Busan travel - South Korea, Asia

Top attractions and sightseeing spots in Busan

Beaches

• Haeundae Beach: Busan's most famous beach, known for its beautiful sand, lively atmosphere, and stunning views of the city skyline.
• Gwangalli Beach: A scenic beach with a long pier and a beautiful view of the Gwangan Bridge, especially at night.
• Songjeong Beach: A quieter beach popular with families, known for its clean sand and calm waters.

Parks and Nature

• Taejongdae Resort Park: A seaside park with scenic cliffs, beaches, and hiking trails. It offers great views of the ocean and the city.
• Geumjeong Mountain: The highest mountain in Busan, popular for hiking with beautiful forest trails and temples.
• Yongdusan Park: A park located in downtown Busan, home to the Busan Tower and various cultural facilities.

Museums and Galleries

• Busan Museum: Showcases the history and culture of Busan, with exhibits on archaeology, history, and art.
• Busan Museum of Art: Features a collection of modern and contemporary Korean art in a striking building designed by architect Itami Jun.
• Busan Cinema Center: Home to the Busan International Film Festival, it has a museum dedicated to Korean cinema.

Historic Sites

• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: A beautiful seaside temple dating back to 1376, known for its stunning ocean views.
• Dalmaji-gil Road: A scenic road lined with pine trees that offers great views of the ocean and the city.
• Gamcheon Culture Village: A colorful and picturesque neighborhood known for its unique architecture and street art.

Other Attractions

• Jagalchi Fish Market: Korea's largest seafood market, offering a lively atmosphere and fresh local catches.
• Nurimaru APEC House: The venue for the 2005 APEC summit, now a museum and event space with great views of the city.
• Busan Tower: Offers panoramic views of the city from its observation deck at the top of Yongdusan Park.

Transportation options around Busan

Airport Transfers

• Gimhae International Airport is Busan's main airport, located about 12 km from the city center.
• Airport limousine buses run directly from the airport to major hotels and bus terminals in Busan. The journey takes around 40-60 minutes depending on traffic.
• Taxis are also available from the airport, with the fare to downtown Busan costing around 30,000-40,000 KRW.

Public Transit

• Busan has an extensive subway system with 4 lines covering major areas of the city. Trains run from around 5:30am to midnight.
• Buses are another convenient way to get around Busan. There are local city buses, express buses, and intercity buses to other parts of South Korea.
• The Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit connects Busan's subway system to Gimhae, a neighboring city near the airport.

Taxis

• Taxis are widely available in Busan and are a good option for shorter trips or late at night when public transit is less frequent.
• Fares start at 3,000 KRW for the first 2 km, then 100 KRW for every 144 meters after that. There are additional charges for late night, holidays, and tolls.
• Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so having your destination written in Korean is helpful.

Ride-Sharing

• Kakao T is the most popular ride-hailing app in Busan, similar to Uber. It allows you to book and pay for taxis or private drivers.
• Tada is another ride-sharing service available in Busan and other major Korean cities.

Weather and climate to pack appropriately

Temperatures

• Busan has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons.
• Average high temperatures range from 7°C (45°F) in January to 29°C (84°F) in August.
• Average low temperatures range from -1°C (30°F) in January to 23°C (73°F) in August.
• Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are mild, with average highs around 15-20°C (59-68°F).

Rainfall

• Busan experiences a monsoon season from June to August, with the highest rainfall in July.
• July is the wettest month, with an average of 383mm (15 inches) of rain.
• The driest months are January and December, with around 40mm (1.6 inches) of rain.
• Typhoons can bring heavy rain and strong winds, typically from July to October.

Other Weather Patterns

• Busan has a relatively high humidity year-round, averaging 60-70%.
• Winters can be chilly and dry, with occasional light snowfall.
• Spring and fall are generally sunny, with occasional rain showers.
• Summers are hot, humid and sunny, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Events, festivals, and holidays in Busan throughout the year

Spring (March to May)

• Busan Cherry Blossom Festival (April): Celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms along the Dongbaek Island and Dalmaji-gil Road.
• Busan Sea Festival (May): A festival showcasing Busan's maritime culture, featuring cultural performances, food stalls, and water sports.

Summer (June to August)

• Busan Fireworks Festival (July or August): One of the largest fireworks displays in Asia, held over Gwangalli Beach.
• Busan Sand Festival (July): An annual sand sculpture festival featuring intricate creations on Haeundae Beach.
• Busan International Rock Festival (August): A major music festival featuring rock, metal, and alternative bands.

Fall (September to November)

• Busan One Asia Festival (October): A large-scale music and cultural festival celebrating Korean pop culture.
• Busan International Film Festival (October): One of the most prestigious film festivals in Asia, showcasing both local and international movies.
• Busan Lantern Festival (November): A festival of light installations and displays along the Busan harbor.

Winter (December to February)

• Busan Christmas Market (December): A traditional European-style Christmas market with food, crafts, and holiday activities.
• Busan Polar Bear Swimming Festival (January): An annual event where participants take a dip in the chilly waters of the East Sea.

Packing Tips

• Pack layers for spring and fall, including a light jacket or sweater.
• Bring an umbrella or rain jacket during the summer monsoon season.
• Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for summer, including shorts, t-shirts and sandals.
• Bring warmer clothing like long pants, jackets and closed-toe shoes for winter.
• Don't forget sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for sunny days.

Cultural etiquette to keep in mind

Greetings and Introductions

• Greet people with a slight bow, the deeper the bow the more respect shown.
• Use both hands or your right hand supported by your left when shaking hands.
• Expect personal questions, as this is seen as polite interest in your life.

Dining Etiquette

• Wait to be seated, with elders and those of higher status seated first.
• Elders are served first and begin eating first, everyone waits for them.
• Avoid pointing chopsticks at others or standing them upright in rice.
• Pour drinks for others before yourself, using both hands.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are given and received with a slight bow.
• Avoid giving white flowers, as they are associated with funerals.

Manners and Customs

• Remove shoes when entering a home or some traditional restaurants.
• Avoid excessive body contact, as Koreans value personal space.
• Punctuality is highly respected, so try to be on time.
• Modesty and humility are admired traits in Korean culture.

Best shopping districts, markets, and stores for local crafts and souvenirs

Nampodong Underground Shopping Center

Nampodong is known as Busan's main shopping district, with the underground shopping center being a popular spot for bargain hunting. You can find a wide variety of goods here, from clothing and accessories to electronics and souvenirs. It's a great place to pick up inexpensive Korean fashion and unique local crafts.

Gukje Market

Gukje Market is one of the largest traditional markets in Busan. Originally established by war refugees in the 1950s, it now offers an eclectic mix of goods, from antiques and vintage items to clothing, accessories, and local specialties. Look for traditional Korean fans, hanji (Korean paper) products, and Busan-made souvenirs.

Jagalchi Market

Jagalchi Market is famous for its fresh seafood, but it also has a section selling local handicrafts and souvenirs. You can find things like traditional Korean knives, pottery, and dried fish snacks. The market has a lively atmosphere and is a great place to soak up Busan's maritime culture.

Busan Gamcheon Culture Village

This colorful, artistic neighborhood is a popular spot for unique souvenirs. Wander through the maze of alleys lined with galleries, craft shops, and cafes. Look for handmade crafts, paintings, and quirky souvenirs that capture the village's vibrant spirit.

Shinsegae Department Store

As one of the largest department stores in Busan, Shinsegae has a great selection of Korean fashion, beauty products, and souvenirs. Check out the basement food hall for gourmet Korean snacks and ingredients to bring home. The store also has a large duty-free section.