Looking to expand your horizon beyond Seoul and discover another South Korean jewel?
Are you looking for underrated places to visit before the whole world catches up to its mistake?
If you’ve seen the Black Panther or Tidal Wave movies, you might be interested to dive into the action and explore their filming location.
Busan (pronounced /Pusan/) is the second biggest city in South Korea, making it a necessary stop in your Asian adventure. Home to the famous Busan International Film Festival, the city is finally getting more international spotlight. Because it is nestled between the sea and the mountains, it could be described as laid-back. Do you like hikes? Traditional korean food? Beaches? Temples? Cute cafes, restaurants or clubs? You just found the perfect place for your next long getaway weekend.
If you’re looking to do aquatic activities like jet-skiing, kayaking or paddleboarding, you will have to brace yourself and be strong to face the invigorating water temperatures.
Black Panther Car Chase Scene:
Busan (pronounced /Pusan/) is the second biggest city in South Korea, making it a necessary stop in your Asian adventure. Home to the famous Busan International Film Festival, the city is finally getting more international spotlight. Because it is nestled between the sea and the mountains, it could be described as laid-back. Do you like hikes? Traditional korean food? Beaches? Temples? Cute cafes, restaurants or clubs? You just found the perfect place for your next long getaway weekend.
If you’re looking to do aquatic activities like jet-skiing, kayaking or paddleboarding, you will have to brace yourself and be strong to face the invigorating water temperatures.
Black Panther Car Chase Scene:
Where to stay
When staying in Busan, what you ideally want is to be located on Gwangalli beach and have a breathtaking view of the famous Diamond Bridge that lights up at night with special animated effects. Gwangalli beach is perfect to take a daily stroll, check out restaurants and bars. If you are feeling adventurous, shops sell fireworks that you can ignite there as well. If you stay in this area, you will see locals enjoying a picnic with their family or friends in the evening.
All about the views but you don’t want to make your wallet cry? Like me, stay at the Jini Guest House. Conveniently located, the hostel overlooks the Gwangalli beach front, the diamond bridge and facilities include an extensive (free) breakfast in the morning.
Extra fun n°1: You can choose if you want a bed or a futon.
Extra fun n°2: The elevator is made of glass also so you can see the view when going up or down.
All about the views but you don’t want to make your wallet cry? Like me, stay at the Jini Guest House. Conveniently located, the hostel overlooks the Gwangalli beach front, the diamond bridge and facilities include an extensive (free) breakfast in the morning.
Extra fun n°1: You can choose if you want a bed or a futon.
Extra fun n°2: The elevator is made of glass also so you can see the view when going up or down.
Jini Guest House
📍Gwangalli beach
🔥 ocean view
🔥 free continental breakfast
🔥 literally ON the beach
💰 21 $USD per person
Address: 249, Gwanganhaebyeon-Ro, Suyeong-Gu, Busan, South Korea
+82 (0) 51 753 2258
🔥 ocean view
🔥 free continental breakfast
🔥 literally ON the beach
💰 21 $USD per person
Address: 249, Gwanganhaebyeon-Ro, Suyeong-Gu, Busan, South Korea
+82 (0) 51 753 2258
If you want your experience to be a bit fancier, here are other options for different budgets:
💵 Hound Hotel
📍Dong-Gu, close to Busan China Town
🔥small outdoor pool and bar with a view
💰 ≈ 61 dollars / room for 2 people
Address: 9, Jungang-daero 236beon-gil, Dong-gu, Dong-Gu, 48732 Busan, South Korea
💵💵 Kolon Seacloud Hotel
📍Haeundae Beach
🔥 outdoor swimming pool with ocean view
🔥 rooftop
💰 ≈ 87 dollars /room for 2 people
Address: 287, Haeundaehaebyun-ro, Haeundae-gu, 48095 Busan, South Korea
💵💵💵 Signiel Hotel
📍Haeundae Beach
🔥 outdoor swimming pool with ocean view
💰 ≈ 299 dollars /room for 2 people
Address: 30, Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, 48099 Busan, South Korea
Haeudae Beach 해운대해수욕장
The most touristic and festive: If you want to get closer to the bustle of Busan, Haeudae Beach is where most festivals and events are happening. You will also find most hotels to be located there. It is definitely the most famous spot. Every year in January, it hosts the Polar Bear Swim Festival in which participants bathe in the freezing water to celebrate the new year and make wishes for the future. It also has face-painting, dancing, and other fun family-oriented activities.
Gamcheon Cultural village 감천문화마을
The town was used to relocate the poor after the Korean War and was recently renovated to effectively promote tourism in Korea. In recent years, it definitely has been developed and might have lost some of its authenticity but to me it’s still a necessary spot to check out when in Busan. It has been compared to a Lego city and nicknamed the Machu Picchu of Korea because of the architectural style and its location built into the mountains. It’s definitely an instagramable place so you’ll see lots of tourists posing and taking photos in front of colorful murals or street art pieces or in the countless trending cafes.
♡ Advice: wear comfortable shoes as walking up and down the slopes and through narrow alleys there will be a workout! Get ready to get lost 🙂
♡ Advice: wear comfortable shoes as walking up and down the slopes and through narrow alleys there will be a workout! Get ready to get lost 🙂
The Haedung Yonggungsa Temple 해동 용궁사
Literally the Korean Dragon Palace Temple:
Originally built in 1376 and restored a long time after the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592-98, it is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Korea and I deeply regret missing it. It’s located on the shoreline, facing the East Sea, and it is pretty tough to get to so you will need a few spare hours to reach it. Among its different parts, you will find pagodas, dragons, 12 zodiac human statues with animal heads as a rite of passage, a buddha and big golden pigs to bring good fortune. There are hikes and it is said to be a great spot to watch the sunrise.
Jangsan Mountain 장산
From the top of the hill you can see the city from afar, waterfalls and fireflies (in the Fall at least). Just make sure you go back to the city before it gets dark, because it’s a long walk, directions are not well marked and there are NO lights.
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK:
➡ Make sure to try Bibimbap
비빔밥 (a rice bowl with veggies, eggs and seaweed) and Kimchi
김치 at a local Korean restaurant. As it is a fishing town, you will find crab cakes and fresh seafood all around.
➡ Also, drinking Soju is an unavoidable step towards your goal of exploring the real Korean lifestyle!
➡ If you see any, try red bean noodles. It’s a Chinese dish but it’s made it to Korea, it’s delicious so don’t miss it!
➡ Like anywhere else in Korea, the cafe scene in Busan is pretty great. Before you take your trip, make sure you check out new trends, because they change fast and innovation in art and food plays a big part in Korean culture. An example right here: yup, it’s cottoncandy.
If you like seashore’s cafes, here are two that you might enjoy :
➡ Also, drinking Soju is an unavoidable step towards your goal of exploring the real Korean lifestyle!
➡ If you see any, try red bean noodles. It’s a Chinese dish but it’s made it to Korea, it’s delicious so don’t miss it!
➡ Like anywhere else in Korea, the cafe scene in Busan is pretty great. Before you take your trip, make sure you check out new trends, because they change fast and innovation in art and food plays a big part in Korean culture. An example right here: yup, it’s cottoncandy.
If you like seashore’s cafes, here are two that you might enjoy :
Roof Top Cafe
📍Cheongsapo 11AM-10PM
Address: 139-4, Cheongsapo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan 4F (next to the newly opened Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk)
Address: 139-4, Cheongsapo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan 4F (next to the newly opened Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk)
Waveon Coffee
Opening hours: Every day 11AM-12AM
Address: 286 Haemaji-ro, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Address: 286 Haemaji-ro, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Mad Dog Restaurant
For a fun evening drink, a party atmosphere and a view of the lit-up diamond bridge I recommend this place. It was a fun place and it’s close to many restaurants for a nice dinner near the beach!
Address: 179-3, Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan
In 2020 Imagine your Korea made a video that can give you a sense of what those places look like! Can you spot the places that I mentioned in this article?
Feel the Rhythm of Korea: BUSAN
Address: 179-3, Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan
In 2020 Imagine your Korea made a video that can give you a sense of what those places look like! Can you spot the places that I mentioned in this article?
Feel the Rhythm of Korea: BUSAN
So, is Busan on your list yet? 🔥
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