Busan (Pusan) Top 5 부산
Highlights
If, as a discerning international traveler, you wish to get off the beaten track of tourist destinations in South Korea then the coastal city of Busan offers a vibrant cultural destination.
The city is great for anyone who wishes to explore more of the heritage and history of which South Korea has so much to offer.
Busan is the perfect mixture of tradition and modernity all nestled nicely on the coast - with the added advantage of also being a beach holiday destination in its own right.
In recent times, Busan has reached global prominence due to the smash hit film, Train to Busan and the movie has definitely placed the city on the map.
For those willing to venture away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul then yes, you can can truly catch a train to Busan and all the cultural delights that it offers.
If you are only in the port city for a few days then here are some suggested highlights for this quaint and friendly coastal town on the southern tip of South Korea.
Gwangalli Beach
As a coastal city, Busan has a wide choice of beaches to select from. These include Haeundae Beach, Songdo Beach, Songjeong Beach and Dadaepo Beach.
In the summer, these strands are packed with visitors engaging in an array of water sports and in the winter, they are perfect for a quiet and leisurely stroll.
Amongst the many beaches to visit is Gwangalli Beach, which is a hub of cultural, artistic and social activities. The beach is lined with many different restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
The eateries mainly cater to Korean BBQ though there are also many dessert and BBQ chicken choices as well. The magnificent Gwangandaegyo Bridge illuminates the night skies and Gwangalli Beach is the perfect vantage point for photos of this amazing, modern structure.
How to Get There
Take a subway to Gwangalli Station and the beach area is well signposted and only about a 15-minute walk away.
Jagalchi Market
This famed market is a must for seafood lovers and given Busan's proximity to the sea, Jagalchi is easily the biggest seafood market in South Korea.
The scope is vast and given the assortment of both fresh and dried seafood which are on display everywhere, a visit to the market is a welcomed assault on all the senses.
As visitors make their way through the market, they will see a whole array of freshly caught fish in baskets and ice packs while others areas will have dried seafood laid out for instant purchase.
The number of large raw fish and octopuses and much more on sale is quite the sight! Visitors will know the latest 'catch' is fresh as some are still freely moving.
As the market caters to the discerning food expert and connoisseur, visitors can also buy a whole range of cooking utensils for a reasonable price.
For those who want to have their instant fix of well-cooked and fresh seafood then the market has a wide choice of restaurants along the streets; these venues are not hard to miss as there will be many vendors competing for your attention.
At night, stores extend their food offerings in the form of outdoor street dining which is a bonus for all those who love to dine alfresco.
There is quite an atmosphere and sense of community as you walk down the different pathways of the market and this adds a sense of vibrancy.
Many of the sellers shout at the top of their lungs to make a sale and this adds a greater sense of energy to the place.
All in all, Jagalchi is a visual and sensory paradise for Korean food lovers and a must visit!
How to Get There
Take the subway to Jagalchi Station on Busan subway line 1 and go out via Exit 10. From here, turn right and walk straight onto Jagalchi 3(sam)-gil Street and then walk for 5 minutes. Then turn left to arrive at Jagalchi Market. You really cannot miss it given the scale of the location!
Lotte Giants Baseball Team
For sports lovers and especially baseball lovers then you could look no further than catching the hottest team in town!
Busan is a huge baseball city and the Busan Lotte Giants are fervently supported and are the life and soul of the city. The mood of the city can literally swing with every win and loss that the Giants rack up!
The Giants are housed in the modern surroundings of the Busan Sajik Stadium and often play to a full house. The area surrounding the venue becomes a carnival like atmosphere on game day.
Visitors will find an array of bars and restaurants catering to their needs both before and after the game.
The Giants are reputed to be the most popular team in South Korea and despite not winning the Korea Series Championships since 1992, the team still draw huge crowds on a regular basis.
The team are synonymous with Busan and visitors will see many Giants related items and memorabilia around the city especially in the Sajik area.
Inside the modern arena are a host of food and drink vendors and a whole array of sights and sounds as fan groups and cheer leaders encourage fans with a set of well-rehearsed song and dance routines.
Regardless of whether you are a baseball fan or not, countless spectators have shared how the energetic and relentless cheering and chants can convert any neutral into a fervent, die-hard Giants fan. Given the Giants are the most beloved team in South Korea, then a day out at Sajik Stadium is truly worth the trip.
How To Get There
Take the subway to Sajik Station on Busan Subway Line 3 and leave via Exit 1. It is about a five-minute walk to the stadium.
Alternatively take the subway to Sports Complex Station on Busan Subway Line 3 and leave via Exit 9. From here the stadium is also within easy walking distance.
United Nations Memorial Cemetery
Located in the quiet and peaceful Nam district of Busan is the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. The Korean War has left an undeniable mark on the landscape of the nation and the memorial is a moving tribute to those who fell at the height of the conflict.
There are memorials to all the participating nations and these are marked out by their national flags which fly and sway across the venue. The location has 2,300 graves and there are 22 different national memorials of the participating nations lovingly tendered to and in pristine upkeep.
The UN memorial grounds are beautifully lined with trees and flowers and the grounds are kept magnificently and see a steady stream of visitors.
Gain a greater understanding of the conflict through facilities inside the memorial zone such as the "Wall of Remembrance" which poignantly lists the names of the fallen. Altogether there are over 40,000 names listed. There are also regular flag raising ceremonies in the mornings and in the late afternoons which visitors can attend and witness.
The grounds have a profound sense of serenity and peace throughout. The loving care with which the location is maintained shows a high esteem and respect for the past.
The memorial still has many activities throughout the year and there are annual events and ceremonies held here such as Korean Memorial Day in June and UN Ceremony Day in October.
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery is definitely worth a trip for quiet contemplation and reflection of the many sacrifices made in the past.
Address: 93, UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan
How to Get There
Take the subway to Daeyon Station and go out via Exit 3. It is a ten to fifteen minute walk to the memorial and the route is well-signposted.
Gamcheon Culture Village
High on the hills above Busan is the artistic and cultural center of Gamcheon Village. The district is a mixture of both residential and restored heritage buildings. A stroll up and down the twisting pathways will reveal a variety of shops, eateries and artistic displays.
There are several in-house artists who sell their photos, postcards and paintings across Gamcheon. Indeed, there seems to be a coffee shop or food venue on each corner of the village!
The discerning visitor will not miss Gamcheon as it is impossible to avoid this bright and shiny 'rainbow' village even from a distance!
The picture-perfect village was regenerated and restored in 2009 and is now unmissable due to its upkeep of fresh paint.
The 'rainbow' like view from the top of the hills over the village with the sea in the background is quite stunning.
Towards the top of the Gamcheon are a whole host of sakura cherry blossoms which adds to the visual beauty of the area.
For the more adventurous, visitors can even buy a scavenger hunt map which will take you around the area in no time at all as you try and find certain locations.
How to Get There
First, catch Subway Line 1 (accessible from Busan Station) to Toseong Station and leave through Exit 6.
Follow everyone else! Visitors will then need to take a bus so turn right at the corner and walk straight until you view a hospital on your right side. There is a bus stop in front of the hospital. Catch either Bus 2 or 2-2 and once you see all the brightly coloured buildings on top of the hill then you have arrived.
Transport To & In Busan
Air
Gimhae Airport is 15 km west of the city and has both international and domestic connections including Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, Qingdao and Manila. There are domestic flights to Seoul and Jeju Island. Shuttle bus #2 links the airport to Haeundae.
Train
The KTX high-speed train connects Busan to Seoul Station in Seoul in around 2 hours, 15 minutes to 2 hours, 40 minutes depending on the train. There are also trains to Ulsan (20 minutes), Daegu (50 minutes), and Gwangju (4 hours).
Ferry
There are international ferries to Fukuoka, the Beetle ferry to Shimonoseki and boats to Osaka in Japan as well as domestic ferries to Jeju and Geojedo (1 hour). The ferry terminals are close to Jungang-dong subway station.
Subway
Busan's subway system connects all the main sights as well as Busan Station and the two bus stations. There are 3 lines: Line 1 (orange), Line 2 (green) and Line 3 (brown). 1-day passes are available. Trains run from around 5 am-12.30 am.
Buses in Busan
Busan's bus network of regular and deluxe buses covers the whole city and bus destinations are shown in English on the front of the buses. There are two inter-city bus terminals at Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal (Nopodong subway station Line 1) and Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal (Sasang subway station Line 2).
Hurshimchung Spa (Heosimcheong Spa)
Book Hotel Accommodation in Busan South Korea
Busan offers a wide range of accommodation from five-star hotels along Haeundae Beach to cheaper alternatives in the city center and near the railway station. Here are some recommendations.
Part of the Japanese Toyoko Inn chain, Toyoko Inn Busan Station No.1 offers three-star lodgings in a convenient location.
Similarly, Toyoko Inn Busan Seomyeon is close to Seomyeon subway station in the heart of the city.
Arban Hotel in Busanjin-gu is a three-star property with a restaurant and a bar close to Seomyeon Medical Street and Bujeon Market.
Going upmarket, the Ananti Hilton Busan offers five-star accommodation complete with rooftop pool, a fitness centre, and sauna.
There are several five-star hotels as mentioned on the strip at Haeundae Beach including the Commodore Hotel, The Lotte Hotel and The Paradise Hotel.
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