Dongbaekseom Island and Nurimaru APEC House 동백섬·누리마루
Busan · Haeundae & Marine City · Parks & nature
Dongbaekseom was once a true island and is now tied to the mainland, a green headland at the west end of Haeundae Beach. A shaded waterside path circles it in about half an hour, passing the mermaid statue, a stone monument to the scholar Choe Chiwon who is said to have loved this spot, and several benches with sea views. Camellias bloom here in winter, which gave the island its name.
At the top stands Nurimaru APEC House, a hall built for the 2005 summit of Asia-Pacific leaders, where an exhibition and a viewing deck are usually open without charge. The exhibition rooms keep their own hours, so check at the door.
Dongbaek Station (동백역), Line 2, then walk about 10 minutes toward the sea, or take the beach promenade from Haeundae Station. (Show a driver: 동백섬)
Show this Korean name to your taxi driver or match it to signs: 동백섬·누리마루
- Best time to visit
- Late afternoon for soft light on the water, or a winter morning when the camellias are in bloom.
- Pair it with
- Haeundae Beach runs along the east side, and The Bay 101 Night View and Busan X the Sky are a short ride along Marine City.
- Great for
- Couples, Parents, Solo travelers
- Local tip
- A loop of about 30 to 40 minutes. Nurimaru APEC House, built for the 2005 summit, is free to enter, and the lighthouse viewpoint looks across to the Gwangan Bridge.