Yeongdo Bridge, Bascule bridge in Busan, South Korea.
Yeongdo Bridge is a steel bascule bridge that crosses Busan South Port, connecting Jung District on the mainland to Yeongdo Island. The structure features a lifting mechanism in its center that allows ships to pass underneath.
Built in 1934 during Japanese colonial rule, it was Korea's first bascule bridge with an operational lifting system. The mechanism stopped working in 1966 and remained unused for decades until restoration efforts began.
The bridge served as a meeting place where families searched for loved ones during the Korean War, posting messages in hopes of reunion. This role shaped how locals remember and view the structure today.
The best time to visit is in the afternoon when the lifting mechanism operates daily at 2 PM for about 15 minutes. Arriving early helps you secure a good viewing spot to watch this mechanical event.
Few visitors realize that during the 47 years when the mechanism was frozen, the bridge became an unintended symbol of division and immobility in the city. Its restoration transformed it from a static monument into a working structure again.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
