Now that spring is in full swing, it is a wonderful time to take a trip anywhere. Today, we want to introduce you to the islands of Busan, where you can really feel the spring in the air. Specifically, it is a trip to Yeongdo, whose popularity has grown quite significantly among the travelers in Busan, as well as Songdo and Eulsukdo Island. Take two nights and three days for this leisurely trip to enjoy the spring in Busan!

The first destination on our trip is Yeongdo. The gateway to the island of Yeongdo is the Kangkangee Arts Village. The neighborhood of Daepyeong-dong, Yeongdo-gu, which faces the famous Jagalchi Market, is the site of the first modern shipyard in Korea. The shipbuilding structures and businesses still maintain their existence here, and Kangkangee Arts Village is no exception. The view of the massive ships put aground for repairs is something that those not working in the sea can rarely see.

Huinnyeoul Culture Village, a five-minute drive away from the Kangkangee Arts Village, is known for its exotic scenery resembling a possible place in Europe. The colorful houses clustered on a steep hill and the blue sea dominated by massive ships are the reasons why you must visit Yeongdo. Pink flowers blooming in alleyways bring the scent of the spring to the traveler.

Below the Huinnyeoul Culture Village are walking trails along the coast, which is the Jeoryeong Coastal Trail, named after Jeoryeongdo, the former name of Yeongdo. It is a 10 km-long trail that connects Huinnyeoul Culture Village with Huinnyeoul Tunnel, Jungni Port, and Taejongdae Park along the mysterious and majestic coastal rock formations. Step onto the observation deck in the middle of the trail, and you can see the Tsushima Island of Japan, seemingly just out of reach.

The final stop on our Yeongdo trip is Taejongdae Park. Taejongdae Park is one of the most famous tourist sites in Busan. Its enduring popularity is based on the combination of the lush forests and the breathtaking view of the sea. In spring, Taejongdae Park is awash in the fragrance of the season, thanks to spring flowers like cherry blossoms, magnolia, and camellia. You can opt to take the Danubi Train at the entrance to the park to save the time and energy required to hit all the important sites in the park, such as Yeongdo Lighthouse, the observatory, and Taejongsa Temple.

Yeongdo is also a good place to pick out your accommodations for the night, either in hotels with great views around Busandaegyo Bridge or independent buildings across the area that offer you privacy.

On the second day of our trip, we set out to Songdo. The starting point is Songdo Beach, which opened in 1913 as the first public beach in Korea.

The recent addition of a cable car service and the renovations have rejuvenated the popularity of this historic beach among tourists. In particular, the cable car, also known as the Busan Air Cruise, established itself as an immediate favorite among visitors to Songdo thanks to its 1.6 km-long route that brings you to Amnam Park across the coast.

Songdo Cloud Trails is another popular destination. Its most notable feature is the reinforced glass sections on its floor, which enables a thrilling walk far above the waves. Don’t miss the Geobukseom Island, from which the name Songdo comes. This small island in the middle of the trails is the site of a local legend, a love story between the daughter of the sea dragon and a fisherman. Today, Geobukseom Island remembers the legend with statues of the lovers.

Once you have visited Songdo Cloud Trails and Geobukseom Island, take the Busan Air Cruise to Amnam Park. The cable car station leads immediately to the park. Amnam Park, which is home to sedimentary rock formations and dinosaur footprints formed 100 million years ago, was once a military area that restricted civilian entrance. Because of this, it retains a slice of untouched nature despite its urban location. Four forest trails in the park provide a collection of spring flowers.

The final stop on our Songdo trip is Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge. This bridge is a restoration of the Geobukseom Suspension Bridge, formerly a beloved attraction of Songdo Beach, relocated to Dongseom Island in front of Amnam Park. It offers a wonderful view of the sea and the coastal rock formations in Songdo. The bridge is designed to circle around Dongseom Island, so it is also a great place to see Busan’s sea from different angles. Recently, a number of hotels have moved into the Songdo Beach area to take advantage of its wonderful “ocean view.” The prices remain quite reasonable, so a growing number of visitors are choosing Songdo for their accommodations on their Busan trip.

Eulsukdo Island is the final stop of our trip. The island retains abundant natural resources, serving as a sanctuary for migratory birds. Being a riverine wetland, Eulsukdo Island offers ideal conditions for many migratory birds to winter in the area.

When the island is divided by a road traversing it, the northern part of the island has athletic facilities, while the southern part has minimal development save for park facilities and eco trails. An ideal starting point for a trip to Eulsukdo Island is Picnic Square, which is equipped with a wide grass field, walking trails, and rest areas. Chohwawon Garden puts on different clothes each season with seasonal flowers. The trees exude the fresh energy of spring with young leaves.

Past the Nakdong Estuary Eco Center is a trail that leads to the bird sanctuary. Here, you can find splashes of light green among the reed beds as spring comes and young leaves begin to sprout. Listen to the wind rustling through the reeds, and let your feet take you to tranquility and clarity of mind. But take care not to get lost in Eulsukdo Island because the southern part of the island is quite expansive. Make sure to have a map to track your movement as you walk. Myeongji International New Town, located right next to Eulsukdo Island, is home to a selection of affordable, yet chic boutique hotels. The shopping centers, such as the Starfield City, and sophisticated cafes nearby also make Myeongji an ideal base camp to explore the West Busan.