I traveled to Busan in November 2019 and chose this city instead of Seoul because it's warmer during this time of year. The unfortunate thing was that November is the the lowest of the low season, so being alone in a hostel was common for me, even switching around to different hostels 4 times!
Must See In Busan
1. Haeundae Beach
The most famous beach in Busan. The white sand beach is roughly 1.5 km long, over a 30-50 m wide area, creating a beautiful coastline before a shallow bay, making Haeundae Beach perfect for swimming.
People flock to Haeundae Beach every summer. All kinds of accommodations from luxury hotels to private guesthouses have developed in the area around the beach, making this the perfect summer vacation spot. Haeundae Beach is also famous for various cultural events and festivals held throughout the year. Other facilities in the area include Dongbaek Island, Busan Aquarium, a yachting dock, BEXCO, driving courses and more.
2. Gwangan Bridge
Busan Gwangandaegyo Bridge (Busan 66, also called Gwangan-daero) stretches over 7.4km from Namcheon-dong (Suyeong-gu, Busan) to Centum City (U-dong, Haeundae-gu). It is the longest bi-level bridge over the ocean in Korea. In addition to providing a quick way to get around, the bridge offers breathtaking views of nearby attractions, including the endlessly unfolding ocean, Oryukdo Island, Hwangnyeongsan Mountain, Gwangalli Beach, Dongbaekseom Island, and Dalmaji Hill.
Equipped with thousands of LED lights, the bridge showcases a beautiful lighting exhibition at night that changes with the seasons. The bridge offers a majesty beauty when combined with nearby attractions during the day and a romantic atmosphere at night, attracting many residents and tourists.
3. Seomyeon
When night falls, colorful neon signs are lit one by one. The passion of these streets never dims and lives on into the night. Delightful music, lively people and colorful lighting will lift your spirits. This is Seomyeon, the busiest area in Busan.
Seomyeon is the commercial center and transportation hub in Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea. Seomyeon is also the most crowded area in Busan, having a floating population of 165,300 a day. Seomyeon has three underground shopping malls meeting beneath the Seomyeon road junction, a department store, many shopping stores, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, banks, bookstores, clinics, etc.
4. Jagalchi Market
Jagalchi Market, located on the shoreside road in Busan's Jung-gu, is Korea's largest seafood market, selling both live and dried fish. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the vendors here are called Jagalchi Ajumma, "ajumma" meaning middle-aged or married woman in Korean.
This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country. Visitors can eat fresh raw fish right at the market. Even nowadays visitors can see women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden boxes along the road outside of the market and along the shore.
Every year in October, the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held, and it is easy to visit because of the convenient transportation provided by subway. Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the Busan locals.
5. Gukje Market
Gukje Market, the largest traditional market in Busan, is a place steeped in history. Gukje Market humbly began during the Korean War in 1950 as a place for war refugees to try to eke out a living, soon growing into a large, busy market. Even today, the area is bursting with the old-fashioned marketplace spirit, similar to that of Namdaemun Market in Seoul. Shops in Gukje Market sell an assortment of new and used items. Since vendors deal in both wholesale and retail sales, the average customer can purchase various items at incredibly inexpensive prices. Though still one of Korea’s most popular markets, the Gukje Market used to be the very center of commerce as both military supplies for the U.S. armies and imported goods came through the neighboring port city. The Market is located near several other tourist attractions in Busan: the Bupyeong Market, Jagalchi Market, and Nampo-dong.
6. BIFF Square
Busan’s modern movie district was originally little more than a pair of cinemas that were built following Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule over half a century ago. However, major renovations took place ahead of the first Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), and the newly transformed district was named BIFF Square on August 14, 1996.
Having been remade into a cultural tourist attraction promoting the advancement of Korea’s film industry, BIFF Square has contributed to Busan’s newfound status as an international cultural tourist city. The 428 meter-long street stretching from the Buyeong Theater in Nampo-dong to the overpass in Chungmu-dong was divided into “Star Street” and “Festival Street,” and on the eve of the festival each year the “BIFF Square Ground Opening” is held on the street. During the ceremony, events such as the hand printing of famous movie celebrities and Nunggot Jeomdeung (snow-flower lighting) take place. A district such as BIFF Square, crowded with first-run theaters in a city is rare not only in Asia but Europe as well, and for this reason it holds great potential. In recent years, the square has grown into a more complex area, featuring not only movie theaters but also shops and leisure facilities, attracting growing numbers of young visitors and tourists.
7. Busan Tower
Personally I skipped this because to me it was just another tower. But, Busan Tower is a symbol of Busan that stands proudly 69 m above sea level at a height of 120 m. The top of the tower is modeled after the baldaquin of Dabotap Pagoda in Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju.
Loved by Busan citizens and tourists alike, the tower offers a stunning night view and plenty to see, such as the Statue of the Great Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the Bell of the Citizens, a flower clock and a bust of the Busan-based independent activist, Baeksan An Hee-je.
8. Gamcheon Cultural Village
Gamcheon Culture Villiage is formed by houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earning this village the nickname "Machu Picchu of Busan." Many alleys that cut through this community are vibrantly decorated with murals and sculptures created by the residents.
9. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. This superb attraction offers visitors the rare find of a temple along the shore line; most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was first built in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong during the Goryeo Dynasty. Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (Seawater Great Goddess Buddha), Daeungjeon Main Sanctuary, Yongwangdang Shrine, Gulbeop Buddhist Sanctum (enclosed in a cave), and a three-story pagoda with four lions can all be seen looking out over the ocean.
The main sanctuary of the temple was reconstructed in 1970 with careful attention paid to the colors that were traditionally used in such structures. On the right-hand side, inside the a cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist sanctum, while situated just in front of the main sanctuary is a three-story pagoda with four lions. The four lions symbolize joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. Other special sites at the temple are the 108 stairs and stone lanterns lining the rocky landscape. After going down the 108 steps, one will be delighted with the beauty of the temple. Midway down the 108 steps one can stop and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves, and view the majestic sunrise.
10. Baomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple is located at the eastern edge of Geumjeongsan Mountain, a famous mountain in Busan. It was constructed by monk Ui Sang in the 678, the 18th year of King Munmu (r. 661-681) of the Silla Kingdom. It is one of the three most famous temples in the Yeongnam region, along with Haeinsa Temple and Tongdosa Temple.
Most of the original Beomeosa Temple site was lost during the Imjin War (1592-1598) but was restored in 1613 and has remained until now. Daeungjeon Hall is one of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon Dynasty. Other important sites of the temple include Iljumun Gate, a three-story pagoda with four pillars built in the 9th century; pavilions, gates, and eleven hermitages. Designated as a natural monument, the wisteria woods and valleys around the temple are most beautiful in May. Beomeosa Temple also operates a templestay program for visitors to learn more about the Buddhist culture and discover oneself.
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