Backed by the peak of Geumjeongsan, Geumjeong-gu is a residential district north of Busan. It lies alongside the Hoedong Reservoir and the Oncheoncheon stream, which is a tributary of Busan’s second-longest river, the Suyeonggang. Geumjeong-gu is famously home to Geumjeongsanseong, a large fortress built by the Joseon Dynasty.
Things to do in Geumjeong-gu
Sprawling east of Geumjeong-gu is the Dongrae Benest Golf Club, an 18-hole course that first opened to players in 1971. It’s considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in South Korea, with spring-flowering cherry blossoms fringing the greens. After your game, you can feast on beef noodle soup in the clubhouse restaurant.
One of Geumjeong-gu’s most popular attractions is Geumjeongsanseong, the largest mountain fortress in South Korea. It was originally established in the wake of the 16th-century Imjin War and was rebuilt in the early 18th century under the reign of King Sukjong. After being destroyed during the Japanese occupation, the fortress gates were restored. From the historic watchtowers, there are elevated views across the site.
Also in Geumjeong-gu is the Busan Masjid, a whitewashed mosque constructed in 1980 in a Middle Eastern architectural style. Its interior is elegantly decorated with Quranic scriptures and there’s a library filled with Islamic texts. After your visit, you can learn about the area’s Catholic history at the Oryundae Korean Martyrs Museum or soak up the elevated views across the Hoedong Reservoir from the Oryundae Observation Deck.
Getting around Geumjeong-gu
Geumjeong-gu is around an hour by train from Busan and 1.5 hours from Gimhae International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Asia. Subway services stop at stations throughout Geumjeong-gu and buses travel through the district, connecting most of its attractions.