On the afternoon of Feb. 23, 2025, strong winter winds sculpted dozens of sand dunes, ranging from 50 centimeters to 1 meter (about 20 inches to 3 feet) high, along Dadaepo Beach in Busan’s Saha District, creating a desert-like scene. Formed by fine sand drifting in from the Nakdonggang River estuary, these dunes take shape under powerful seasonal winds and can only be seen from winter through early spring. /Kim Dong-hwan
“Mom! The sand is moving up and down!”
A child excitedly pointed at the sand dunes while speaking to his mother.
On Feb. 23, dozens of sand dunes, rising as high as 1 meter (about 3 feet) and as low as 50 centimeters (about 20 inches), had formed along the shoreline of Dadaepo Beach in Busan’s Saha District. Shaped by the strong winter winds, the dunes created a striking and unusual landscape.
A drone-captured view of the sand dunes at Dadaepo Beach in Busan’s Saha District on the afternoon of Feb. 23. Strong winter winds have shaped dozens of dunes, ranging from 50 centimeters to 1 meter (about 20 inches to 3 feet) high, creating a desert-like landscape. /Kim Dong-hwan
On the afternoon of Feb. 23, strong winter winds sculpted dozens of sand dunes at Dadaepo Beach in Busan’s Saha District, creating a breathtaking landscape. /Kim Dong-hwan
Dadaepo Beach, which means “a large and wide estuary,” was formed by sediment deposits from the Nakdonggang River. The dunes, stretching along the coast, take shape when fine sand from the river estuary is carried by powerful seasonal winds.
A drone-captured view of the sand dunes at Dadaepo Beach in Busan’s Saha District on the afternoon of Feb. 23. /Kim Dong-hwan
From above, the dunes resemble rippling waves, contrasting with Dadaepo’s calm winter sea. As the winds shift with the seasons, the dunes gradually flatten, making them a fleeting natural phenomenon visible only from winter through early spring.
On Feb. 23, visitors at Dadaepo Beach in Busan take in the sunset. /Kim Dong-hwan
