Let’s go to Busan! Part 1

We’ve been cooped up in Seoul all this while so I thought why don’t we take a little trip out of Seoul. Everyone knows about Seoul as it is the capital of South Korea. How many of you all know which is the 2^nd largest city in Korea after Seoul?

Situated on the most south-eastern portion of the Korean peninsula, Busan or Pusan is Korea's principal port and second largest city in Korea after Seoul and is the nation’s largest port city.. As a port city, it is ranked third in the world in terms of the number of containers handled. Busan’s tourist attractions are mostly found along the seacoast. The fine sandy beaches, precipitous cliffs and temples located along the beach are all fantastic tourist spots.

Busan (Pusan) connects Asia, Europe, and North America. This geopolitically situated harbor city sits adjacent to the Korean Straits and Japan, bringing about an interchange of trade and tourism. This intercultural current has made Busan into the international metropolis it is today. Busan has hosted such international events as the 2002 14th Asian Games, the final match of the Korea/Japan World Cup, and since 1995 has annually hosted the Pusan International Film Festival.

There are many tourist attractions in Busan but the two things that Busan is famous for are its Jagalchi Fish Market and the Haeundae Beach

Oiso, boiso, saiso (Come, see, and buy)! — Busan’s common expression, which has become a trademark that originated from the female vendors selling fish at Jagalchi Market. It is here at the area around Jagalchi Market, Nampo-dong street, and Yongdusan Observatory, where you can see how the local people live.                          

The Jagalchi Market is Korea's largest seafood market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the women who sell here are called 'Jagalchi Ajumma.' 'Ajumma' refers to middle-aged or married women. The Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous  Busan  natives.                                                                                       

You can eat fresh raw fish right here at this market. There are even women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden boxes along the road.
Busan is famous throughout the whole of Korea for this market. Every October the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held. The huge size and bustling, lively atmosphere makes a visit to Jagalchi Market a unique experience. There will be small stalls selling fresh inshore hagfish grilled on briquet fires, visitors will be able to try many unusual types of fish as well as excellent sashimi, which is available at low prices. Yes, they say the price of seafood in Busan is much cheaper than elsewhere. This year the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival will be held from 14^th October until 18^th October, so there’s still time to go to this festival if you’re a big seafood lover.

Haeundae Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches to be found in Korea. Not only is it beautiful but it is probably the most famous beach in the country. "Haeundae" was so named by scholar Choi Chi-Won (857~?) of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57~AD 935). When he was walking past Dongbaekdo Island, he was fascinated by it and left the carved words "Hae Un Dae" on a stone wall on the island. The white sand is rough and sticks easily to your skin. The sand of this beach is composed of sand that comes from Chuncheon Stream and shells that have been naturally eroded by the winds of time. Haeundae Beach is also famous for the various cultural events and festivals held throughout the year. There is a Folk Square where you can enjoy traditional games such as neoldduigi (seesaw jumping), Korean wrestling, tuho (arrow throwing), tug-of-war and yutnori. There is also the Beach Culture Center and the Beach Library. It’s most crowded from June to August.

   Earlier this year from May 29^th until 1^st June the Haeundae Sand Festival was held here with the theme "See Sand," "Feel Sand," and "Enjoy Sand." The festival also offered education about ecology and beach pollution in addition to the fun activities. This was the fifth year of the festival, and there were 17 different programs drawn up which included sand sculpture, a sand mime performance, a beach volleyball contest, sand wrestling contest, sandcastle building, hula hoops and a web-footed walking contest. Some of the sculptures were very creative and beautiful.

  

Located adjacent to Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach is famous as a dating place for the many young couples in Busan. At night, the arch-shaped beach is more romantic as it is illuminated by the surrounding buildings and the Gwangan Bridge. Gwangalli Beach is 1.4 km long, 64m wide, and is famous for its fine sand. This area has undergone a water cleaning program, and as a result, the water of the beach is pristine. The clean waters of this area also attract many fishermen. You can prepare raw fish dishes on the spot, right after you have caught the fish. For those looking for some action, there is the Olympic Yacht Rental where you can rent yachts. You can also enjoy water-skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and other exciting water sports. On the beach there is an outer concert stage where the Busan Ocean Festival and other various events are held. The area has a cultural center, a museum, theaters for plays and movies, an art gallery, TV station, and famous Korean and non-Korean fashion brand name shops. It is a popular gathering place for young people in their 20s and 30s.

Songjeong Beach is the ideal beach for families to swim together because of its shallow waters and fine sand. The seashell grains that have formed naturally over time, lie beautifully like tiny marbles along the beach. The beach also has the unique feel of the southern region, making the experience all the more fun. At the entrance of the beach is the Jukdo, where you can find relaxation facilities in the evergreen groves. You can enjoy fishing as well at the northeast end of the beach. There is also a dock where you can use motorboats and take cruises in the summer. A particularly famous part of the Songjeong Beach is the Songiljeong Pavilion, from where you can get a magnificent view of the sunrise and moonrise. But this beach is a bit out of the Busan area. Every year the Harvest Full-Moon Seaweed Festival and the Songjeong Beach Festival are held here.

Dalmaji Hill is a small walkway on the corner to Songjeong Beach. and boasts beautiful cherry blossoms and pine trees, which are located just beyond Haeundae Beach, on the slope of Mt.Wausan. On days with clear skies you can see Japan's Daema Island from the observatory. On the top of the Hill is a clock tower. From the top of the Dalmaji Hill one can get a spectacular ocean view.

Beautiful cafes are drawing considerable attention to the hills of Dalmaji. Reminds one of the cafes of Montemarte in Paris. While you’re here you might as well sit down at one of the cafes and enjoy a bowl of Patbingsu (a dessert of shaved ice with red bean topping and fruits). It’s just divine! 

 

Dadaepo Beach is located at the estuary of the Nakdonggang River just 8km away from downtown Busan. Here you can see where the river joins the sea. This beach is the perfect place for a family vacation because the depth of water is shallow (around 1.5m) enough for children. People can pick up small seashells and crabs at Dadaepo Beach as well. There are also a variety of facilities such as camping sites so you can enjoy the beautiful sea even more.                                                                         

The Busan International Rock Festival is held here every August where visitors can enjoy listening to rock music on the hot summer nights. It is held on Dadaepo’s sandy beaches and is the world’s only no-charge rock festival, and is very popular among rock fans in Korea. The festival functions as the debut stage for new artists, and also features popular rock artists.
Enjoy the beaches and the surrounding attractions during the daytime and enjoy the rock performances at night. To enjoy the performance fully, visitors should allow themselves to go with the flow of the exciting atmosphere. There are rock festival promotional booths, face-painting booths, and souvenir booths for visitors wishing to purchase T-shirts and various other items to have as a nice memento of the festival. The stage is installed with sprinklers, water cannons, fire cannons, fire fountains, and more for special effects to create a more dynamic stage to add to the performance.

There are many islands named Dongbaekdo Island in the South Sea where dongbaek trees thrive. Among them, the Dongbaekdo Island in Busan used to be an island, but is now part of the mainland. At the top of the island, there is a statue and a monument of Choe Chi-Won, a scholar and writer during the Silla Dynasty (BC 59 ~ AD 932). The Busan Tourism Organization has declared Dongbaekdo Island Tourist Site No.46. The island also has a park - Dongbaek Park and a 2.5 m high statue of a mermaid near the beach.

The United Nations Memorial Cemetery and Peace Park honors UN soldiers from 16 countries who were killed in battle during the Korean War from 1950-1953. Some of the sites and memorials include: Memorial Service Hall, Memorabilia Hall, 2 Turkish Monuments, Greek Monument, Australian Monument, British Common Wealth Monument and 2 ponds. The Memorial Service Hall and the Memorabilia Hall were constructed in 1964 and 1968 respectively. The citizens of Busan dedicated the Main Gate in 1966. There are many annual events held here, some of the key events include: April’s Tributary Ceremony of the Veterans of the Korean War, May’s American Memorial Day, June’s Korean Memorial Day, and October’s UN Ceremony Day.

Yongdusan Park, has 70 different species of trees and is a favorite resting area among the citizens of Busan. It is called Yongdusan because the shape of the mountain looks like the head of a dragon that climbs to land from sea. There are many coffee shops around here and the Busan Aquarium is also in the vicinity. The highlight of Yongdusan Park is a night view of Busan from the 120m high Busan Tower.

The Busan Aquarium contains over 35,000 kinds of fish, algae, reptiles, and amphibians. This state-of-the-art facility is one of Korea’s top aquariums. The Busan Aquarium covers an area of 36,000 m2 and has 3 underground levels as well as an outdoor park. On the first underground level you can find a simulator, souvenir shop, and several places to eat, while on underground levels 2 and 3 you can find various kinds of aquariums. The third underground level boasts an 80m main (seabed) tunnel. One feels like they are walking along the ocean floor as they pass through this tunnel, with various species of fish and sharks swimming above their heads. This is one of the most popular areas of the aquarium and is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. The simulator will stretch your imagination and give you the tingling feeling of experiencing life on the ocean floor.

Designated as a Busan monument, along with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae represents Busan, and is especially famous for its rock beach. Featuring its highest peak at 250 meters, there are forests of pine trees and other 200 varieties of trees. Taejongdae was named after the 29th king of Silla Dynasty BC57~AD 935), King TaeJong Mu-Yeol (604~661). King Tae-jong had traveled to many places but this was the place he enjoyed shooting arrows. Under the lighthouse of this resort is a rock called Sinseon Rock, named after the myth that gods and goddesses came down here to relax. At this rock is a figure called Mangbuseok, named after the story of a woman who waited for her husband who had been taken to Japan. Taejongdae is also famous for the ritual of praying for rain, performed when there are droughts, and rain on the 10^th day of the 5^th lunar month is called the 'Taejong Rain'. On days with clear skies you can see Japan’s Daema Island from the observatory.

Geojedo Island is Korea's second largest island with breathtaking scenery. At Jangpyeong-ri, simply pass the great bridge and you will be led directly to Geojedo Island, which boasts the bulk of the South Sea's tourist attractions. Haegeumgang, Mongdol Beach and Oedo Island Paradise Island (remember Winter Sonata) are the most popular sites among them.
Haegeumgang, an island made of rocks, belongs to Hallyeo Marina National Park and is also called the Geumgang of the South Sea. It is famous for both its sunsets and sunrises, and its unique rock formations. Also, Hakdong Mongdol Beach, made of pebbles called Mongdol, has camellias and fairy pits in spring, and comes alive as a beach resort in summer. Oedo Paradise Island, which recently became a popular site, is called the ‘Paradise of Korea’ because of the 3,000 kinds of decorated trees and the Mediterranean style buildings that stand upon this 264 square km land. This island is a poplar site for filming soap dramas due to the combination of the exotic atmosphere and sea.
Geojedo Island is historically a significant place. Memorial services are held annually in memory of General Lee Sun-Shin at the Okpodaecheop (war) Memorial Park, built in memory of the battle of Okpo(1592.5.7 - 5.8). Geojedo Island also had the biggest concentration camp during the Korean War, and the camp has been restored as a historical relics site.

Jagalchi  Market  (Sightseeing around the  area)                                       

The area includes a sushi center where a number of restaurants cater to the needs of visitors during lunchtime. Across from the market is Nampo-dong. This area is also famous for the PIFF Square where the Busan International Film Festival is held every year. After you enjoy some sightseeing on the streets of Nampo-dong, make your way to the nearby Yongdusan Park, go up the Busan Tower Observatory in the center of the park or enjoy a view of the city.

The theater district of Busan is packed with movie theaters and play houses, hosts to the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). To commemorate the PIFF every year the winners of the festival contribute copper plates imprinted with their hand and foot prints. These copper plates stretch far across the plaza walkways. The streets are especially crowded in October, when the films are being screened for the movie festival at local theaters. It is during this time that you can also find various events revolving around the promotion of the movies featured at the festival. In the vicinity of Nampo-dong Street you can find Jagalchi Fish Market and Choryang Arcade for Foreigners. This well sought after area is flourishing with not only theaters, but many kinds of shops and eateries as well.

Recommended! Noodles at Nampo-dong Meokjagolmok!
The meokjagolmok (food alley) in Nampo-dong has a long history stretching over 50 years. It first started with a few cart vendors who catered to refugees after the Korean War. Today, there are about 30 to 40 vendors lining the alley to sell snack foods such as noodles, japchae (Vermicelli mixed with vegetables), gimbap (rice rolls), tteokbokki (rice cakes in hot sauce), and sundae (Korean sausage with a casing of intestines). With prices ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 won, travelers are sure to find delicious local food for a very affordable price.

Taejongdae Park’s coastal  cliffs.       Famous for its oddly-shaped rocks and cliffs, Taejongdae Park offers a great sightseeing course along a 4.3-kilometer coastal road. The sites include Taejongsa Temple, a lighthouse, and an observatory, which are accessible on foot or by tram. The most popular is the Yeongdo Lighthouse Maritime Culture Area. First opened in 2004, this site offers views of the sea from a white lighthouse, which also has a maritime theater, a library (free Internet), a natural history gallery, and a coffee shop. After visiting the lighthouse, walk down to view the sea. You can easily access Taejongdae by taking a Danubi tour tram.

Because of their unique geographical surroundings, Yonggungsa Temple and Beomeosa Temple have totally different features. While Yonggungsa Temple, located on a coastal cliff, offers a beautiful view of the sea, Beomeosa Temple, which is nestled deep in the mountains, has a different ambience. You can choose either of the two temples depending on personal preference.
A round trip to Yonggunsa takes an hour by taxi (public transportation is not recommended) and two hours by subway to Beomeosa, so make sure to allocate enough time for a temple visit. If a temple tour isn’t how you want to spend your time, you can top off your Busan trip with a leisurely shopping trip to a duty free shopping center.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. This superb find of a tourist spot and temple 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 during the Goryeo Dynasty. During the reign of Uwang, the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong established this temple beside the sea. 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.
The main sanctuary of the temple was reconstructed in 1970 with careful attention paid to the colors that were traditionally used in such structures. On the right-hand side, inside the a cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist sanctum, while situated just in front of the main sanctuary is a three-story pagoda with four lions. The four lions are symbolizing joy anger, sadness, and happiness. Other special sites at the temple are the 108 stairs and stone lanterns lining the rocky landscape. After going down the 108 steps, one will be delighted with the beauty of the temple. Midway down the 108 steps one can stop and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves as well view the majestic sunrise. Many people often come to this spot on New Year's Day to make a wish for the new year as they watch the sun come up. April is an especially beautiful time of year with cherry blossoms in full bloom. The birth of Buddha is also celebrated in April (following the lunar calendar) and offers a spectacular night view as the temple area is aglow with electrically lit lanterns.

 Beomeosa Temple is located at the edge of Mt. Geumjeongsan, a famous mountain in Busan. About 1,300 years ago it was constructed by monk Ui Sang in the 18th year (678) of King Munmu (reign 661~681) of the Silla Kingdom (the kingdom mainly occupied the Gyeongsang-do Province region in 678A.D.). In the geography book 'Donggukyeojiseungram' the origin of Beomeosa Temple is written as follows: "There is a well on the top of Mt. Geumjeongsan and the water of that well is gold. The golden fish in the well rode the colorful clouds and came down from the sky. This is why the mountain is named Geumsaem (gold well) and the temple is named 'fish from heaven'."
The original Beomeosa Temple building was lost during Imjinwaeran Invasion (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592) but was renovated in 1713, which remains as it now is. Daeungjeon is one of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910). There is Iljumun, the three-story pagoda with four pillars, built in the 9th century, and seven royal palace wings, pavilions, three gates, and eleven hermitages. Designated as a natural monument, the wisteria woods and valleys are most beautiful in May.

You can enjoy some of the major tourist destinations of Busan for just 10,000 won by taking a city tour bus. The bus tour, which is becoming more popular, offers both one-story buses as well as the double-decker buses. It offers the Haeundae, Taejongdae, and night tour programs, which all start from Busan Station. The tours take about two hours. If you buy a one-day pass, you can enjoy a leisurely tour and get on and off any time during the route.Each seat is equipped with a personal monitor showing information on each tourist site. The audio service is available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. The best seats are usually the front seats on the top deck, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are three operating routes:-

1 Taejongdae Tour: Busan Station ~ Yongdusan Park ~ Coastal Ferry Terminal ~ Taejongdae Park ~ Jagalchi Market ~ PIFF Square ~ Busan Station

2 Haeundae Tour: Busan Station ~ Busan Museum ~ UN Memorial Park ~ Gwangalli Beach ~ Nurimaru ~ Haeundae Beach ~ Municipal Museum ~ BEXCO ~ Busan Station

3 Night Tour: Busan Station ~ Gwangan Bridge ~ Haeundae Beach ~ Dalmaji ~ Busan Station

To wrap up your trip, why not spend the night at a jjimjilbang (a Korean sauna or bath-house) for a uniquely Korean cultural experience. Vesta Jjimjilbang is located on Haeundae’s Dalmaji Hill. The side of the building facing the sea is all glassed in and so visitors can enjoy a fantastic night view of Haeundae and Gwangalli while taking a steam sauna.
This 5-story building has an information desk on the first floor, a women and men’s sauna on the 2nd and 4th floor, a jjimjilbang on the 3rd floor, and a fitness center and open-air bath on the 5th floor. Don’t miss the fabulous view of Haeundae from the open-air bath. Swimsuits are required.

Jjimjilbangs are also a great deal for the cost-conscious traveller in Korea. For 6000-8000 Won, one can sleep overnight there and enjoy the bathhouse and sauna and wake up fresh and ready to travel the next morning. If you have bags and backpacks with you that are too big to fit in the lockers, usually the front desk will watch your bags at no charge, during your stay.

Guess that’s all for today. Tell you about the wonderful shopping and some of the festivals  in Busan in my next post, so don’t forget to stop by ok?