We can say South Korea is a popular holiday destination choice for many people. The Koreans are revered for their unique culture and cuisine, influencing Korean waves fashions, copiousness of skincare products and technology prowess. While Seoul gets majority of the attention due to its capital status and conglomerate of international events here, Busan, the port city of South Korea deserves an equal attention too.Â
Beautiful beaches, mountains and temples are aplenty in Busan. At the same time, if you prefer to rub shoulders with local Koreans, then Busan is the place. Korean culture are more prominently displayed and well preserved here. Ajusshi and Ajumma (Korean polite way of addressing someone who is elder for men and women respectively) are present in larger numbers here, sharing the rising popularity of Busan city with the flocking of tourists.
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| Headong Yonggung Temple |
There are many things to do in Busan Korea, and we have compiled the list of things to do and see in for 3 days in this city.
Things to Do and See in Busan
Haeundae Beach
One of most beautiful and popular beach in Busan. The beach debuted in the popular Korean film - Tidal Wave and hosted the annual Busan International Film Festival. You can visit the nearby Busan Aquarium or have a meal at the Haeundae market.
Due to the rugged wind during our visit, we were unable to stay long nor snap any nice picture of Haeundae Beach.
Direction: Take Metro to Haeundae station
Busan Traditional Food Market (Haeundae Market)
Walk along the street of Busan Traditional Food Market, or known as Haeundae market and have a glimpse of the seafood, meat, fresh vegetables, Korean snacks and many other products. The street is not long and probably you can finish exploring here within an hour, including time spent for a lunch or dinner here.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Perched on the cliff overlooking Korea Strait, Headong Yonggungsa is one unique temple with excellent views on top of the regular pagoda and statues. There was a myth among the locals your wish at the temple will become true after prayer if the God appears in your dream, thus resulted an influx of devotees to the temple.Â
The temple has a history dated back to 1376. Currently, the temple is one of the 3 scared place in South Korea devoted to Goddess of Mercy. If you were to come here, April is the best time  as the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom.Â
Take your time slow and explore the temple. The temple complex is large and offers many different site for sightseeing, such as the Golden Buddha temple by the sea, the 12 zodiac animals, 108 Buddha and many more.
In the mid of exploring, take out your handphone and snap some Instagrammaeble pictures here. Rest assured you will be rewarded with some great shots, thought you may need to have patient as this place is flooded with tourists!
Direction (from Haeundae Beach): Haeundae Beach is close to Yonggungsa Temple. Take bus 101 / 181 from the station in front of tall apartment & hotel building near to Haeundae station exit 7. Tell the bus driver you are haeding to Yonggungsa Temple and he will inform you when reaching the destination.
Other than bus, the other ways reaching Yonggungsa Temple will be taking a taxi or other alternatives. No metro will take your direction to the destination.
Yongdusan Park & Busan Tower
Do you want to have a panoramic view of Busan city, and get amazed by the illuminating millions lights by the city?Â
Then Busy Tower is the perfect destination. Standing tall at 120-metres, it offers the best view you could get in the city.
Entrance fees per adult is 8,000 Won. If you want to enjoy the digital fireworks show and witness the city of Busan lighted up by dozens of colourful "fireworks". The show runs from 8 - 10pm, every 15 minutes during the summer while showtime in winter differs.
Besides, as you descend from the observatory deck, there are plenty of photogenic spots and optical illusion places for you to play around and take pictures too.Â
Depends on your creativity, this place can get real interesting!
At the same time, Yongdusan Park at the foot of Busan Tower has plenty to offer as a visitor too. You can kill two birds in one stone by visiting these two places. There are flower clock, clocks of love, Status of Yi Sun-sin (Korean naval commandar) and bronze dragon figure. Nevertheless, this place gets rather quiet when the sun goes down but it is relatively safe.
Direction: Jungang Station Exit 1 (Line 1) or Nampo Station Exit 7 and walk for 6-7 minutes
BIFF Square
BIFF Square gets its name from Busan International Film Festival. Therefore, the square is dedicated to the annual BIFF, and various events such as hand printing of famous movie celebrities and Nunggot Jeomdeung (snow-flower lighting) will take place. Korean celebrities have their name signed here, emulating the concept of Hollywood Hall of Fame.
Recently, the square has expanded into a more like complex area. Movie theaters, shops and leisure facilities are aplenty within the vicinity of BIFF square, attracting a large number of visitors here everyday.
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| Hotteok |
Stalls are erected by the roadside selling various Korean delicacies, including dumplings, Tteok-bokki, chicken skewers but there is one item you must try here - Hotteok. It is a Korean sweet fried pancake filled with nuts.Â
Direction: Jagalchi station Exit 7, walk for 5 minutes
Jagalchi Market
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| Wet Seafood Section |
Are you an ardent fan of seafood? Then you would not want to miss out Jagalchi Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea, selling both fresh and dried seafood. Probably the oldest too.
Before you come here, you might need to repaint your impression of a conventional seafood market. Jagalchi market is not a street with stalls setup on both side. It is a seven floor complex with below setup.
1F: Live fish market
2F: Raw fish restaurants / dried seafood products store
3F: Jagalchi Cypress Enzyme Spa / Soribada Noraebang (karaoke) / Mangeum Restaurant
4F: Dadohae Korea Restaurant
5F: Oase Seafood Buffet
6F: Oase Convention Hall (Wedding Hall)
7F: Terra Guest HouseÂ
Rooftop Sky Terrace (Observation Deck)
Expect the unexpected at Jagalchi Market. There are a variety of seafood here, and some never came into our mind due to our limited knowledge on vast seafood creatures.
Language is never a barrier here. Some of the sellers are so accustomized to the needs of tourists and they can speak excellent English or Chinese. We were surprised to hear when they greet us in Chinese!
If you are good in selecting fresh seafood, or have a habit to do so, you can purchase the fresh seafood on the first floor, then bring it to the second floor and ask the restaurant to prepare it according to your style. Of course, this comes with a charge imposed by the restaurant.
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| Escaping octopus leg! |
We can share with you that the seafood is so fresh that it is still "moving" upon served to your table. Technically speaking, the creature is dead but the movement is due to muscles spasm. No worries on the animals cruelty.
Nevertheless, it ain't cheap dining here. The live octopus we had cause a whopping 30,000 Korean Won, and soon we discover having it at Seoul normal market cost us a fraction of it only. Probably Jagalchi market is a tourist destination nowadays.
Direction: Jagalchi station Exit 10. Walk pass 2 streets then turn right. You will see a huge building.
Busan Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Culture Village is popular for its steep streets, twisting alleys and brightly painted house, therefore it earned the nickname as "Machu Picchu of Busan". It was a shanty town built by Korean War refugees in the early 1950s but the colourful painted house has turned this area into a tourist attraction.
To enjoy Gamcheon Culture Village, simply get lost in this labyrinth alike town and explore the different houses. There are museums, arts and cultural houses that show you different items that perhaps one or two of it might interest you.
Get a map at the information kiosk for a minimum fee and it will detail the point of attractions in Gamcheon Culture Village. The map also allows you to collect stamps at various hidden spots (total 9) in the village, and you can claim a mini prize from the information kiosk at the end of tour.
Various picturesque spots are available here for you to explore too. Slow down and take nice pictures to post to your Instagram!
Direction (From Goejeong station): Take Bus 1 or 1-1 (Green Colour)
Direction (From Toseong station): Take Bus 2 or 2-2Â
Taejongdae
Taekjongdae is a natural park full with lush greens and with magnificent cliffs facing the open sea on the southernmost tip of island of Yeongdo-gu. Unlike the other part of Busan or Seoul which yields a sense of hectic, its pure serene here.
The distance of making a round trip from the park entrance to the light house and come back again at the same entrance is about 4.5km. Nevertheless, if you are physically unprepared for it, you may opt to take the train for 3,000 Korean Won for a round trip. Kindly take note the train only operate till 5.30pm only.
Since we arrived late in the evening, we completed our trip on foot. It was tiring as certain part was steep but the scenery we enjoyed was rewarding. A layover at the lighthouse area offers the most tranquil scene when you hear the sounds of waves hitting the cliff.
Direction: Take Metro to Nampo Station. Take Exit 6 and turn right, then you will see the bus stop. Take Bus 8, 30 or 113 till the last station.
Gwangalli Beach
Gwangalli Beach is so beautiful especially at night. The surrounding area is filled with restaurants, cafes or bars, making this area an ideal destination for hangout. After that, come to the beach and play with the fine sand and drink a bottle of Soju with your partner of friends. This marks the perfect night.
Although this area has plenty to offer but one of the iconic view here is Gwangandaegyo Bridge. In the evening, the lights lit up and create a wonderful view.Â
Direction: Geumnyeonsan Station Exit 1 or 3. Make a U-turn and turn on the first street toward the beach.Â
Seomyeon Shopping Street
Missed out the shopping spree at Seoul? Fret not, Seomyeon Shopping Street has you covered.
With an array of shops offering fashion, cosmetics, cafes, restaurants and bars at both side of the main boulevard, Seomyeon Shopping Street is flocked by people from Busan for shopping. When night strikes, illuminating lights from all shops injected a lively and happening atmosphere to the area. Venture into the alleys from the main boulevard and there are more things for you to explore.
Shop slowly and see any real good stuff you could get from here!
Direction: Seomyeon Station Exit 1/2: main shopping area, restaurants, Seomyeon Market and eateries, including Daehyun Primall Busan underground mall.
Exit 12/15: Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center.
Exit 7: Lotte Department Store, Lotte Busan Duty Free Shop.
Seomyeon Food Street
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| Korean dumpling |
Looking for some affordable hawker food in Busan? Then Seomyeon Food Street is definitely your desination.
The bustling and narrow street is easy to maneuver. Hawkers selling Tteokbokki (traditional Korean rice cakes) are aplenty here. Meanwhile, the restaurants here mainly sell Pork Soup, Kalguksu (noodle), dumplings and Pajeon (Korean pancakes), and you can fill your stomach with less than 10,000 Korean Won per pax.
A shop we will recommend here is Dog Guem What Noodle (39, Seomyeon-ro68beon-Gil). They sell unique and delicious cold wheat noodle!
Direction: Seomyeon Metro Station Exit 1. After Exit 1, walk straight till you see Starbucks on your right. Walk into the street next to Starbucks and you will see food street at the first intersection.
Bujeon MarketÂ
Get lost in the largest market in Busan - Bujeon Market is a fun thing to do. You can find anything from daily groceries, pastries, seafood to even exquisite items such as ginseng here. It is just a distance away from Seomyeon so why not explore here and see how the locals live a day in Busan?
In addition, Bujeon Market will give you a glimpse how the Koreans local market looks like.
Direction: Bujeon Metron Station
Well, that is all about things you can do and see in Busan for 3 days itinerary. There are more to explore, so feel free to share with us your thought!
For more information about Busan's places of interest, you may click to below links:
4. BIFF Square
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