With colorful fishing boats and two piers, this small hub by the harbor in the city of Busan is a joy to explore.
Cheongsapo Fishing Village features not one but two lighthouses, which attract sightseers by day and keep the outgoing and incoming fishing boats safe by night.
Walk along the pier and down the small steps to admire the marine-themed mural leading up to the white lighthouse. It’s an excellent spot to chat with the fishing locals or even throw a line in yourself. As you look back, you can see the sleek metal skyscrapers of the Busan skyline, which stand in stark contrast to this more traditional waterfront area.
In the docks, watch how the locals prepare carts full of thick, glistening seaweed for the markets. This nutritional food source is hauled in by boat from the farms in the ocean then cleaned and dried in the harbor by skilled workers. Other fishing boats harvest crabs and lobsters from trap nets in the bay.
Walk along the opposite pier leading up to the red lighthouse to look out over the bay and the harbor. Busan is where South Korea’s east coast meets the peninsula’s south coast. Here a meeting of currents of different temperatures creates a marine environment where a unique blend of species can be found.
Cheongsapo Fishing Village is locally also known as Cheongsapo Seafood Town and more specifically as the Grilled Clams Village. So, don’t hesitate to order a seafood extravaganza in one of the many seaside restaurants. Order the village’s trademark clams, grilled at your table over hot coals or try the smoked eel or steamed lobster.
While delicious and charming, the Cheongsapo Fishing Village is only small, so try to combine it with another attraction. A recent addition to this part of the Busan coast is an observation platform with a glass floor down the center. Officially named the Daritdol Skywalk, this curving structure juts out into the ocean near Haeundae Beach. Enjoy the awesome cool experience of walking high above the water before taking in the expansive ocean views at the end.
Cheongsapo is located between the beaches of Haeundae and Songjeong in Busan and best reached by taxi or bus from the port of Busan.