Dongbaekseom 동백섬 , Busan

Dongbaekseom 동백섬, or Dongbaek Island, is a small island in Haeundae, Busan, which has great walking trails with a terrific view of the ocean. If you're there from December to April, you'll see tons of camellias. And it's free to enter! Read through for the

A traditional Korean pavilion on top of stone steps.

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Why Visit
What to See/ Do
How to Get There
Travel Tips
What to Do Nearby
Other Busan Attractions

Located at one end of Haeundae Beach, behind The Westin Chosun hotel, is a small "island", Haeundae Dongbaekseom Island 해운대 동백섬, also known as Camellia Island. (I say "island" because the once-island is now connected to Haeundae Beach due to natural sedimentation.)

The best time to visit is between winter and spring, when the camellias are blooming all over the island. If visiting Busan in winter or spring, click through for the packing lists you'll need for each season

Camelia flower blooming in the middle of green leaves. — Camelia flower in Dongbaek Island at the end of April.

Why Visit

A suspension bridge above the rocks and water., with trees behind it.

It's free to enter (click here for more free tourist attractions in Busan)
You get an amazing view of the coast on the walking paths: you can see Haeundae Beach and Gwangang Bridge.
Easy hike as there is a walking path built around it: it takes about 45 minutes to go all around the paths.
Scroll down for more on the attractions on the island.
It's designated the 46th monument of Busan!

If you're not the fittest but enjoy walking, you could try Dongbaekseom but note that parts of the walk will involve wooden stairs and hilly terrain (so you may not be able to see the whole island.) Also I would recommend entering by the main entrance as the 2nd entrance involves climbing steps. There is a wheelchair-friendly toilet on the island.

What to See/ Do

View of LCT tower from the 2nd entrance of Dongbaek Island in Busan. — View of LCT tower from the 2nd entrance of Dongbaek Island.

There are several things to see:

a monument inscribed with a poem of the scholar Choi Chi-won (who used to visit the beach and gave Haeundae Beach its name)
a mermaid statue (reminds me of the one at Songdo Beach- I show both below, which do you prefer?): based on the legend of Princess Hwagok, who was apparently a mermaid that swam around Busan. The original statue was erected in 1974, but was badly damaged by Typhoon Thelma in 1987 so the upper part of the original statue is now kept in Busan Museum. What you see below is a replica sculpture that was created and installed in 1989.

Large piece of artwork in Nurimaru APEC House in Busan. — Korean artwork in Nurimaru APEC House.

Nurimaru APEC house 누리마루 APEC하우스: the 2005 APEC meetings were held here. There's some art inside but overall, it's not very interesting to be honest. (As in I wouldn't visit Dongbaek Island just for this unless you're an APEC fan.)
amazing views of the water and Haeundae Beach

A wooden board showing a map of Dongbaek Island. — On the island, you'll see signs showing maps, as shown here.

There are 2 walking trails to choose from:

a 450m coastal trail on a raised wooden deck (involves steps) along the coastline
a 930m circular trail inside the island, around the forest (you won't always see the water on this path)

Wooden staircase leading downwards, with the ocean underneath and LCT tower behind.

Personally I find the wooden trail more scenic, but it will be a bit more challenging for older folks. (Some of the wooden boards are a bit uneven and need maintenance.)

Mermaid statue seen at Dongbaekseom Island, Haeundae, Busan.

A statue of a mermaid at Turtle Island, Songdo Beach, Busan, South Korea. — Mermaid statue at turtle island, Songdo Beach, Busan

How to Get There

Westin Josun Hotel on the left of a road in Haeundae, Busan. — When walking to the main entrance of Camellia Island, you'll pass Westin Josun Busan on the left.

View from the second entrance of Dongbaek Island in Busan. — The 2nd entrance to Camellia Island, which is located next to the back entrance of Westin Josun Hotel. (basically where it meets Haeundae Beach.) The hotel will be on your right as you enter the Dongbaek walking paths.

Address: 67, Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan ~ 부산광역시 해운대구 동백로 67

Don't forget to print out the Korean name and address to show the cab driver or in case you need to ask for directions!

If you're facing the ocean, Dongbaek Island is located on the extreme right. There are 2 ways to enter, both next to The Westin Josun hotel on Haeundae Beach.

To get there:

taxi: from Busan station to the entrance of Dongbaekseon (about 35 minutes)
subway:
- stop at Dongbaek Station, which is on Line 2. Walk out of exit 1, then straight along Dongdaek-ro. (about 15 mintues walk.) You'll pass the Westin Josun hotel, which is right before the main entrance of Dongbaek Island.
- if you want to see more of Haeundae Beach, you can also get off at Haeundae Station, make your way to the beach, then walk to the right (facing the waters.) When you reach the end, with the Westin Josun hotel in front of you, take the path to the left. This is the 2nd entrance into Dongbaek Island (not the main entrance.)
bus: From Busan Station (KTX: main entrance or Subway Station: line 1, Exit 6), cross to the bus stop in the middle of the road and take #1003, stopping at Dongbaek Island 동백섬입구. You'll need to walk back 100m (in the direction the bus came from), take the first left to Dongbaek-ro, walk past the Westin hotel, and you'll reach the main entrance. (About 5 minutes walk.)

In Korea, bus stops (especially those in the middle of the road) often have buses going in both directions. Make sure you're taking the right one!

The flat, red path at the main entrance of Dongbaek Island in Busan. — The main entrance of Dongbaek Island in Busan.

A red walking path in Dongbaek Island, Busan. — The first bit of the walking path in Dongbaekseom is very flat, before it turns into wooden staircases.

Travel Tips

Sign for the toilets next to a flat walking path.

There's no where to eat on Dongbaek Island so bring your own snacks or grab a bite before you visit. Here's a lit of the best foods to eat in Busan.
There are toilets on the island (including disabled access.)

What to Do Nearby

A sculpture of 2 hands forming a heart in Busan. — The view from the walking path at Haeundae Blue Line Park.

At the other end of Haeundae Beach is Haeundae Blue Line Park where there is also a very nice walking trail.
Go for lunch at The Lounge, Signiel Busan along Haeundae Beach. The food is good and it's reply!

The walking trail at Haeundae Blue Line Park (the Green Railway) may be more suitable for the elderly as it's flatter than the one at Dongbaek.