Nakdong Estuary Eco Center sits in Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park on the westside of Busan. The place is worth visiting both for fun and education. The best time to visit the center would be between late fall and winter when migratory birds visit there to rest for their long journey.
Location
1240, Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea
Direction
Take Busan Subway Line 1 (Orange Line) and get off at Hadan Station (하단/108), Exit 3 > Transfer to Bus: No. 3, 55, 58, 58-2, 168, 221, 520, 1005, or 2000, and get off at Eulsukdo (Cultural Center) (을숙도 (문화회관)) bus station. > Walk (about 800 meters / 0.5 mile).
Hours
- 9:00 – 18:00 (Last entry at 17:00)
- Closed: Mondays (Tuesday if a holiday falls on Monday) and New Year’s Day
Admission
Free
Contact
- Phone: +82-51-209-2032
- Website: Nakdong Estuary Eco Center (Korean page / English Page)
- Instagram: @nakdongriverecocenter
- YouTube: Eco Center TV
Eulsukdo, The Natural Habitat
Nakdonggang River runs down about 525 km from Taebaek in Gangwon-do until it meets the South Sea (남해). When it gets close to the end of its journey, it has formed Eulsukdo Island over time. The island has been an ideal place for migratory birds. In the 1950s, Eulsukdo was considered Asia’s largest habitat for migratory birds. And, the Nakdonggang River Estuary was designated as Natural Monument No. 179 (천연기념물 제179호) in 1966.
However, unfortunately, the number of visiting birds decreased during the 1980s and 90s because of industrial development. The rapid economical growth was prioritized over keeping precious nature intact, and The Nakdong River Embankment was a part of the process. It was built in 1987 and it affected the eco-system of Eulsukdo Island negatively more than other projects although the embankment had its own regional benefits.
In order to restore Eulsukdo Island’s environment, the city of Busan completed the ecological restoration of Eulsukdo Parks from 2000 to 2005. The project covered an area 38 times bigger than the Sajik Baseball Stadium. As the result, Eulsukdo Islands now has two parks: Eulsukdo Ecological Park and Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park.
Nakdong Estuary Eco Center
Nakdong Estuary Eco Center sits in Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park. The center provides ecological information on the area and the migratory birds, and it has educational programs. Visitors can take a free guided tour, 4 times a day (only available in Korean).
Nakdong Estuary Eco Center is a three-story building and the second floor is the main location of the center. The floor consists of the central hall, experience zone, and five informational zones explaining Nakdong River and its surroundings. The five zones have different themes: Flow, Change, Symbiosis, Meeting, and Harmony.
At the central hall, a huge wide glass pane welcomes visitors with a panoramic view of the habitats of migratory birds. Here, visitors can observe the wetland and migratory birds using a bird head–shaped telescope.
Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park and Nakdong Estuary Eco Center are especially good to visit between October and March when you can see more than 100,000 birds of 50 kinds across the estuary.
Tips: Nakdong Estuary Eco Center or some parts of Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park may be limited due to AI (Avian influenza, not Artificial Intelligence). Please check out its website or call the center (+82-51-209-2032) for information in advance.
Nearby Wildlife Medical Center is responsible for the treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals, investigation and research into the disease, and the collection of genetic resources and preservation resources of wildlife.
What is an estuary?
An estuary is a place where a river meets the sea, thus the freshwater merges to the salty seawater. As a result, the salt concentration in this area changes every moment. Thanks to this variance, the unique natural environment including a delta can evolve in an estuary. A delta is home to lots of plankton, fish, insects, and shellfish. It provides all different kinds of animals and plants with abundant nutrition, and the area naturally becomes perfect for migratory birds to rest.
Pictures of Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park
Things to do near Nakdong Estuary Eco Center
Eulsukdo Cultural Center is located near the eco center. Eulsukdo Cultural Center hosts various exhibitions and performances both on indoor and outdoor stages. The Sculpture Garden outside offers you a chance to refresh yourself.
The trail connecting Eulsukdo Migratory Birds Park, Museum of Contemporary Arts Busan, and Fish Viewing Center recently opened. Now, visitors can visit all the points of interest along the route on foot.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Busan is home to a collection of contemporary art and special exhibitions. The museum has a children’s library and a playground underground, so the place is great for children to enjoy.
If you visit Nakdong Estuary Eco Center in late fall, you should visit the Picnic Plaza nearby to see the waves of pink muhly. This has become a popular destination especially for pictures on social media feeds.
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