Day four in Busan began at the LCT tower, Haeundae’s landmark, and its 100th-floor observatory, BUSAN X the SKY. The seaside wind at ground level is ferocious — my carefully set hair collapsed instantly and filled with sand before I even reached the entrance. The tower teaches you about the forces of nature before you have gone up a single floor.
Tickets are 29,000 won for adults. One quirk: go up with a state-certified tour guide and you reportedly get a discount of around 10,000 won. A banner at the entrance notes its selection among Korea’s 100 must-visit spots for 2025–2026.
A 100th Floor Full of Tricks
An elevator wrapped in sky projections rockets you to the 100th floor. The deck does not simply show you the view; it plays with you. Neon corridors, the obligatory glass floor — my wife could not bring herself to step onto it, while my daughter hopped on with delight. And the crowning touch: restrooms where the window looks straight down at the Haeundae sea. At that point you have to laugh at the designers’ commitment.
Beyond the glass, the arc of Haeundae Beach and the Gwangan Bridge — and the Westin Josun Busan where we are staying, visible at the tip of Dongbaek Island. We are, I concede, staying in a very good spot.
The 99th Floor: The World’s Highest Starbucks
One floor down is a Starbucks that bills itself as located on the highest floor of any store in the world. Naturally, we had a cup. It tastes like every other Starbucks — only the altitude outside the window is different. A fine souvenir of a coffee.
Reading Busan in Its Forest of Towers
Look inland and the view is a forest of high-rise apartments. The story goes that Busan’s towers were 20–30 stories forty or fifty years ago, 40–50 stories two or three decades ago, and now routinely reach 80–100 floors. With few earthquakes here, the construction looks strikingly simple. Prices keep climbing yet supply keeps coming — a fascinating fixed-point observation deck for anyone curious about real estate.
Notes from the Day
- BUSAN X the SKY occupies floors 98–100 of Haeundae’s LCT tower. Adults 29,000 won, children 26,000 won; open 9:30–21:30, last entry 21:00 (counter display at my visit).
- Selected among the “100 Must-Visit Spots in Korea 2025–2026.” Visiting with a state-certified guide reportedly earns a discount — check locally.
- The 99th floor hosts a Starbucks billed as the highest-floor store in the world; there is also a glass-floor corner and even restrooms with a sea view.
- The wind at ground level is ferocious — surrender your hairstyle in advance.
- Details on the official BUSAN X the SKY website — as of my visit.
Back at the foot of the tower, our next stop: Miffy Store Busan.
Visited in August 2026. Prices and details are as of my visit.
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