Hike, History, and a City View: Busan's New National Park

⛰️ Busan's New National Park: Geumjeongsan — Korea’s First Urban National Park

Korea's national parks are never too far from the city — the country is small enough that most are within a few hours' reach. But Busan's newest national park takes accessibility to a whole new level.

In March 2026, Mount Geumjeong (Geumjeongsan) was officially designated as Korea's 24th national park — and its first-ever urban national park. The mountain has always been there, quietly watching over the bustling city. Now, it finally has the prestigious title to match its grandeur.

🌿 What Makes Geumjeongsan So Special?

Geumjeongsan sits right in the heart of Busan. From the summit at 801.5 meters (Godangbong Peak), you can look down to see the winding Nakdong River, the vast city sprawl, and on a clear day, the open blue sea. It's the kind of breathtaking panorama that reminds you exactly what kind of dynamic city Busan is — mountains, river, and ocean, all coexisting at once.

  • A Sanctuary of Biodiversity: The park is a thriving ecological haven, home to 1,782 species of wildlife, including 14 strictly protected endangered species.

  • A Treasure Trove of History: Geumjeongsan holds more cultural heritage sites than any other national park in Korea, boasting a total of 127 officially recognized cultural assets.

Geumjeongsanseong Fortress | Photo: Busan Tourism Organization (visitbusan.net)

Two major historical landmarks define this mountain:

  • Beomeosa Temple [Visit Busan Map #4]: Located on the slopes, this is one of Korea's most beloved, thousand-year-old Buddhist temples, offering a deep sense of spiritual peace.

  • Geumjeongsanseong Fortress [Visit Busan Map #5]: An ancient mountain fortress whose impressive stone walls stretch across the ridgeline for 18.8km, making it the largest fortress wall in South Korea. Walking along these ridges feels like stepping straight into another century.

🤝 20 Years in the Making: A Citizen-Led Victory

This national park designation didn't come easily. Busan's passionate citizens first launched a grassroots campaign for national park status back in 2005.

Over the following two decades, more than 80 local civic groups kept the movement alive — signing petitions, raising environmental awareness, and persistently pushing through complex bureaucratic hurdles. In 2014, a massive wave of 100,000 people signed a petition in absolute support. It took until 2026 for the dream to finally come true. It was, without a doubt, well worth the wait.

🥾 Insider Tips for Travelers

Geumjeongsan already welcomes around 3.12 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited and loved mountains in Korea. The absolute best part about this new national park is its unmatched accessibility.

💡 The Ultimate Urban Nature Experience Because it is seamlessly connected to Busan's public transit system, you can easily access the trails from almost anywhere in the city. This is a national park you can casually hike on a Tuesday afternoon and still be back in time for a fresh seafood dinner right by the ocean in the evening.

Busan has always been a beautiful destination where the rugged mountains meet the sea. Now, one of those legendary mountains is officially recognized as one of South Korea's greatest natural treasures. 🐾


🌐 한국어 버전 블로그 (Korean Version)

👉 Read the Korean version of this story here!


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