This sky capsule has been all the rage on TikTok recently, fuelling my insatiable need to travel and see this attraction by myself. So this time, on my recent trip to South Korea, I decided to pay the famous Haeundae Blue Line Park a visit!
Haeundae Blue Line Park
The blue line park is a relatively new attraction in Busan, South Korea that opened in October 2020. Yes, unfortunately right in the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic...
The history of this park is that it was initially a closed section of the Donghae Nambu Line and was revitalised as an eco-friendly tourist attraction. The entire distance of the blue line park is 4.8km and you have the choice of taking a Sky Capsule or the Beach Train that goes from Mipo to Cheongsapo. The Beach Train enables you to go further to Songjeong, a popular beach away from Busan city centre.
Well, technically you also have another choice - to explore the park by foot!
What are the main attractions of the Haeundae Blue Line Park?
The great thing about this seemingly touristy attraction is that it isn't just a for-fun transport along the ocean. It actually brings you to regions that are a little bit harder to get.
If you're time-starve, definitely visit the Cheongsapo Seafood Town and Daritdol Skywalk. Otherwise, walk further to Gudeokpo and Songjeong beach for a full day out!
Cheongsapo Seafood Town
The seafood town is situated between Haeundae and Songjeong, and is the intersection between Korea's eastern and southern coasts. Here, you'll find the Cheongsapo Port lined with numerous instagram-worthy cafes and restaurants.
The Cheongsapo Seafood Town is particularly famous for its many restaurants providing fresh raw seafood, shellfish, grilled clams and eels. There, you can even spot many Haenyeo Women Divers. It only goes to tell this little town get the freshest seafood.
Even if you are not a fan of seafood, it was interesting to look at the different themed cafes and perhaps even pop in for a cuppa'!
Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk
The skywalk allows visitors and opportunity to walk on a glass-floor observatory 20 metres above the ocean. The skywalk isn't as long and magnificent as its competitor, the Songdo Skywalk or have enough glass floors as the Oryukdo Skywalk, but due to its location and how it is relatively new, you'll get to enjoy walking "above the ocean" in peace :)
Which should I take? The Sky Capsule or the Beach Train?
Sky Capsule
This is the one that is so famous on TikTok so it is something that you'll have to experience. Each capsule fits up to 4 people and what's cool about the Sky Capsule is that you're guaranteed a private cabin no matter what. The price goes for 30,000 KRW for 2 people, 39,000 KRW for 3 people, and 44,000 KRW for 4 people. If you're going solo, unfortunately there isn't such option when you book it online so perhaps try your luck at the ticket counter?
The sky capsule moves at a leisure pace of 5 km/h, offering beautiful views of the ocean. The entire 2km track between Mipo and Cheongsapo takes about 25 - 30 minutes.
Beach Train
The beach train moves a lot faster at 15 km/h and all seats face the ocean. The beach train allows you to stop at several stations and even brings you to Songjeong beach - one that the Sky Capsule is unable to.
However, as the beach train is positioned on the ground, some of your views may be blocked by the surrounding trees. Nonetheless, it is the only way (besides walking) to get to Songjeong and the in-between attractions.
Take a Combination of the Sky Capsule and Beach Train
After experiencing it for myself, I do recommend a combination of both the Sky Capsule and the Beach Train as it offers very different experience. Also, on a very hot summer day, you perhaps don't want to be cooped in the capsule for 30 minutes two ways, totalling up to an hour. There's always a better use of your time!
The Blue Line Park has three major stations (and 3 smaller ones accessible by the beach train):
Mipo Station - Sky Capsule and Beach Train
Cheongsapo Station - Sky Capsule and Beach Train
Songjeong - Beach Train only
For travellers visiting Busan, the Mipo station is much closer to the city centre and I do recommend you to board the Sky Capsule here and then take the beach train back from Cheongsapo or Songjeong station.
Why Mipo Station?
Even though you can take to and fro trips on the Sky Capsule. The direction from Mipo to Cheongsapo allows you to be much closer to the ocean due to how the direction of these sky trains are planned.
Reserve your Blue Line Park tickets online to Avoid Queues!
So, head to Mipo station and purchase tickets for the Sky Capsule plus the return on a Beach Train. As this new attraction is very popular - even for the people in Busan as well as the domestic South Korean tourists, I'd recommend you to book your slots online on the Blue Line Park homepage or via Klook!
While walking in is also possible (that's what we did), we had to queue for quite a while to buy the tickets and then join another queue just to take the ride.
If queuing is not your idea of fun, BOOK IN ADVANCE! (Please note that you'll need a Korean number in order to make a reservation. If you don't already have one, you can get a Korea data SIM card here. Remember to select the option with domestic calls and texts.)
Now that you're all set, all you have to do is to:
1. Head to the Blue Line Park homepage.
2. Select the Sky Capsule departing from Mipo Station
3. It'll then take you to the next page where you can select the date that you'll like to visit and the event time.
Do take note of the cancellation and refund policies so be sure that you will be heading there at that day and time. Another pointer is that weekends see the most crowds so as soon as you know when you would like to visit, my recommendation is to reserve your slot.
4. Key in your personal details
5. Pay by credit card
** Please note that you'll need either a Korean credit card or a Citi card in order to purchase it the last I checked.
Latest update: You can now book the Skycapsule and Beach Train tickets easily via Klook
How about the Return Trip?
The online reservation doesn't allow you to book the return trip all-at-once, so you'll need to go through the same process for the return trip. Alternatively, as the number of people at Cheongsapo and Songjeong station aren't as crowded, you can also choose to purchase your tickets directly when you are there.
This also grants you some flexibility to make changes to your plan. For example, we decided to just Kakao Taxi our way back after looking at all the attractions!
Is this famed TikTok attraction worth going?
I'd still say a resounding yes. Perhaps because this is already my THIRD trip to Busan, and I've already ventured to many of the main attractions, this new one is refreshing! Plus, the Blue Line Park offers the best of Busan - a remarkable view of the ocean.
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