Haeundae, Popular beach district in Busan, South Korea

Haeundae is a beach district on Busan's eastern coast, featuring fine white sand and shallow waters suitable for swimming. The area stretches along the shoreline and combines waterfront promenades with hotels, restaurants, and shops set back from the sand.

The name comes from Choe Chiwon, a Unified Silla scholar whose pen name was Haeun; he carved "Haeundae" on a rock on Dongbaekseom. Silla queen Jinseong is said to have bathed in the hot springs here. Haeundae Oncheon was developed in 1897, and the area was designated a tourist zone in 1994, bringing large-scale redevelopment.

The district hosts major festivals and events that draw visitors from across the region throughout the year. The waterfront promenade serves as a gathering place where locals and travelers spend time together, enjoy meals, and take in the sea breeze.

The area is easy to reach by subway and offers ample parking along with public facilities such as changing rooms and showers. The best time to visit is from May through September, when the weather is warm and the water is pleasant for swimming.

Dongbaekseom, the islet at the west end of Haeundae Beach, was once a separate island; sediment carried by the nearby Chuncheon stream joined it to the mainland, yet it keeps its old name. A coastal walk circles it, passing Choe Chiwon's Haeundae rock inscription and a statue of the scholar.