(published in the July-August 2018 printed edition of Groove Magazine)

The Haeundae Beach may be the most famous beach in all of South Korea. So, it’s not a surprise when everyone takes the train to Busan on hot, summer days to frolic in the shoreline of Haeundae. For those who ran out of tickets for train to Busan, you can opt for the faster plane from Gimpo Airport. For reference, plane ride from Gimpo takes you for 1 hour and 5 minutes while KTX from Seoul Station will bring you to Busan Station for 2 hours and 15 minutes.

What’s in Haeundae that makes people go back?

The beach is the most obvious attraction, of course. Comes July, the beach is open to the public for swimming. But surprise! Those who come as early as May already enjoy the beach. Technically, people are not allowed to swim before the beaches officially open in July but warmer weather that sometimes sneaks in late Spring invite for frolicking in the shallow waters. May and June allow you to see the raw beauty of the shoreline sans those huge and colorful beach umbrellas.

During the peak of summer, the shoreline is graced with summer hues. These beach umbrellas cover the stretch of the Haeundae Beach. Love them or hate them, they are there to stay summer after summer.

The fine sand complements the beach. But there’s more to it than just being secondary to its waters. The sand itself makes up for its own festival. Do you know that there is an annual Sand Festival happening every May? Artists create their huge sand art and delights the crowd with images you would wish to never destroy. But the medium itself knows its own life span so people enjoy them while they last and immortalize the artworks with photos.

In contrast, the Busan Aquarium right beside the road by the beach offers entertainment all-year round. It is astonishing visitors still need to queue with a long line of visitors wanting to get in. One would think there was no need to be inside an aquarium while in the beach where nature presents itself raw. But no, the Aquarium calls and didn’t disappoint. Though the beach gives you the natural feel of sea life, the aquarium provides visitors with state-of the art facilities and attractions that showcase an extensive collection of marine life.

The prime location of Westin Chosun Busan makes for a picturesque backdrop. It is located on the farthest end of the beach overlooking the whole shoreline of the beach. The hotel is by the rocky side of the beach but these rocks exist for a reason. They surround the large rock where the mystical statue of Princess Hwangok stands. Hers is a story of mourning. It was said that she married King Eunhye of Mugung, she misses her own Kingdom of Naranda so she would sit down by this rock and mourn. Today, her statue is one of the most photographed in the area. She becomes even more dramatic when you catch her being washed by the waves. She is enough reason to go up the wooden steps by the side of the hotel.

These wooden steps also lead to the road going up the Nurimaru APEC House. Taking these wooden steps is the longer way leading to the APEC House, but it is also the more adventurous trail. The other way is to pass by the front of Westin Chosun Hotel. It is the uneventful, safer way but it leads you to the same road going up the APEC House. It is a beautiful 3-story building mounted in a blessed landscape, naturally beautiful and fascinating. It preserves the memory of the APEC of 2005, the 13^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Aside from the well-preserved interiors, the surrounding landscape holds memories of the leaders who attended. Visitors can stand on the spot of the leaders on their official APEC photo accentuated by the lighthouse standing tall and proud.

Aside from the APEC House, the Lighthouse is another tourist attraction in the area. Your relaxing stroll towards the Lighthouse viewpoint rewards you with a splendid view of the Gwangan Bridge, aptly called the “Diamond Bridge”. At night, it shines bright and glorious.

This summer presents another reason to go back to Haeundae. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been there, the water and the sands and more are relentlessly beckoning you to come and enjoy again and again.

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