Haeundae Beach

{{short description|Beach in Busan, South Korea}} {{Infobox landform | name = Haeundae Beach | type = Beach  | image = Haeundae Beach May 2024.jpg | alt = | caption = The beach (2024)  | pushpin_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_label = | mark = | marker_size = | coordinates = {{Coord|35.15855|129.16053|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref =  | location = [[Busan]], South Korea | grid_ref = | part_of = | water_bodies = [[Sea of Japan]]  | age = | orogeny = | formed_by = | geology =  | etymology = | nickname = | authority =  | operator =  | area =  | area_km2 = | area_mi2 = | area_ref =  | length =  | width =  | depth =  | drop =   | elevation =  | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | elevation_ref = | surface_elevation = | surface_elevation_m = | surface_elevation_ft = | surface_elevation_ref = | highest_point = | highest_elevation = | highest_coords =   | volcanic_arc/belt = | volcanic_arc = | volcanic_belt = | volcanic_field = | last_eruption =  | topo = | designation = | free_label_1 = | free_data_1 = | free_label_2 = | free_data_2 = | free_label_3 = | free_data_3 = | website = | embedded = {{Infobox Korean name/auto |hangul = ^해운대_해수욕장 |hanja = 海雲臺海水浴場 |child = yes }} | length_km = 1.46 | width_km = 0.04 | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 13 }} '''Haeundae Beach''' ({{korean|hangul=해운대해수욕장}}) is an urban beach in [[Busan]], South Korea, located in the eponymous [[Haeundae District]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://korean.visitkorea.or.kr/kor/bz15/where/where_main_search.jsp?cid=126081|script-title=ko:해운대해수욕장|website=[[VisitKorea.or.kr]]|language=ko|access-date=2018-04-30}}</ref>

It is one of Busan's most popular tourist attractions and one of South Korea's most popular beaches. It is open around the year, and hosts a variety of events, including the Haeundae Sand Festival and [[Busan International Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=정현목 |date=2025-04-29 |title=30회 맞은 부산국제영화제, 경쟁부문 도입 등 변화 나선다 |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25332289 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=중앙일보 |language=ko}}</ref>

== Description == Haeundae Beach is considered one of the most famous beaches in Korea, attracting over 10 million visitors every season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haeundae Beach: The Busan representative |url=https://www.visitbusan.net/index.do?menuCd=DOM_000000301001001000&uc_seq=373&lang_cd=en |access-date=20 April 2024 |website=Visit Busan}}</ref> It can accommodate around 120,000 people.<ref name=":2" />

The sandy portion of the beach is {{Convert|1.46|km|mi}} long and {{Cvt|40|m|ft}} wide.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ko:해운대해수욕장 |url=https://khoa.go.kr/safety_map/lesu/details.do?p=bd&code=BCH001#:~:text=%EB%B6%80%EC%82%B0%EC%9D%98%20%EB%8C%80%ED%91%9C%20%ED%95%B4%EC%88%98%EC%9A%95%EC%9E%A5%EC%9D%B8,%EC%B5%9C%EC%A0%81%20%EC%A1%B0%EA%B1%B4%EC%9D%84%20%EA%B0%96%EC%B6%94%EA%B3%A0%20%EC%9E%88%EB%8B%A4. |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=khoa.go.kr |archive-date=2023-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828014025/https://khoa.go.kr/safety_map/lesu/details.do?p=bd&code=BCH001#:~:text=%EB%B6%80%EC%82%B0%EC%9D%98%20%EB%8C%80%ED%91%9C%20%ED%95%B4%EC%88%98%EC%9A%95%EC%9E%A5%EC%9D%B8,%EC%B5%9C%EC%A0%81%20%EC%A1%B0%EA%B1%B4%EC%9D%84%20%EA%B0%96%EC%B6%94%EA%B3%A0%20%EC%9E%88%EB%8B%A4. |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |script-title=ko:해운대해수욕장 > 상세 {{!}} 명소 {{!}} 열린관광 모두의 여행 |url=https://access.visitkorea.or.kr/ms/detail.do?cotId=65cb9bcc-a7f9-4dac-ab2a-7ead31f54a0c |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=access.visitkorea.or.kr |language=ko}}</ref> It has a parking lot that is handicap accessible.<ref name=":1" /> Its average depth is 1m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=해운대 해수욕장(海雲臺海水浴場) - 부산역사문화대전 |url=https://busan.grandculture.net/Contents?local=busan&dataType=01&contents_id=GC04213374 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=busan.grandculture.net}}</ref>

In 2008, the beach set the [[Guinness World Records]] for most [[beach umbrella]]s: 7,937.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Largest number of beach umbrellas: Haeundae Beach sets world record (Video) |url=https://www.worldrecordacademy.com/society/largest_number_of_beach_umbrellas_Haeundae_Beach_sets_world_record_112428.html#:~:text=BUSAN,%20South%20Korea%20--%20Covered,Largest%20number%20of%20beach%20umbrellas. |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.worldrecordacademy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-07-27 |title=Haeundae Parasols Set for Guinness Record |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/07/113_28289.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[The Korea Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Events === Various festivals are held there throughout the year. Since 1988, the [[Polar bear plunge|Polar Bear Festival]] ({{Korean|hangul=북극곰 축제|labels=no}}) has been held annually in January. During the event, several thousand people bathe in the beach's near-freezing water.<ref>{{Cite news |last=민 |first=소영 |script-title=ko:[제31회 해운대 북극곰 수영축제] 만 2세부터 83세까지… 4500명 겨울 바다 달군다 |url=http://news20.busan.com/controller/newsController.jsp?newsId=20180103000211 |access-date=2018-04-30 |work=[[Busan Ilbo]] |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=36th Polar Bear Festival Takes Over Haeundae Beach this Weekend |url=https://www.hapskorea.com/36th-polar-bear-festival-takes-over-haeundae-beach-this-weekend-2/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=[[Haps Magazine]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lim |first=Jeong-yeo |date=2018-01-07 |title=[Photo News] Some 4,500 take a swim in Busan winter sea |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180107000135 |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |language=en}}</ref> There is also Haeundae Sand Festival, the only sand-related eco-festival in Korea, during which artwork made of sand is featured and activities are available for visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haeundae Sand Festival (해운대 모래축제) |url=https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/whereToGo/locIntrdn/locIntrdnList.do?vcontsId=103736 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=An artistic transformation of sand at the Haeundae Sand Festival |url=https://www.visitbusan.net/index.do?menuCd=DOM_000000303011001000&uc_seq=405&lang_cd=en&pagingParms=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 |website=Visit Busan}}</ref> Haeundae also hosts the [[Busan International Film Festival]], and appeared in the 2009 disaster film ''[[Tidal Wave (2009 film)|Tidal Wave]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=2822840&cid=55784&categoryId=56515|title=「해운대」|access-date=2018-04-30|language=ko}}</ref> The beach has also hosted [[e-sports]] events for games like [[StarCraft]].<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ko:오렌지캬라멜이 온다! 히어로즈 슈퍼리그 개막전, 9일 해운대서 개최 |url=https://www.thisisgame.com/webzine/news/rboard/1/?n=64477 |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=디스이즈게임 |language=ko}}</ref> Concerts, including some that involve floating stages, have been held at the beach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Min-young |date=2023-04-05 |title=A glimpse into Busan's thriving cultural scene: How appealing is it for World Expo 2030? |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/07/826_348436.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[The Korea Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Surroundings === The beach has a number of attractions nearby.<ref name=":2" /> At the west end of the beach is the former island [[Dongbaekseom]], which is now part of the mainland. It has long been famed for its beauty.<ref name=":02">{{Citation |last=손 |first=승호 |script-title=ko:해운대 동백섬 (海雲臺冬栢섬) |work=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0074976 |access-date=2024-06-12 |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |language=ko}}</ref> Also nearby are the {{Ill|Haeundae Hot Springs|ko|해운대온천}}, the islands [[Oryukdo]], tourist road [[Dalmaji-gil]], [[APEC Naru Park]], [[Sea Life Busan Aquarium]], and a wide variety of leisure and night life establishments.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Citation |last=이 |first=철우 |script-title=ko:해운대구 (海雲臺區) |work=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0067026 |access-date=2024-07-04 |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |language=ko}}</ref> Several high rises, such as the [[Haeundae LCT The Sharp|LCT Towers]], are visible from the beach.

== History == The beach was originally a fishing area for people in the area. It began to be used more as a leisure space in the late 19th century. During the 1910–1945 [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese colonial period]], Japanese settlers taught their children to swim at the beach. During the 1950–1953 [[Korean War]], the U.S. military was stationed at the beach and prepared it for landing ships. U.S. soldiers also used it for recreation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=김 |first=성환 |script-title=ko:해운대 해수욕장 (海雲臺海水浴場) - 부산역사문화대전 |url=https://busan.grandculture.net/Contents?local=busan&dataType=01&contents_id=GC04213374 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Local Culture]]}}</ref>

The beach first opened in 1965,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=김 |first=흥운 |last2=김 |first2=건유 |script-title=ko:해운대해수욕장(海雲臺海水浴場) |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0062680 |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |language=ko}}</ref> and was the largest beach in the country at the time.<ref name=":3" /> It was designated a special tourist area in 1994, and various leisure facilities were constructed in larger numbers then.<ref name=":2" /> The beach has been subject to [[Coastal erosion|erosion]] over time; the area of the sandy portion decreased by 54% from 1947 to 2004. The local government has taken a variety of measures to combat this. It has installed underwater [[Breakwater (structure)|breakwaters]] and adds sand to the beach each year.<ref name=":2" />

==Gallery== {{Gallery |Haeundae Beach in 1973.jpg |The beach in 1973 |Haeundae Beach NightView.jpg |The beach at night (2019) |Haeundae Beach 20200522 008.jpg |The Westin Josun at the west end of the beach (2020) |Haeundae Beach and Haeundae LCT The Sharp.jpg |Facing east, towards [[Haeundae LCT The Sharp|LCT The Sharp]] (2021) |Haeundae Sand Festival in Busan, South Korea.jpg|Haeundae Sand Festival}}

==See also== {{Portal|South Korea}} * [[Haeundae District]] * [[Busan]] * [[Tourism in South Korea]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline|Haeundae Beach}}

[[Category:Beaches of Busan]] [[Category:Haeundae District]] [[Category:Venues of the 2002 Asian Games]]