Things to do in Busan
Mar 24th, 2008 by manager
Things to do in Busan
See
Gwangalli Beach (광안리 Gwanganri)
near subway Geumnyeonsan (exit 1). Best experienced at night when the massive Gwangan Grand Bridge behind it is illuminated. Overall, similar to Haeundae but smaller and less upscale. Nevertheless, some interesting restaurants, bars and shops in the area.
-within walking distance from my house.
Haeundae Beach (해운대)
near subway/KNR Haeundae. One of the most popular summer destinations in South Korea. Haeundae attracts tourists from all around the country, and gets overcrowded in late July and early August.
Busan Aquarium
is located at the apex of the crescent shaped Haeundae Beach, often said to be the eighth wonder of Korea. It is the most famous beach in Busan and attracts visitors from all over Korea and the world.
Beomeo-sa Temple
subway Beomeosa. One of Korea’s Great 5 Temples, this large temple complex is located up in the mountains, seemingly much further away from the big city than the few kilometers it is. Founded in 678, the buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt many times, but they’re still atmospheric. Watch out though, as the temple gets packed with worshippers, hikers and tourists on weekends. To get there, take exit 5 from the station, make a U-turn, turn left and take bus 90 from the station a few hundred meters up (W900, 20 minutes, every 15 min). Entry W1000.
HaedongYonggung-sa Temple
The motto of Haedong Yonggungsa is “At least one of your wishes will be answered here through your heartful prayers.” The sea has been with human-being in history from long time ago. It was very calm sometimes while furious sometimes. The Haedong Yonggungsa is situated near the sea unlike other temples located in mountains, therefore it’s quite reasonable to call this temple an aquatic Buddhist sanctum.
Haedong Yonggungsa, the southern most temple near the east sea was founded by the great monk Naong, who was the consultant of King Gongmin. While he was practicing asceticism at Bunhwangsa temple in Gyeongju, the nation was hard hit by a draught that made the crops burn to death and people suffer from famine, so people were disturbed badly resenting the god for not giving them rain. One day, a sea god appeared in Naong’ dream and said that if they built a temple at the edge of Bongrae mountain and prayed there, all these hardship would go away leaving people back in happiness. After that dream, Naong visited the area where the Haedong Yonggungsa is located now, and saw that there was a mountain in the front and the sea at the back, which means if they say prayers in the morning they get answered in the evening. He built a temple later called Bomunsa temple by him and named the mountain Bongrae. The word “Bongrae” means something mysterious and pure to which hermits with great understanding descended. The word “Bomun” means the absolute and limitless power of the Great Goddess Buddha of mercy, called Gwanseumbosal in Korean.
How to get there
by shuttle bus
in front of Post office.(-within walking distance. check my guest book)
only one time. AM 09:20
return PM 13:00
If you use local transport, you have to transfer.
Get off Haeundae subway and get out No 7 exit.
Take the bus(No 181) for temple.
Taejongdae Park
The park was named for King Taejong Muyul (654-661) of the Silla Dynasty who practiced archery here after unifying the Three Kingdoms. During the Joseon period, King Taejong (1400-1418) is reputed to have visited here for recreation and pleasure. The magistrate of Dongnae also came here during a major drought to offer prayers for rain. Taejongdae is one of the famous tourist attractions in Pusan, with its white lighthouse overlooking the green sea. Many people enjoy eating fresh raw fish on the rocky shore, taking a boat around the Olyuk (’five or six’) Islands, and seeing the famous ‘Suicide Rock.’ When the weather is nice, Daema Island can be seen in the distance, 56 km away. The scene from the observation deck is beautiful and the white lighthouse together with the green sea looks very exotic. The walk from the entrance to the lighthouse is quite long. However, a shuttle bus runs from the shops.
Pusan Democracy Park (PDP)
The Pusan Democracy Park was established in honor of and to succeed to the sublime spirit of the citizens of Pusan for democracy, which has played a great part in the development of democracy in Korea through the April 19 Democratic Revolution in 1960, the historic Pusan-Masan Democratic Uprising in 1979 and the June Democratic Uprising in 1987.
By using the Pusan Democracy Park as the educational space of history, encouraging Pusan citizen’s conceit, therefore, the democracy park will contribute to raise the historical position of Pusan, the sacred city of democracy.
Yongdusan Park
subway Nampodong (take the hillside escalator up). This pleasant little park is home to Busan’s one true tourist trap, the creaky 118m Busan Tower (W3000). There are some decent views even without going up the tower, and you can buy some corn to feed the resident population of ravenous pigeons.
Hot springs
Hushimchung Spa (허심청 Heosimcheong)
subway Oncheonjang (exit 1, cross the street and make a beeline for Hotel Nong Shim; it’s connected by a walkway). This massive hot spring complex claims to be the largest in Asia: Noboribetsu might disagree, but it certainly is huge, with hot, tepid, cold and strawberry milk-filled baths, saunas, pools, and an outdoor section. On the 3rd floor is a large jjimjilbang resting area, containing (among other things) a restaurant, a beauty salon, an oxygen room, and three ‘igloos’ heated to 81°C, 51°C and 0°C. You’ll get a key when you come in, use it to open your shoe and clothes lockers and pay for any purchases inside. Men’s and women’s spas are segregated but the resting area is shared, so pick up a robe before you head downstairs. There’s also some signage in English to guide you around. Entry to the spa is W8000, plus W1000 for the jjimjilbang on Sunday/holidays only. You can stay as long as you want, but it gets quite crowded and noisy on weekends.
Swimming
Gwangalli Beach on summer season.
-within walking distance.
Haeundae Beach on summer season.
Swimming Pool in Kyungsung University. cheaper than others.
-within walking distance.
Hiking
The mountains around Busan have some good hiking trails. Probably the most popular route is from the South Gate (Nammun) of Geumjeong Fortress, reachable by cable car from Oncheongjang, through the North Gate (Bukmun) and down to Beomeosa Temple, a distance of 8.8 km (3-4 hours).
Mt. Hwangryung
You can see sealine and Gwangan Grand Bridge.
-within walking distance.
Indoor skiing
SnowCastle
is a urban-style four season resort. It is the first urban-style multi-sport center in Korea, providing a new resting place to the city, and it is a snow activity learning center that presents dream and hope to the children. Snow-Castle is situated in Mt. HwangRyung that is right at the heart of Busan.
In Mt. Hwangryung you can enjoy skiing any time, any season.
-within walkig distance or shuttle bus
Buy
Gukje Market, Gwangbok-dong Market, and Nampo-dong Market Three major shopping districts connected to each other. Very much similar to Seoul’s Namdaemun Market and MyeongDong shopping district. Various shops geared towards young and old people with many brand name stores and underground stores. You will be able to bargain with the people who are selling on the streets or underground.
Lotte Department Store, subway Seomyeon. An over-the-top temple to consumerism (check out the fountains and statues at the basement entrance), this is Busan’s largest department store and the place to pick up some W500,000 ginseng or perhaps a Spam gift set for the folks back home. The basement has good food court/delicatessen/supermarket section.
Eat
Gimbap Cheonha (김밥천하)(orange-yellow-white sign). everywhere.
Serves up gimbap from W1000 and all sorts of noodles for W2500-4000. No English menu or sign, but if you can say it they’ll make it, and it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Millak Town Raw Fish Center
a large brown building at the northern end of Gwangalli Beach. The first floor is the actual fish market and the floors above are packed with nothing but restaurants serving it up.
Namcheon Town Fish Center.
I recommend Chilseong Sushi Restaurant. cheaper than others.
-within walking distance.
Jagalchi Fish Market
This market displays freshly caught fish and various other sea creatures that are still alive.
Drink
In Gwangalli:
Hollywood Star, Pool table and darts available. Talk to Kama, he’s friendly and knowledgeable and speaks great English.
Fuzzy Navel, A lot of fun in summer but dead in winter. Beware of the Long Island Ice Tea, famous for its blackout-inducing potential.
Beach Bikini
Thursday Party, Gwangalli classic. On a good night the foosball table area becomes a dancefloor and in summer the party spills onto the beach.
-within walking distance.
Kyungsung University area:
There are many cheap restaurant. You can feel collage life style.
Vinyl Underground
Ol’55,
-within walking distance.
In Haeundae:
MURPII, Novotel Ambassador Busan, entirely renovated, the trendiest night entertainment on Haeundae Beach.
U2 Bar, across from the Novotel Ambassador Busan.
Starface Bar, Dalmaji Hill. Pool table and loud Americans aplenty.
Would you like to recommend another place in Busan?