Second largest city in Korea … renowned for its beaches, mountains, lakes and temples … dramatic Diamond Bridge … world largest department store, Shinsegae Centum City … UNESCO Creative Cities Network (City of Film) … traditional mingled with modern …
Where is it
Located on southeastern tip of Korean Peninsula coast … borders low mountains and Korean Strait … 3.3 million population … economic, cultural and educational center of southeastern South Korea. Busiest South Korea port and sixth busiest in the world.
Maritime logistic hub in Northeast Asia, world-class mega ports, gateway to Eurasian continent, processing over 21.81 million TEU of container cargo volume per annum.
Center of marine science and R&D; known for global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, with excellent conditions and infrastructure for large-scale international events.
Places of Interests
What can you see in a day?
Plenty !
Ahopsan Forest
Visit Ahopsan Forest – short drive from Busan … known for its serene beauty … dense bamboo forests … well-known filming location for K-dramas, forest offers tranquil escape from city life … variety of bamboo, cypress and pine. Also, popular photographic spot due to unique bamboo formations and winding trails.
‘Ahopsan’ in Korean means ‘embracing the nine valleys’.
View ‘Gwanmiheon’ – head house belonging to family that manages the forest – ‘Gwanmiheon’ means ‘keeping an eye out for most trivial grass-like bracken’ – built in traditional method without nails, with wooden furnace.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
You cannot miss sacred temple situated against wind-swept breath-taking ocean views – located on Sirang-ri coast, Gijiang-gun. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was named from a dream by Buddhist Monk, Jeongam, whom ‘Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva ascended on back of dragon by the coast’. This temple hangs over edge of land, where sea meets mountain … just amazing !
12 zodiac animal deities protect land and block evil spirit invasion along the way … walk through Iijumun gate … climb 108 steps connecting pine grove to temple to view how Haedong Yonggungsa Temple embrace the ocean …
Known as most beautiful temple in Korea … view coastal landscape harmonizing with waves and unique rock formation – peaceful, serene and calming …
Gamcheon Culture Village
Another unmissable venue is Gamcheon Culture Village – alley where history, culture and art meet … known as Machu Picchu of Korea, this village bears painful Busan history – place where refugees settled during Korean War … cultivated mountainous region for survival…
Today, students, artists and residents decorate their homes as part of Village Art Project – growing into leading tourist attraction in Busan.
Visit the museum … listen to village’s story …
Try on traditional ‘hanbok’ (traditional Korean costume) …
Soak in ambience of pastel-coloured houses along hillslope …
Maybe sit and enjoy an ice cream on warm sunny day …
Gwangandaegyo or Diamond Bridge
(Images courtesy of Visit Busan)
As dusk descend … drive over suspension bridge connecting Haeundae District to Suyeong District – spanning 7,420metres, with 35metres clearance below; second longest bridge after Incheon Bridge.
Bridge is lit up with thousands of LED lights, sparkling like diamonds in evening …
There is an annual Gwangandaegyo Bridge Walking Festival allowing pedestrians to walk across bridge which is normally closed to foot traffic.
Beautiful skyline in evening …
International Film and K-pop Festival
K-pop? Busan is home of K-pop !
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) also known as ‘Cannes of Asia’ – most popular Asian Film Festival is held here; also Busan Biennale – international contemporary art biennale held every two years.
Host to One Asia Festival, largest K-pop festival in Korea and is center of K-pop culture naturally !
Do you know that Busan is home to 80 performance facilities – 30 public facilities including Busan Cultural Center, Busan Citizens’ Hall, Busan Cinema Center and Busan National Gugak Center.
There are also 40 private facilities such as KBS Art hall Busan, Sohyang Art Center, MBC Samjoo Art Hall, Kyungsun University Concert Hall and Shisegae Department Store Culture Hall … mind boggles !
Conclusion
There’s lots to see and do in Busan.
From mountainous landscapes to serene beauty of oceans and waves … traditional habitats, historical, cultural undertones; modern, economic powerhouse – Busan has it all …
Definitely must visit !
