Welcome to Geumgang Park in Busan – with a little something for everyone and plenty to see, it’s easy to spend a whole day here. Above is the opening gate to the park…
After walking up one of the paths, I discovered a (mostly empty) theme / amusement park. These are mostly the sort of rides you’d see at a carnival setup in the parking lot of some big-box store, but more permanently placed. It was empty because I was traveling and sightseeing during a weekday – and during the day no less! What was especially was seeing some of the rides operating with no one in them. The second picture was a great ride that rotated two riders all the way around and upside down. The more you worked it the more rotations you got out of it.
As you walk by the temple, you’ll notice these graves to your right. Graves of soldiers who died while defending the Dongdae wall fortress against the Japanese invasion. Their remains were discovered in 1731, moved during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century, and moved here in 1974.
A leisurely-looking walking trail leading up the hill, away from the main road. I didn’t venture further than where I took the picture, as I wasn’t particularly dressed to do lots of hiking! (That and it was a freakin’ hot day).
The Geumgang Cable Car – called a ropeway or cable car, depending on the sign. Note the expression of the guy, along with his positon – it looks like he’s hanging on for dear life!
A couple pictures while in the cable car / ropeway, looking back at Busan. Unlike the N Seoul Tower in Seoul, where you’ll see so many buildings and few mountains, the landscape wasn’t entirely taken up by buildings. That has more to do with the land and size of the city than anything else.
After getting off the cable car, a number of signs pointed several different directions – with the South Gate about 1.3 km away. OK, sure, what the heck, I thought, and off I went.
Several signs like the one above helped you get around the otherwise unmarked mountain. There needed to be more, though – more than once I came to a place where I was unsure which way to go. I mostly went straight or with the main-looking path, and eventually found a sign confirming I’m going the right way.
The walking trail up to the South Gate was pretty easy-going, but tricky walking in some places. Wear some proper hiking boots or a good pair of shoes – tennis shoes do not count, apparently…
Welcome to Geumjeongsanseong, a restored centuries-old fortress. The pictures above are all of the South Gate, one of the commonly used entrances to said fortress. After Japan invaded in 1592 and China invaded in 1636, there were fear of attacks from the sea. During King Sukjong’s reign, this fortress was first constructed in 1703, although the historical sign suggests that fortresses had been built here before then.. There’s 17 kilometers worth of wall, and from 1.5 to 3 meters in height (about 4 1/2′ to 9′) through that length. The fortress protected over 8 kilometers, and although it was destroyed during the Japanese occupation in the early 20th century, it began to be restored in 1972.
A look up at the second story of the structure just above the actual entrance. Although the door was locked and couldn’t enter, I liked the door to the second story:
Coming down the cable car, another look at Busan.
A slightly creepy wooden statue with whiter teeth than most of the tourists.
One of several nice decorations near the entrance of the park.
Overall, Geumgang Park is one of those places that could easily take the whole day or more to explore. I had half a day, but felt like I got to see quite a bit.
Directions to Geumgang Park:
On the Busan subway system, go to the Oncheonjang station and take exit 1. Turn left and walk along the sidewalk until you see a pedestrian overpass. Cross the street and keep going in the same direction. At the traffic light take a right. Walk straight until you come to a five-way interesection. Take the way that’s most straight and keep walking. When the road forks a couple hundred meters later, bear left. Walk to the flashing yellow light, and stay straight. You’re getting close now 🙂 At the top of the hill the road comes to a T. Turn right, then walk about 50 meters and cross on the street. The park should be on your left.
