Busan North Port Waterfront Park
A large public waterfront park created from the first phase of Busan North Port redevelopment, linking Busan Station to canals, lawns, promenades and the old harbor edge
Harbor walks, urban waterfront views, Galmaetgil routes, public festivals, running, seasonal water-sports programs and access between Busan Station and the old port district
A broad linear waterfront park beside Busan Station with open canals, large lawns, promenades, viewing areas and pedestrian links into the still-developing North Port district
North Port matters because public access is the transformation: a waterfront that spent generations organized around cargo now begins at the railway station as a walkable piece of the city
Character
When the main public facilities opened on 4 May 2022, Busan described North Port as opening to citizens after 146 years. The new waterfront replaced restricted port ground with canals, lawns and broad walking decks beside a harbor that had operated since 1876
The first-phase park stretches across a large piece of reclaimed port land immediately east of Busan Station. Its open canals run for about 1.3 kilometres, and one pedestrian deck reaches roughly 60 metres in width. The park now covers about 196,000 square metres
The experience
A pedestrian bridge leaves Busan Station’s second floor and reaches the park in roughly five to ten minutes, dropping walkers into the waterfront without crossing the old road-and-rail barriers at street level
Open canals, lawns, viewing areas and waterside paths spread toward the international passenger terminal and farther south along the harbor
A 2026 Galmaetgil event walked about four kilometres from North Port Waterfront Park toward Nampo and Yurari Square, while summer programs have used the canals and adjacent landmark site for paddleboards, kayaks and other water activities
History
Busan North Port began modern operation in 1876 and grew into the country’s principal trade gateway. During the Korean War it served as a major military supply base for U.N. forces; a container terminal opened in 1978, and by 2000 Busan had become the world’s third-busiest container port
Cargo activity shifted toward Busan New Port after that facility opened in 2006. The first North Port redevelopment plan was finalized in 2007 and construction began in 2008, making it Korea’s first large port-redevelopment project
A 26,000-square-metre waterfront cultural park opened first in late 2021. The remaining major public spaces followed in May 2022, including the canal zone and wide pedestrian deck. Redevelopment around the park continues, so the public waterfront now sits beside an urban district still being built out
Before you go
The park is long and open, with no single required circuit. Busan Station works well as the northern starting point for a waterfront walk; the international passenger terminal and routes toward Nampo extend the outing farther south
- Hours
- Open daily 05:00–24:00
- Access
- The park parking lot is currently not operating; drivers can use nearby parking such as the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal lot
- Transit
- From Busan Station, use the second-floor pedestrian skybridge toward North Port; the park is about a 5–10 minute walk