Visiting Busan X The Sky In Haeundae: Ultimate Guide To The Skyline Experience

The moment we arrived in Busan and stepped onto Haeundae Beach, we saw it. That tall, sleek skyscraper rising above everything else, Busan X The Sky. You really cannot miss it. It dominates the skyline in the best way possible. And when we later checked into our hotel and walked out onto our balcony, there it was again, standing right in front of us, glowing between the other high rises. At that point, we already knew we would end up going up there.

On our first day, we waddled around the building, checking out the entrance and the vibe. But on day two, we decided to go all the way up. Read on to discover what the views are really like, why you might want to visit, and whether Busan X The Sky is better than the Lotte Tower in Seoul, which we also visited. Let’s compare skyline to skyline.

What Is Busan X The Sky

Busan X The Sky is a multi-level observation deck inside the LCT Landmark Tower in Haeundae, Busan. It sits on floors 98 to 100 of the tower, offering panoramic views over Haeundae Beach, the East Sea, and the city skyline. The LCT complex, which includes residential towers and a hotel, began construction in the mid 2010s and was completed in 2019. The observation deck officially opened to the public in 2020 and quickly became one of Busan’s most recognizable attractions.

The Landmark Tower stands at approximately 411 meters tall and has over 100 floors, making it one of the tallest buildings in South Korea. The observation deck spans multiple indoor and semi-outdoor areas, including glass-floor sections and viewing platforms designed to offer 360-degree views. It was built not only as a tourist attraction but also as a symbol of modern Busan, blending luxury development with public access to one of the best skyline and ocean viewpoints in the country. Note: On very hazy days, visibility can be limited. If the forecast shows fog or heavy pollution, views may not be as clear.

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Where Is Busan X The Sky And How To Get There

the Haeundae district, one of the most popular areas in Busan, surrounded by high-rise buildings, hotels, cafés, and the beachfront promenade.

If you are using public transport, the closest subway station is Haeundae Station (Line 2). From there, it is about a 10 to 15 minute waddle toward the beach and the tall LCT towers, which you honestly cannot miss. Several local buses also stop near Haeundae Beach and Dalmaji Road, making it easy to reach from other parts of the city. Of course, taxis and Uber are also convenient options, especially if you are coming from further neighborhoods like Seomyeon or Gwangalli.

Since we were staying right in the Haeundae Beach area, we did not need any transport at all. We waddled there. It was an easy, pleasant waddle along the beach, watching the skyscraper grow closer with every step, one of the perks of choosing accommodation nearby.

Opening Hours And Tickets For Busan X The Sky

Opening Hours 

Busan X The Sky is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the last admission at 8:30 p.m. We recommend planning to spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring the observation deck, especially if you want to take photos, waddle through all viewing levels, and maybe stay for sunset or night views. The 100th floor offers impressive 360-degree views over Haeundae Beach, the coastline, and the Busan skyline, so give yourself enough time to enjoy it without rushing.

Admision

Ticket Prices

• • Adults: ~ 27,000 to 30,000 KRW
  • Children: discounted rate, usually around 24,000 KRW
  • Seniors: reduced pricing available
  • Plushies: Free entry, obviously

Always double-check the most up-to-date opening hours and ticket prices on the official Busan X The Sky website before your visit, as seasonal hours or special events may affect entry times.

As with most of the activities we did in South Korea, we bought our tickets in advance via Klook. You do need a valid ticket to go up. While there are ticket machines at the entrance, we recommend booking online beforehand. It makes everything smooth and stress-free. You show your QR code and head straight up without worrying about availability.

Facilities And Amenities At Busan X The Sky

Cafés And Drinks

• Starbucks 100th Floor. Yes, there is a Starbucks located on the top level, making it one of the highest Starbucks locations in South Korea.
• Sky 99 Grill & Pasta. Restaurant with panoramic views, perfect if you want to combine food with skyline scenery.
• Vending and Snack Areas. Small drink and snack options are available inside the observatory levels.

Souvenir And Photo Zones

• Gift Shop. Located near the exit area, selling Busan X The Sky themed souvenirs, postcards, and small keepsakes.
• Photo Spots. Glass floor skywalk section and designated photo zones on the observation levels.
• Professional Photo Service. An optional paid photo service is available at the entrance.

Practical Information

• Restrooms. Available inside the building on observation levels and on the lower floors.
• Elevators. High-speed elevators take you directly to the upper floors in under a minute.
• Indoor And Covered Areas. Fully indoor viewing sections, great for rainy or windy days.
• Air Conditioning and Heating. Comfortable year-round, regardless of the weather outside.

Everything is well organized and modern, making the visit smooth and comfortable from entrance to exit.

Our Experience Going Up To The 100th Floor

As we mentioned earlier, entering the building was confusing at first. Right by the entrance, the ticket machines and signs say you need a valid ticket to go up, which made us pause for a second. We were not sure whether we should buy it there or online.

Once we sorted it out and bought our tickets via the Klook website, everything became super simple. We headed to the main ticket counter area, where they just scanned our QR codes, and that was it. No stress. We were lucky because there was no line at all when we arrived, so the whole process took just a few minutes.

That said, if you visit during peak hours, weekends, or around sunset, it is definitely advisable to buy your ticket in advance. It saves time and avoids standing in longer queues. For us, though, it was smooth and easy, and before we knew it, we were stepping into the elevator, ready to shoot up to the 100th floor.

From the ticket counter, we were guided toward the elevators, a well-organized flow. Within seconds, we stepped inside, and the doors closed behind us. And then, up we went. The elevator shot us straight to the 100th floor in about 55 seconds. Yes, 100 floors in under a minute.

The high-speed elevators at Busan X The Sky travel at roughly 600 meters per minute, which is about 10 meters per second. You can feel the smooth but powerful acceleration as you rise. What made it even cooler was the multimedia display inside the cabin. The walls of the elevator light up with visual projections, showing immersive graphics and skyline views as you ascend, making it feel less like a lift and more like a mini pre-show before the main event.

We loved how fast and efficient it was. It felt futuristic. And we could not help but laugh because it takes almost the same amount of time for the elevator in the building we are currently living in to reach the 11th floor 😅. Here, at the same time, we were already at the 100th. That alone made the experience feel next-level.

The moment the elevator doors opened, we stepped out and saw the skyline and the entire stretch of Haeundae Beach laid out below us. It is one of those instant wow moments. The ocean curves along the shore, the city rises behind it, and from that height, everything feels small and arranged. It is an amazing view. The kind where you stand there for a few seconds without saying anything.

We lingered there longer than we should have, staring, pointing, taking photos, and trying to process it all. There is so much to see up there from every angle. But do not spend all your time at the first window. As tempting as it is, keep moving. There are even better views waiting as you walk around the full observation level.

The Glass Walk Experience

The glass walk, often called the Skywalk, was hands down the most heart-racing part of the entire visit. It is a transparent glass floor section on the 100th level where you can look straight down to the ground below. Not out. Not across. Straight down. From nearly 400 meters above the city.

The moment we stepped onto the glass, our hearts dropped. That split second when your brain says, “Do not do this; this is not natural.” Our legs were shaking, actually shaking, and we could feel that strange lightness in our stomach like being at the top of a roller coaster. It is such a surreal sensation because you know you are safe, but your body is not entirely convinced.

But we really wanted to do it. So we just did it. One careful step. Then another. Nervous laughter. A quick look down. Then, immediately looking back up again. It was thrilling in the most intense way. Slightly terrifying, wildly exciting, and one of those moments where you feel completely alive. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you manage to waddle across, it is an experience you will not forget.

After surviving the glass walk, we waddled around a little more, taking our time to explore the different levels. You can go down one floor to discover even more viewing angles, and each side offers a slightly different perspective of Busan. Ocean on one side, skyline on the other, bridges stretching into the distance. There is genuinely a lot to see up there, so do not rush it.

Before continuing, we decided to take a small break at what we think was called Sky 99 or the lounge area up there. It felt like a mix of a bar and a café, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and the whole city looked bright and calm below us. So we treated ourselves to a beer and a traditional Korean white rice drink, makgeolli, which has a milky look and gentle sweetness. We just sat there for a while, sipping slowly, enjoying the view and the moment. It was one of those simple travel pauses that makes everything feel just right before heading back to explore the rest.

We continued to wander around, circling the observation deck and soaking in the views from every side. Each corner gives you something slightly different. One side opens up to the endless blue of the ocean, another frames the curve of Haeundae Beach, and then you turn again and see the city stretching far into the distance. It is the kind of place where you naturally move slowly, stopping every few steps to look again.

And this might sound funny, but we genuinely recommend one unexpected stop while you are up there. Go to the restroom. Seriously. The restrooms have large windows with incredible views, and it might be one of the highest and most scenic bathroom experiences we have ever had. There is something oddly amusing about peeing while looking out over Busan from nearly 400 meters above ground. Definitely not your average restroom break, and honestly, part of the fun of being up there.

As we were about to leave and heading back toward the elevators, we spotted something on the right that made us stop. There was a small mirrored room with lights all around it, almost like a mini infinity space. Of course, we had to step inside. The mirrors reflected the light in every direction, creating this fun, surreal effect. We took a few photos, played around with angles, and just enjoyed that one last little surprise. It felt like Busan X The Sky giving us a final bonus moment before going back down to reality: such a simple detail, but a really nice way to end the experience.

As fast as we went up, we were back down again. We stepped into the elevator, the doors closed, the lights dimmed, and within less than a minute, we were already descending toward the ground. It felt almost surreal how quickly we returned to street level after standing 100 floors above the city just moments before. One second, you are looking over the entire coastline, the next, you are back among the skyscrapers of Haeundae. Smooth, fast, and slightly mind-bending. And just like that, our sky-high adventure came to an end.

Best Time To Visit Busan X The Sky

The best time to visit depends on the kind of experience you are looking for. We visited around 2 pm, so right in the middle of the day. It was great to see Busan in full daylight. You can spot the curve of Haeundae Beach, the layout of the city, the bridges in the distance, and the contrast between ocean and skyline. It gives you a very clear picture of how Busan is structured, which we really enjoyed.

That said, it was busier during the day. We have heard, and can imagine, that sunset must be absolutely stunning from up there, with the sky turning orange over the ocean and the city lights slowly switching on. And at night, the whole skyline must look magical with the buildings glowing below you. So it depends. Do you want crisp daylight views, dramatic sunset colors, or sparkling night vibes? Each one will give you a slightly different, but equally memorable experience.

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How Much Time To Spend At Busan X The Sky

To fully enjoy Busan X The Sky, we recommend setting aside about 1 to 2 hours. That gives you enough time to take the elevator up, walk around all observation levels, try the glass Skywalk, take photos from every angle, maybe grab a drink at the café, and pause to enjoy the views without rushing.

We spent around an hour and a half, and it felt just right. If you are short on time and want to experience the views and the glass walk, one hour can also be enough. It really depends on how much you love skyline moments and how long you are willing to linger 100 floors above Busan.

Busan X The Sky Or Lotte Tower: Which One Is Better?

We have visited both Busan X The Sky and Lotte World Tower in Seoul. And for us? Busan X The Sky really, really wins.

What we loved most was the overall layout. The observation levels in Busan felt spacious, open, and easy to move around. You did not feel cramped or pushed from one window to the next. There was room to breathe, to pause, to take photos without feeling rushed. In comparison, the Lotte Tower observation deck felt tighter and less organized in terms of flow. It was impressive, of course, but the experience felt more crowded and a little less relaxed.

Another huge factor? The ocean. Having panoramic sea views completely changes the atmosphere. In Busan, you get the beach, the coastline, the skyline, and the mountains all in one frame. That mix of nature and city hits different. In Seoul, you get endless urban views, which are impressive in their own way, but without that dramatic ocean backdrop.

Both towers are modern, both have glass floors, and both offer amazing height. But in terms of vibe, space, and overall experience, Busan X The Sky felt more enjoyable and memorable to us. So if we had to choose only one? Busan takes the win.

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Busan X The Sky surprised us. From the lightning-fast elevator ride to the heart-racing glass walk and those endless ocean views, it felt modern, exciting, and just a little bit unreal. Whether you go during the day, at sunset, or after dark, standing 100 floors above Busan gives you a completely new perspective on the city. If you are planning your time in Haeundae, this one is worth adding to your itinerary. Sometimes, you have to rise above it all and enjoy the view.

Pack your bags and waddle more!

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