Busan

35.17311, 129.07141

Busan Travel Guide

Travel Author

Stig Albeck

City Map

City Introduction

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city, and it is beautifully located by the sea in the southeastern part of the country. Busan is a modern metropolis and at the same time a place with a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. The current Busan area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was already an important port city during the so-called Three Kingdoms. It was especially during the Silla Dynasty that the area was used for trade and contact with Japan. For centuries, Busan served as a border city between Korea and Japan, and in the 15th century, an official Japanese trading post was established here, making the city one of the few places with permanent trade during the Joseon Dynasty.

In more recent times, Busan played a central role during the Korean War, which took place on the Korean Peninsula from 1950 to 1953. During the war, the city became a refuge for many refugees who came from the battlefields to the north, and Busan served as the temporary capital of South Korea when Seoul was occupied by North Korean forces. The city’s port also became an important logistics point for UN troops. After the war, intense urbanization began, and Busan quickly grew into a large city with both industry, port operations and a diverse cultural offering. Its historical importance as a port city continued to make Busan a hub in the region.

During the 20th century and up to the present, Busan has developed into a modern metropolitan area with skyscrapers, advanced infrastructure and a vibrant cultural scene. The city’s coastal location and its natural landscape of mountains and sea have attracted both investors and tourists. Busan is also known for its role as a host for international events, including the APEC Summit in 2005 and the annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia’s most important cultural events. Despite its modern development, Busan still retains traces of its history, especially in the older parts of the city and in the religious and cultural monuments that bear witness to the city’s long and exciting past.

Today, Busan offers a wide range of attractions. The nature and the city’s location provide opportunities for trips to the beaches of Haeundae and Gwangalli, which attract beachgoers and sun-hungry visitors, while the cultural city of Gamcheon with its colorful houses and galleries shows the city’s artistic soul. You should also see Haedong Yonggungsa, a temple with a spectacular location by the sea. The Jagalchi fish market is South Korea’s largest and also an experience, and after a walk around the city’s lively streets among the modern high-rise buildings, you can take a trip to Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park, where you get a great overview of the city.

Top Attractions

Haeundae Beach
해운대해수욕장

Haeundae Beach is one of South Korea’s most famous and visited beaches. It is almost 1,500 meters long and 40 meters wide, so it can accommodate many guests on a good beach day. In the summer, the beach is filled with sunbathers, while in the winter, the annual Polar Bear Festival is held, where brave participants take a dip in the cold sea water. The beach is surrounded by modern skyscrapers, creating a contrast between nature and city life. Haeundae also hosts the Haeundae Sand Festival, where artwork made of sand is displayed and various activities are available to participate in.

The beach has also hosted international events such as the Busan International Film Festival, and events such as e-sports events and concerts have taken place here, some of which have been held from floating stages. Haeundae is also home to the Sea Life Busan Aquarium, which houses around 250 species and up to 35,000 marine animals. The aquarium has a main tank with 3 million liters of water and an 80-meter-long underwater tunnel, where visitors can get a closer look at marine life. There are also many cafes, restaurants and shops along the promenade, making Haeundae Beach a popular spot for many locals.

 

Jagalchi Fish Market
자갈치시장

Jagalchi Fish Market is South Korea’s largest fish market, and it is a must-see for both foodies and those interested in the great atmosphere of the place. The market spans several floors and offers a wealth of fresh and dried fish, shellfish and other marine products. On the upper floors there are restaurants where you can choose the fish you want and have it cooked on the spot. Jagalchi also hosts the Busan Jagalchi Festival in the fall, where visitors can participate in activities such as fishing, singing and dancing, and it provides an authentic experience of the local culture if you participate.

The market is also known for its female vendors, called Jagalchi Ajumma. They have been a part of the market’s history since after the Korean War, when women began selling goods on the streets of this area. Located at Nampo Port in Busan, the market is one of Busan’s main attractions, attracting many tourists who want to experience the local culture and taste fresh seafood. The area around the market is also home to shops, cafes, and restaurants that complement Jagalchi itself nicely.

 

Gamcheon Cultural Village
감천문화마을

Gamcheon Cultural Village is a colorful neighborhood in Busan built on a hillside. The narrow streets are filled with art galleries, cafes, and small shops, creating an artistic and bohemian atmosphere. Originally built in the 1950s as a refugee camp, the town has since undergone a transformation into a cultural center in the city. In 2009, a public art project was launched to renovate the area, resulting in the colorful murals and art installations that now adorn the neighborhood.

Gamcheon has also become a popular location for film and drama studios, further increasing the district’s appeal as a tourist destination. The neighborhood is divided into several sections, each with its own unique character and style. Visitors can explore the narrow streets and staircases that lead to various art galleries and interesting cafes and shops. There are also several viewpoints where you can get a panoramic view of the city and the sea, and as you walk around, you can simply enjoy the many colorful buildings of Gamcheon Cultural Village.

 

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
해동 용궁사

Haedong Yonggungsa is a Buddhist temple located spectacularly on the cliffs along the coast in the Gijang-gun suburb east of Busan city center. Founded in 1376, the temple offers a peaceful atmosphere with stunning views of the sea. It is a popular destination for both religious pilgrims and tourists who want to experience Korean spirituality in a natural setting. The temple is dedicated to Haesu Gwaneum Daebul, the name of the sea goddess of mercy.

The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and the many statues and shrines found on the grounds. There are also a series of paths and stairs that lead visitors through the temple and down to the sea. During the celebration of Buddha’s birthday, the temple is decorated with colorful paper lanterns, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Visitors can explore the various temples and shrines within the complex and enjoy the meditative tranquility found here.

 

Busan Diamond Tower
부산타워

The Busan Diamond Tower is an observation tower inaugurated in 1973 and is now a prominent part of Yongdusan Park and one of Busan’s most iconic landmarks. At 120 meters tall, the tower offers impressive views of the city, the harbor, and even the Japanese island of Tsushima on clear days. The tower’s design was inspired by the canopy of the Dabotap Pagoda at Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, and it was built with a two-story observation deck equipped with modern AR and VR technology. VR binoculars and interactive window projections enhance the visitor experience, among other things.

The Busan tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, an organization of famous towers such as the CN Tower in Toronto and the Tokyo Tower in Japan. The trip up in the air is worth enjoying both day and night when the city lights are turned on, and visitors can also enjoy facilities such as a café and souvenir shops at the tower’s base. The tower itself is beautifully situated, and from there you can take a walk in Yongdusan Park. In the park you can see, among other things, a large flower clock, the pavilion with the bell called the Bell of the Citizens, which is used to ring in the New Year, and a statue of the famous Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

 

Songdo Beach
송도해수욕장

Songdo Beach in Busan is known as Korea’s first public beach. It opened in 1913 and has been welcoming bathers for over a hundred years. The beach is located just a few kilometers from the city center, so it offers a good combination of city life and nature experiences. With its crescent-shaped bay, golden sand and calm waves, Songdo is ideal for both swimming and relaxing, and it is popular with families. The area around the beach is well-equipped with facilities such as cafes, restaurants, promenades and public artwork, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere.

Songdo Beach is also known for more than just the beach itself. Here is Songdo Clouds Trails/송도구름산책로, also known as Songdo Skywalk. It is a spectacular 365-meter-long walkway that stretches over the sea from Songdo Beach to Geobukseom, which means Turtle Island, and then out into the open water where it ends. The bridge opened in 2015 and has sections with transparent glass floors that give the feeling of walking on water. The bridge was designed with an undulating shape resembling a dragon, and a ride on it offers a nice view of the water, beach and surrounding coastline.

 

Busan Air Cruise
송도해상케이블카

The Busan Air Cruise, also known as the Songdo Marine Cable Car, is a spectacular cable car near the center of Busan. It stretches over both the sea and land, connecting Songdo Beach with Amnam Park. The route is 1.62 kilometers long, and a ride on the gondolas offers breathtaking views of the coastline and famous buildings such as the Namhangdaegyo Bridge. The current cable car opened in June 2017, and has since provided both locals and tourists with great ride experiences.

The cable car offers two types of cabins to take a ride in. There is the standard one, called the Air Cruise, and the more exclusive Crystal Cruise cabin, which has a transparent glass floor for an even more impressive view. The trip between Songdo Beach and Amnam Park takes 5–6 minutes between the two stations Songdo Bay Station at Songnim Park and Songdo Sky Park Station in Amnam Park.

 

Haeundae Blue Line Park
해운대 블루라인파크

Haeundae Blue Line Park is the name of a lovely natural area located along the coast close to the center of Busan. The park is an area developed along a former railway line. The area stretches for 4.8 kilometers from Haeundae Mipo through Cheongsapo to Songjeong. You can enjoy the area through some beautiful walks and viewpoints, and you can also use some of the means of transportation that have been established as part of the tourist experience; Haeundae Beach Train and Haeundae Sky Capsule.

Haeundae Beach Train, officially called Blue Line, is a tram line designed as a panoramic excursion along the beautiful coastline with stops in Mipo, Cheongsapo and Songjeong. Along the track you can walk on the Busan Green Railway, which is a walking route with boardwalks and various activities along the way on the same route as the Blue Line. Finally, there is also the opportunity to take a trip with the Haeundae Sky Capsule, which connects Mipo and Songjeong. Haeundae Sky Capsule is a special experience because it is a track with small cabins that run above street level and thus offer extra good views.

Other Attractions

Day Trips

Seoul
서울

Seoul is a beautiful and exciting encounter with ancient Korean culture, and at the same time, you feel everywhere in the city that you are in one of Asia’s modern metropolises. The fascinating South Korean capital is also a cornucopia of large palace complexes, surrounded by green parks, and here you can feel the rustle of history and the sublime calm and balance that lies in the beautiful building complexes that the palaces are.

Seoul is also generously endowed with nature. The calm Han River flows through the city like a long recreational belt, and the hills are located both around and in the middle of the city. At the top of it all rests the Seoul Tower, where you can see the entire capital from above, and from here you can clearly see the size of the city and the division of new modern buildings and the historic palace complexes.

Read more about Seoul

Geolocation

In short

Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea

Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea

Overview of Busan

Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province in northeastern China. It was first known as Shenzhou during the Khitan Kingdom in the 10th century. It later became an important border city during the Liao Dynasty, which ruled from 907 to 1125. In the 17th century, Shenyang, then called Mukden, became the capital of the rising Manchu Empire under the leadership of General Nurhaci. Mukden served as a strategic base for the Manchu conquest of China and the establishment of the Qing Dynasty.

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Stig Albeck

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