The cliffs of Taegongdae puts you face to face with South Korea’s southern coast. In fact, it’s on the southern tip of an island off Busan, the Yeongdo Island. The entire area is a national park and designated as one of 28 monuments in Busan. This southern tip of Yeongdo-gu is named after the 29th King of the Silla Dynasty, King TaeJong who apparently loves archery and practices from this cliff point. Since Taegongdae is a park on a hill perched facing magnificent ocean views, walking around the park would definitely make you sweat, unless it’s winter. If you don’t want to walk the park, there’s a train that goes around the part that lets you get on and off. Save the walking, but you’ll lose out on achieving those steps on your fitness tracker. :) Taejong-Dae lighthouse. Below this lighthouse is a rock that legends say is where gods and goddesses came down from the heavens to relax. I guess even gods and goddesses need a break too, and Taejong-Dae, with its magnificent cliff views of the ocean is an excellent choice. Venture down below the lighthouse and you'll find ahjumas (aunties) selling right of the sea seafood. Fresh octopus, as in still living is served raw on makeshifts by the cliffs. The octopus is cut open in front of you, served while the parts are still moving. Eerie, somewhat disgusting yet fascinating. Eating raw seafood that's still moving is definitely part of the charm of Busan. I just couldn't move past the wriggling parts. Sitting on a rock by the sea. Ocean waves crashing underneath with winds running chills through my bones. All I could think about was how much I needed this good moment...
Read moreIt is a great place but the train service is not really a good experience. We took it out of no choice because from one place to another is far n takes time. But with the train’s non-systematic system, it’s not doing any good either. Wasted alot of time waiting for the train staff to yell n shout in korean, checking the ticket number if u r boarding the right batch (yes, when u purchase the train ticket, there is the train number of which u will be taking, in batches). The checking of ticket did not happen just at the gantry, but they re-check randomly on some passengers when they r already seated in the train. I remember seeing the couple sitting next to me is holding a ticket for the next batch, the staff checked but did not say anything. So, in short, i dont know what they r checking (because they r yelling in korean) but we wasted alot of time there before departing. Each stop, u hvto wait rather long to board one train (because there are only 2 trains operating) n that train can be full (nobody wants to get down) then u hvto wait another round. Hence why, if u want to visit, make sure u cater in longer waiting time as the train...
Read moreDesignated as a Busan monument, along with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae is especially famous for its rock beach. Its highest peak stands at 250 meters and there are over 200 varieties of trees including forests of pine trees. Taejongdae was named after the 29th king of Silla Dynasty (BC57AD 935), King TaeJong Mu-Yeol (604661). King Tae-jong had traveled to many places but it is said Taejongdae was the place he especially enjoyed shooting arrows. Under the lighthouse of this resort is a rock called Sinseon Rock, named after the legend that gods and goddesses came down here to relax. At this rock is a figure called Mangbuseok, named after the story of a woman who waited for her husband who had been taken to Japan. Taejongdae is also famous for the ritual of praying for rain, performed when there are droughts, and rain on the 10th of lunar May is called the 'Taejong Rain'. On days with clear skies you can see Japan’s Daema Island from...
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