For a 360-degree view of the beautiful southern coastline of South Korea, take a day-trip to Tongyeong. Here you’ll find the Hallyeo Waterway Observation Cable Car, which takes visitors up to the peak of Mount Mireuksan. Enjoy incredible panoramas of Busan’s dramatic coastline and islands.
South of Tongyeong, Mount Mireuksan rises 1,512 feet (461 meters) above the Pacific Ocean which surrounds it on three sides. The cable car is the longest in Korea at 6,480 feet (1,975 meters), but the aerial ride takes only nine minutes to reach the observation deck at the mountain’s summit. Once at the top, walk up a flight of stairs for the best views of the surrounding areas. Enjoy a snack at the small restaurant at the upper station.
Look north for a complete view of Tongyeong and its forested hills. Then gaze to the south to the hundreds of islands that dot the coastline. On very clear days, scan the horizon to the southeast to see the outline of Japan’s Tsushima Island, roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) offshore.
The cable car lies within the Hallyeo Waterway National Park, which encompasses an enormous expanse of coastline, islands and ocean across the southeastern coast of South Korea. It attracts over a million tourists every year.
Each cable car is identified with a unique name and seats eight passengers. During the summer, the high numbers of visitors mean that you will probably have to ride with other guests, depending on the size of your group. There is a fee to ride the cable car and enter the park. The views are best enjoyed on clear days, so check the weather forecast before you visit.
Reach Tongyeong by car or bus from Busan. Then take a bus or park for free at the lower station of the Hallyeo Waterway Observation Cable Car. Operation is year-round, with service starting at mid-morning and ending in early evening.
