Haeundae Beach (부산)

Haeundae beach is one of the more famous destinations in Busan, on the southeast coast of Korea.  Tens of thousands of tourists travel here in the summer time- both from South Korea and outside. If you google Haeundae beach, you’ll find what looks to be just thousands of people instead of an actual beach.  This does not look like somewhere I want to be…

   
(Photos courtesy of Google Images)

This weekend wasn’t quite as busy, but there was a sand sculpture festival! In the past I’ve seen pictures of coloured sand sculptures, but I didn’t see any of those this year. Actually some of the sand sculptures were a little confusing; Native Americans with jaguars and ostriches. Not sure how that one came about.

At the end of the beach there was a GIANT mountain of sand. Kids were eagerly running up the sides only to slowly, trickle down the hill on sleds. I was impressed- although their faces were of complete disappointment as they inched down the hill, they sure were patient.

      

    

Fun fact: During the 2006 FIFA World Cup match between South Korea and Togo more than 50,000 spectators filled the beach to cheer for the Korean team on a giant projector screen.

Later that day, we also ventured to Gwangalli Beach, which is just east of Haeundae beach.  It was a little quieter and had an amazing view. At night the bridge lights up too!

This was the view we had ^

   
(Photos courtesy of Google Images)

These pictures are a little more picturesque than the one I took this weekend. Next time, I’d love to see the bridge at night.