look a day over 20) 🙂

After walking a couple hundred meters up the hill towards the tram station, buy a ticket to use the colorful tram (1,500 won – about $1.25). One leaves from the bottom station every 20-30 minutes (more frequent during the afternoons; less so during the mornings). Get off, then get back on later on after you’ve explored a bit. One nice touch: the tram plays the standard ‘this stop is…’ messages in Korean, English, and Chinese.

One nice way of seeing what there is to see before you get there. The tram makes six stops along the way – nearest to the most common places worth seeing along the way. A wide sidewalk makes it easy walking if you want to hike.

Looking out the Observatory Deck – quite a few ships on the horizon.

Looking down from the Observatory Deck – wow is the only word that comes to mind.

A mother and child statue at the Observatory Deck. I recall something about its comfortable image hoping to prevent suicides by jumping off the cliff a short walk away.

Going inside from the Observation Deck and get some lunch – a western-style restaurant makes up the first floor, while a Korean-style restaurant makes up the second floor.

A slightly creepy hamburger-man greets you as you enter.

It is, of course, nice to know that beer and soju are available… OK, moving on…

Hey, look! I’m going down the stairs to a tourist destination! This is a first…

Before reaching the lighthouse, there’s a nice lookout point – and an art gallery.

A sample of what’s inside – interesting, but small – and much more interesting things to see outside.

The aforementioned Sinseon Rock – where the gods and goddesses would come to relax after all their.. hard work?

Entitled “Light Beyond Limitation” by Ji Sul Won Kyung-Lee (Korea), the blue circle “connotes the sky and the sea” while the red circle symbolizes “the sun, camellia flower, universe, five oceans, and six continents”. The bar (or pointy arrow) “symbolizes the light from the lighthouse”. Wonder if they left anything for other work to symbolize…

This artwork requires less interpretation – a mermaid on the seaside of a lighthouse? Just makes sense.

A maze of stairs leads the tourist past the lighthouse, down to the waves and rocks close to the water. Just keep heading down stairs until you find the water – you’ll make it!

A Lighthouse Excursion Boat attracting quite a few seagulls. More than a few aboard threw food in the water to help the process, of course.

At this point I began meandering on the rocks near the water – watching how the waves came in and out and making my way closer. Once you reach the rocks, your hike becomes a little more interesting – walking on uneven rocks can do that.

Sometimes, no commentary is necessary – just sit back, see the pictures full screen, and enjoy.

The Pebble Ground was an intriguing sight – a beach made up of smooth stones just meters away from the uneven sharp rocks I walked on to get here.

Walking was a bit like walking on sand – but the highlight was the sound. As the waves pulled back, you could hear the rocks being pulled with the waves – colliding with other stones along the way of the wave.

A small cave that appeared dry, but it didn’t look like you could get really far in without fear of getting stuck.

Some signs of civilization – or rather, a seaside Korean restaurant.

OK, as much as I love watching the waves crash into rocks, there’s more park to see. Once back up the 500+ steps from the rocks to the street (no need for the gym after this trip), I walked along the road side instead of jumping back on the tram.

Pretty easy walking once back on the road.

A souvenir shop – closed, but window shopping was still interesting.

The next stop of interest was Taejongsa, a Buddhist temple not far from the main road.

I could hear some chanting from the inside, so I didn’t venture any closer so as to disrupt anything.

The only other major building within sight – not a lot to see as far as buildings go.

An outdoor Buddha, complete with mats and donation box.

A little further down the road was a pretty typical Korean playground / exercise station:

The bars in the foreground are essentially shoulder / standing bench presses – I’m far from a jock, so there’s probably a better name than that. Every piece of equipment is around to stretch or tone, although it’s not a replacement for your gym membership since it’s not a very strenuous exercise.

From here I walked down the hill back to the main entrance – a wonderful time filled with mountains, water, hiking, and pictures. More than a few Koreans brought their dates here for the sights.

Directions: On the Busan subway system, take line 1 to the Nampo-dong station, then go out exit 10. Look for local bus 8 and take it all the way to the last stop (a bus terminal / parking lot). From there, face the main street and turn left. Buses 30, 88, and 101 also go to Taejongdae from other parts of town.