Busan X the Sky: Inside Korea’s 2nd-Tallest Observatory

BUSAN X the SKY is the single best place to understand Busan in one go — a 100-floor observatory perched on the coast at Haeundae, where on a clear evening you can see the whole sweep of the city from the beach to the Gwangan Bridge and out to the open sea. It sits on the top three floors of the LCT The Sharp Landmark Tower, which at 411.6 metres is the tallest building in Busan and the second-tallest in all of South Korea, and the observatory itself is the country’s largest. The first time I stepped onto the glass floor on the 100th floor I felt that little jolt in the stomach even though I knew it was perfectly safe — and then I just stood there watching the sun drop behind the mountains while the bridge began to glow. This is the complete, fact-checked guide: what you’ll actually see, what’s on each of the three floors (including that famous Starbucks), ticket prices and how to save, opening hours and the best time to go, exactly how to get there, and what to pair it with in Haeundae. Plan it alongside the rest of your trip with our complete Busan Travel Guide.

1. Is BUSAN X the SKY worth visiting?

Yes — BUSAN X the SKY is well worth it for the view alone, and it’s the best high-up panorama in the city. From floors 98 to 100 you get an uninterrupted 360° sweep of Haeundae Beach, Marine City, the Gwangan Bridge and the sea, plus a glass-floor sky walk and the world’s highest Starbucks.

• For the view: nowhere else in Busan puts the beach, the skyline and the bridge in a single frame like this.
• For photos: the glass floor, open-air Sky Garden and floor-to-ceiling windows are made for it — and unbeatable at sunset.
• For a rainy or hot day: it’s fully indoors and air-conditioned, an easy win when the weather rules out the beach.

2. What is BUSAN X the SKY?

BUSAN X the SKY is an observatory occupying the 98th, 99th and 100th floors of the LCT The Sharp Landmark Tower in Haeundae, and it’s the highest and largest observatory in South Korea. It opened in July 2020 and spreads cafés, a restaurant, photo zones, art and a sky walk across its three floors.

• The building: the LCT Landmark Tower stands 411.6 m over 101 floors — the tallest skyscraper in Busan and the second-tallest in the country, after Seoul’s Lotte World Tower. It was completed in 2019 and also houses a hotel.
• The complex: “LCT” (Haeundae LCT The Sharp) is a seaside megaproject with the landmark tower, two residential towers and an entertainment base with a mall, spa and water park.
• The location: right on the Haeundae coast, so the observatory looks straight down the beach and across to the Gwangan Bridge.

3. The view: what you’ll actually see

From 360° windows nearly 400 metres up, you can see the entire eastern coast of Busan — from Haeundae Beach and Marine City to the Gwangan Bridge, Dongbaek Island, Oryukdo islets and the mountains behind the city.

4. Floor by floor: what’s on 98, 99 and 100

The observatory is spread over three floors, each with a different mood — head up to 100 first, then work your way down.

5. The world’s highest Starbucks and dining

The Starbucks on the 99th floor is officially the highest Starbucks in the world, at around 384 metres above the ground. It’s the most popular stop in the building — a coffee with a 360° view of Busan.

• The Starbucks (99F): a full-size store with window seating and exclusive X the Sky merchandise; expect a wait for a window seat at peak times.
• Sky 99 Grill & Pasta (99F): a sit-down restaurant with the same view — reserve ahead, especially for a window table at sunset.
• Blackup Coffee (98F): a calmer café option lower down if the Starbucks queue is long.

6. The sky walk, photo zones and light shows

The signature experience is the glass-floor sky walk on the 100th floor, where you stand on transparent panels with nearly 400 metres of air beneath your feet. Around it, the observatory is built for photos and evening shows.

• Glass sky walk (100F): a transparent floor section — a genuine thrill, and perfectly safe.
• Sky Garden (99F): an open-air terrace zone where you feel the sea breeze at altitude — a favourite photo spot.
• Light shows: the Sky X Show and Sky Wave Show run in the evenings, roughly 18:30–21:00, turning the windows and ceilings into a light display.
• Photo extras: the “X the Photo” service and the Sky Letter digital guestbook let you mark the visit.

7. Tickets and prices

Standard admission is 29,000 won for adults and 26,000 won for children and seniors, with free entry for children under 36 months. Booking online is usually cheaper, and the observatory is included free with the Visit Busan Pass.

• Book online (Klook, KKday, Trazy or the official site) for roughly 10% off the gate price — show the QR code at entry.
• Visit Busan Pass: BUSAN X the SKY is one of the included free-entry attractions, so the pass can pay for itself quickly here.
• Prices can change and special exhibitions or pop-ups may cost extra, so confirm on the official site for your date.

8. Opening hours and the best time to visit

BUSAN X the SKY is open every day from 10:00 to 21:00, with last admission at 20:30, and it doesn’t close for regular holidays. The best time to go is late afternoon into the evening.

• For the best photos: arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset so you catch daylight, the golden hour and the city lighting up — all in one visit.
• For the light shows: stay into the evening (about 18:30–21:00) for the Sky X and Sky Wave shows.
• For the clearest view: go on a dry, clear day; haze, rain or low cloud can hide the bridge and the islands.
• For smaller crowds: weekday afternoons are quieter than weekends and holidays.

9. How to get to BUSAN X the SKY

The easiest way is the metro to Jung-dong Station on Line 2 (Exit 7), then about a 10–15 minute walk to the LCT towers; you can’t miss the tallest one. It’s right on the Haeundae coast, an easy add-on to a beach day.

📍Map

10. Tips to make the most of your visit

A few small choices make a big difference up here.

• Time it for sunset — arrive in daylight, watch the golden hour, and stay for the lights and the evening show.
• Book online to save money and skip the ticket queue with a QR code.
• Check visibility first — the whole point is the view, so avoid grey, low-cloud days if you can.
• Reserve the restaurant if you want a window table at Sky 99, especially at weekends.
• Bring a tripod or phone grip for low-light shots through the glass, and shoot close to the window to cut reflections.

11. What’s nearby and a sample plan

BUSAN X the SKY is in the heart of Haeundae, so it pairs perfectly with the beach, Dongbaek Island and the Sky Capsule for a full day on the coast.

1. AfternoonWalk Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island, then head to the LCT towers.
2. Golden hourGo up X the Sky 60–90 minutes before sunset; do the glass floor and Sky Garden in daylight.
3. SunsetGrab the world’s highest Starbucks or a window table at Sky 99 as the sun drops.
4. EveningStay for the lit-up Gwangan Bridge and the Sky X light show, then dinner in Haeundae.