My first visit to Busan many years ago was a brief one, I had no internet or local companion and relied heavily on a Lonely Planet guide book. Does anyone still use them anymore? Being that I was low on time, money and up to date information I closed my eyes and dropped a finger...
Now, without a doubt, Taejongdae is one of my favourite places in South Korea, I've returned many times and whole-heartedly recommend it as a destination whether you have one day or a whole week in Korea's sea-faring city.
Taejongdae (so named after King Taejong Muyeol, a Silla Dynesty era ruler) is located on Yeongdo, a small island district of Busan (So close to the mainland you could probably long jump it, as you can see in this previous post) that is also home to Bongnae Mountain, and, being that this is Busan, a maritime museum and a maritime university.
The 'park' itself is a lovely (though slightly uphill) circular walk. Take the righthand side path, and you'll find many a great sea view, a small pebble beach and a tiny dock. Take the left hand side and you'll find the curious Taejong Temple, a small and subtle worship site surrounded by gargoyles and colour filled foliage. I personally take the left path, its upwards incline is slightly less taxing on your thighs, and you can always walk back from the lighthouse the other way...(Oh, there's a tram too, for lazy gits)
When you reach the lighthouse you'll find that you can go even further down, on one side, Jagal Beach, a quiet pebble seafront with a handful of seafood eateries (I'm not a seafood fan myself but I'm told the eats here are 'freshtacular') and on the other side, Sinseon Rock, a popular proposal site and the perfect place to do a 'Dawson's Creek' (gaze across a body of water, ponder life) or intake a victory soju and kimbab...
Tip: Food wise there's not much on the route, so bring snacks, also in front of the entrance there are some great Korean restaurants where you can get a nice 돼지국밥 (Dwaeji Gukbap), a very southerner dish.
How to get there:
From Nampo-dong Station:
Exit from Exit 6.
Take Bus 8 or 30 to Taejongdae Park.
From Busan KTX Station: (my favourite route - also the easiest if you're coming from another city)
Exit Busan KTX Station.
Go left.
Take the next road left.
Cross over the train tracks (via a pedestrian bridge).
At the big road filled with massive lorries take Bus 101 to Taejongdae Park.
Both routes take around 45 mins of winding through oldskool Korea and terminate at Taejongdae Park.
Protip: If the bus-swaying and traffic get too much, get off around the Maritime University and walk the rest of the way. Tisn't far...
By taxi:
Ask for 태종대 유원지 (Tae-Jong-Dae Yu-Won-Ji in romanised hangul), only 30 minutes but at least 12,000₩.
Soundtrack:
The hardest man (with the softest heart) in Busan.