Small, colorful capsules glide slowly along the seafront, tracing the route of the old Donghae Nambu railway. Inside, couples, families and groups of friends travel for a little over half an hour with a single mission: to revel in the blue of the sea, the slopes of Dalmaji, and the fishing village of Cheongsapo.
We’re talking about the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule, one of the most interesting options to feel the pulse of Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city.
Not so much for the journey itself — there are barely 2 kilometers between Mipo and Cheongsapo — as for the way to traverse it: suspended between 7 and 10 meters above the ground and at about 4 km/h, the pace ideal for savoring the views slowly…
What Is the Haeundae Blueline Park?
Before becoming one of Busan’s most popular attractions and conquering social media (the reasons are evident), this stretch was part of the Donghae Nambu line. The coastal section between Haeundae and Songjeong ceased to be used in December 2013, when the railway route was moved inland.
The Haeundae Blueline Park project took on the task of reclaiming part of the railway, specifically the 4.8 kilometers between Mipo, Cheongsapo and Songjeong Beach. There are three ways to enjoy the journey: on the Beach Train, which runs at sea level; on the futuristic Sky Capsule, which travels along an elevated track perched above the coast; or, finally, on foot.
Thanks to this initiative, not only has the area’s tourist value increased, but an infrastructure that formed part of the city’s identity has also been restored.
