AsiaKorea

Our Top 10 Places to Check Out in Busan

Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, is a welcome change of scene from the bustling urban maze of Seoul. This scenic coastal town if full of incredible beaches, scenic mountains, and cultural villages. Get to know this beautiful port city and all the great things you can do here.

Haeundae Beach

Busan, Korea: Haeundae Beach
Busan, Korea: Haeundae Beach (Flickr/Su-Hwan Pyo)

Every summer, Koreans flock to Haeundae Beach. Only a train ride away, it’s a stunning beach that’s easily accessible year round. This 12km coastline is constantly filled with parasols, beach towels, and people looking to catch some fun under the sun! Haeundae Beach also hosts a number of outdoor festivals and concerts throughout the year to entertain both locals and visitors.

Address: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Website: http://www.haeundae.go.kr/tour/index.do
Transport: Metro Line 2 to Haeundae Station. Exit at Gate 3 or 5, and take an 8-minute walk to the beach.

Dalmaji Hill Road

This is great if you’re planing a private road trip with the family. Dalmaji Hill Road is a scenic route that starts off with the blu sea and sandy beaches of Songjeong Beach, leading up to Wau Mountain. The road is lined with pine trees and camellias. And in the spring, thousands of cherry blossoms com in full bloom. Take an easy drive or stroll and make a pit stop along the many cafes, restaurants, and galleries along the road.

Address: Dalmaji-gil gu, Haeundae, Busan
Transport:

  • Metro Line 2 to Haeundae Station, from exit 1, take bus #2 or #10, get off at Busan Foreign School
  • Metro Line 2 to Jung-dong Station, from exit 5 or 7 walk down the promenade towards the beach

Dongbaek Island

Busan, Korea: Dongbaek Park (Flickr/Jaewoon Han)

A land bridge and a short walk away from Haeundae Beach is Dongbaek Island. The name ‘Dongbaek’ comes from the Korean word for camellia trees which line line the walking trails of the island. Take a stroll here to admire the natural beauty of the camellias, the thick pines, and the lush woods. Head to the island for incredible views of Gwangan Bridge, Tshushima Island, and the sparkling ocean.

Taejongdae National Park

Busan, Korea: Taejongdae National Park
Busan, Korea: Taejongdae National Park

At the tip of the Yeong Island is Taejongdae National Park, one of Busan’s proudest attractions. The park is full of lush forests, mountain peaks at 250 meters, and rocky seaside cliffs. The park was named after King Taejong Mu-Yeol of the Silla Kingdom, who travelled to many places, but was especially fond of this peaceful island.

Visitors can take a leisurely hike around the park—the cool sea breeze makes it especially enjoyable—but the best view is through the Danubi Tram. Here you’ll get to see the parks main sights, including the Taejonsa Temple, the Yeongdo Lighthouse, and the Observatory.

See this incredible park and more with the KKday Busan Day Tour. For more information about the park, visit their official website.

Address: 24 Jeonmang-ro, Dongsam 2(i)-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan,
Opening Hours: 04:00am to midnight
Transport:

  • Metro Line 1 to Nampo Station, take exit 6, then take bus 8, 30 or 113
  • From Busan Station, take bus 88 or 101

Haedong Yunggungsa Temple

Busan, Korea: Haedong Yunggungsa Temple
Busan, Korea: Haedong Yunggungsa Temple

Unlike most temples in Korea, Haedong Yonggungsa is perched precariously by a seaside cliff. The temple was first built in 1376, during the Goryeo Dysnasty with a magnificent three-story pagoda surrounded by four lions overlooking the sea. Inside the main sanctuary is a statue in honor of Haseu Gwaneum Daebul, the Seaside Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Locals ofte come here to pay their respects, and to make a few wishes.

Address: 86, Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Website: http://www.yongkungsa.or.kr/en/
Opening Hours: 04:00am – Sunset
Transport: Metro Line 2 to Haeundae Station. Take exit 7, and hop on Bus 181

Nampo-dong District

Busan, Korea: Nampo-dong District
Busan, Korea: Nampo-dong District (Flickr/Eirien)

Every autumn season, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) attracts thousands of visitors to Nampo-dong, Busan’s theater district. But even outside festival season, Nampo-dong is a bustling market with stalls of fashion, accessories, household goods, independent designers, and even thrift shops. Apart form all the merchandise, the enticing scent of street food stalls waft around the market and lure in wandering customers for a bite.

There’s loads of other things to get your teeth into nearby too, certainly worth a visit is Jagalchi Market, Korea’s largest fish market. Jagalchi Market sells a wide variety of fresh and dried seafood, often supplying to the nearby restaurants.

Address: Jung-gu, Nampo-dong, Busan
Transport: Take Metro Line 1 to Nampo Station

Seomyeon District

Busan, Korea: Samyeon District
Busan, Korea: Samyeon District (Flickr/InSapphoWeTrust)

Another lively district is Seomyeon, which attracts crowds of young locals with its shopping streets, restaurants, and entertainment options. Seomyeon is often the ‘Gangnam of Busan.’ Here you can find Lotte Mart, a department store specially catering for youngsters, featuring a kids’ cafe, a children’s little theater, kids’ beauty parlor and an English learning center. This is a great place to go to if you’re traveling with the family!

Address:

  • Seomyeon 1 Beonga (Seomyeon First Street) – Bujeon, Busanjin District, Busan
  • Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center – 737, Jungang-daero, Busanjin District, Busan

Gamcheon Culture Vilalge

Busan, Korea: Gamcheon Cultural Village
Busan, Korea: Gamcheon Cultural Village

Here’s a nice story: after the Korean War, Gamcheon Village was used to house refugees and for a long time, was one of Korea’s poorest districts. Then, around 2009, a group of students decided to brighten up the houses by repainting them in different colors. The project completely transformed the village and community and today, the Gamcheon Culture Village, is brightly colored with murals and sculptures created by the residents. You can visit this quaint coastal village—often nicknamed the ‘Machu Pichu of Busan’ when you take KKday’s Western Busan Bus Tour.

Address: 2(i)-dong, Gamcheon, Saha-gu, Busan
Transport: Metro Line 1 to Toseong Station, from exit 6 turn right and walk for 3 minutes, Take Bus 2 or 2-2

Gwangali Beach

Busan, Korea: Gwangalli Beach
Busan, Korea: Gwangalli Beach

Gwangalli Beach is another popular beach, especially among the youth. From here, you’ll catch a great view of Gwangandaegyo (Diamond Bridge), a grand suspension bridge connecting Haengdae-gu and Suyeong-gu. At night, the bridge lights up in various different colors depending on the day and season. This year, you can also catch the spectacular Busan International Fireworks Festival from Gwangalli Beach.

Address: Gwangan 2-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Transport: Metro Line 2 to Gwangan Station, take exit 3 or 5, approximately a 10 minute walk to the beach

Oryukdo Islands and Skywalk

Busan, Korea: Oryukdo Islands and Skywalk
Busan, Korea: Oryukdo Islands and Skywalk

Depending if you go during high tide or low tide, there may be a missing island. Oryukdo is a group of small islands just off the coast of Busan. The best way to explore the sights is by taking the Skywalk, which marks the divide between the Korean East and South Sea. This glass walkway leads you past the rocky cliffs and over the waves, treating all visitors to fantastic views and great photo opportunities, as if you were walking over the sky. See the Oryukdo Islands and Skywalk, along with other great Busan attractions when you book an Eastern Busan Bus Tour with KKday!

Address: 137, Oryukdo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan
Transport: Take Bus 27 from Metro Stations: Nampo, Busan or Jungang to Oryukdo SK View Bus Stop

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