Busan, the second largest city in Korea bustling with approximately 3.6 million residents, is located on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula.
Busan is the first international port city in Korea. Its location in the very heart of Northeast Asia enables the city to serve as a maritime gateway of the Korean Peninsula and a major bridgehead of the entire Northeast Asian region. Its deep harbor and gentle tides have allowed it to grow into the largest container handling port in the country and the fifth largest in the world.
Additionally, the natural environment of Busan is a harmonious relationship of mountains, rivers and sea. Its geography includes a coastline featuring superb beaches and scenic cliffs, mountains which provide excellent hiking and extraordinary views with hot springs scattered throughout the city. Busan enjoys four distinct seasons and a temperate climate that never gets too hot or too cold.
Furthermore, it inherited the fair and equitable spirit of the Gaya and Silla cultures with a keen vision for the cultivation of democracy. The city's natural endowments and rich history have resulted in Busan's increasing reputation as a world class city for tourism and culture, and it is also becoming renowned as a hot spot destination for international conventions. |
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Haeundae Beach
Haeundae Beach is the most famous beach in Busan. The white sand beach is roughly 1.5km long, over a 30~50m wide area, creating a beautiful coastline before a shallow bay. Since more than 500,000 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 it a perfect summer vacation spot. It is also famous for various cultural events and festivals held throughout the year.  
Gwangalli Beach
Gwangalli Beach is 1.4km long, 25~110m wide, and is famous for its fine sand. The area has undergone a water cleaning program, and as a result, the water of the beach is pristine, drawing many young tourists. In addition to the beachfront, the Gwangalli area is filled with romantic restaurants and cafes, as well as stores selling famous fashion brands. The area has plenty to offer, but many people come at night to take in the bright lights of Gwangandaegyo Bridge, stretching across the horizon. 
Dongbaekseom Island
Dongbaekseom island has several different points of attraction, including the monument inscribed with a poem of scholar Choi Chi-won, the mermaid statue based on the legend of Princess Hwagok, and the Nurimaru APEC House. It also offers fantastic views of the Busan shoreline towards Mipo, Dalmaji Hill, Gwangangdaegyo Bridge, and Oryukdo Island. As its name dongbaek (camellia) suggests, camellias burst into bloom everywhere on the island from winter to spring. 
Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Culture Village 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. This village is the epitome of beauty and chaos, all rolled into one. Nestled into the side of a mountain, the former slum is a mishmash of pastel-colored, Lego-like houses, painted in 2009 to lure visitors up steep slopes and through its tiny alleys. Make a point of ticking off the following to-do activities while visiting this vibrant neighborhood. 
Gukje Market
Gukje Market is one of Korea’s largest markets, always bursting with the old-fashioned marketplace spirit. Since vendors deal in both wholesale and retail sales and stock such a wide variety of goods, customers can purchase various items at incredibly inexpensive prices. It is located near several other tourist attractions in Busan, such as the Bupyeong Market, Jagalchi Market, and Nampo-dong. 
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. |
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| Busan Fireworks Festival |
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The Busan Jagalchi Festival |
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Busan International Film Festival |
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| Busan Fireworks Festival is held once a year towards the end of October along Gwangalli beach. Since its inception in 2005, it has grown into a world-class fireworks festival. The festival’s diverse programs of cultural events, high-tech laser light shows, and myriad of unique and colorful fireworks make it one of the area’s most popular festivals, drawing crowds of over 1 million visitors each year. Around evening time after sunset, the fireworks start with countdown at the beach and showcases nearly 85,000 fireworks, state-of-the-art laser lighting and magnificent music against the stunning backdrop of the sea, night sky and Gwangan Grand Bridge. |
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The Busan Jagalchi Festival is korea's largest seafood festival. It is held every year in October at Jagalchi Market, one of Busan's most famous places, and Nampo-dong, located in central Busan. The festival features many things to see including reenactments of traditional fishing folk customs such as Yongwangje(sea king ritual) and Manseonje(a ritual praying for a good catch) as well as various seafood-related hands-on programs. There are also free cruises around Taejongdae and Songdo Islands as well as tours of Jagalchi Fish Market, where fresh sashimi and other seafood can be purchased at discounted prices. |
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The Busan International Film Festival(BIFF) is one of the most influential film festivals in Asia, filling Busan with famous film makers, actors, critics, fans and huge audiences. BIFF is primarily focused on Asian films, but films are screened from all over the world, including North America and Europe. This enables movie fans to gain a comprehensive perspective of all the major movie trends. The films are screened at numerous theaters in the Nampo-dong Street area, at the Cinema Hall in Millak-dong, and on a giant outdoor screen in Suyeongman Bay. |
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For more detailed information, please visit the official website of Busan Metropolitan City:
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