Busan: South Korea’s Culturally Colourful City by the Sea
PUBLISHED September 11th, 2020 05:00 am | UPDATED May 12th, 2023 05:18 am
Though the scenery of the Korean port city of Busan changes through the months – from snowy winters in January to sizzling August summers – views are always picturesque, food delicious, and things to do plentiful. When we’re able to travel again, avoid muggier temperatures in July to make the most of your trip, and aim for the year’s sweet spots in June, May, and September.
Restore Your Senses At a Traditional Jjimjilbang
Korean bath houses are the Japan equivalent of an onsen – only with swimming pools, saunas, and even karaoke rooms in more elaborate establishments. An experience unlike any other, jjimjilbang are best known for providing sauna rooms of varying temperatures, which can range from ice-cold to almost 90 degrees Celsius. Busan is home to luxury enterprise Spa Land in Shinsegae Centum City. A one-time entrance fee allows visitors four hours of unlimited use of the facilities, which include a nail salon, bicarbonate soaking pools.
Spa Land is located at 35 Centumnam-daero, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, p. +82 51 745 2900. Opens daily, 6am-11pm.
Get Your Insta-Fix at Gamcheon Culture Village
Being overrated is overrated. The kaleidoscopically coloured village of Gamcheon doesn’t simply do well for your social media feed – this former slum was revitalised into a lively destination for cafes, street art, and Busan’s artist community. Hunt for murals, visit an authentic Korean home-turned-museum, or sign up for a workshop – it’s a living, breathing museum that encompasses both modern and traditional influences of Korean culture, and definitely worth a visit (with your camera).
The Gamcheon Culture Village is located at 200 Gamnae 1(il)-ro, Gamcheon 2(i)-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea, p. +82 51 204 1444. Opens daily, 9am-6pm.
Get Lost in the Nampodong Market District
Teeming with souvenirs, handicrafts, and vintage offerings, Busan’s Jung district is home to Nampodong Market. Grab a stool and sift through piles of authentic retro fashion, sour the alleys for the limited editions of obscure book titles, or simply sit back and people-watch with a piping hot handful of hotteok (sugar-filled flatbread). Nampodong was once best-known as a source of legitimate camera gear shops, so photography buffs can also enjoy a spot of shopping here as well.
The Nampodong Market District is located at Nampo Station.
Hike the Hidden Alcoves of the Seokbulsa Cliffs
Home to the smaller, lesser known temple of Seokbulsa, the Seokbulsa Cliffs are found in the same southern end of Beomeosa. Here, stunning statues and religious symbols are carved into ten-metre tall sandstone cliffs. Hiking to Seokbulsa offers sweeping views of Busan itself, but you can also opt to spare your feet and travel there via cable car.
Hike, or ride the Geumgang Park Cable Car up to Seokbulsa Temple.
Dive into The Deep End at Jagalchi Fish Market
No trip anywhere is complete without exploring the local food, and what better way to do so than from its source? Jagalchi Fish Market is the largest fish market in Korea, and an absolute must-go for sashimi lovers. Open from 5am, your early mornings are best spent weaving through live fish stalls and raw seafood restaurants. You can even bring your fresh buys to one of the many restaurants on the second floor to be cooked for an additional charge.
Jagalchi Fish Market is located at 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea.
Find Peace in the Mountains at Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple is one of the head temples of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and also the largest temple in Busan. Found by the slopes of Mount Geumjeong, the temple offers a live-in experience, where visitors spend a day learning Korean prostration, meditative practices like bead making, and live off vegetarian food. If you’re searching for a true culture trip (and some peace), you wouldn’t want to miss out on this.
Beomeosa Temple is located at 250 Beomeosa-ro, Cheongnyongnopo-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea, p. +82 51 508 3122.
Visit an Unconventional Beach at Dadaepo
Busan isn’t short on beaches – Haeundae boasts scenic city views and Gwangalli’s golden sands are idyllic to say the least – but look to Dadaepo for a step out of the ordinary. Extending its reach into the South Sea, Dadaepo’s peninsular body comprises a curved mudflat flanked by rocky Dadae Bay and the Ulsuk-do wildlife sanctuary. Here, sunsets aren’t the only thing to catch: locals regularly frequent this beach in search of shellfish like clams and crabs. hit the beach in search of clams, crabs, and other creatures.
Dadaepo Beach is located at 680 Dadae-ro, Dadae-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea. Ride Subway Line 1 to Dadaepo Beach Station.
