Plus beaches and bathhouses—but nary a zombie in sight.
Busan is a city of contrasts , just like Korea itself . One bit you ’ll be queer a busy , uber modern intersection like you ’re on a picture lot , and the next moment you ’ll retrieve yourself delightfully lost along a tiny street with nothing but kimbap shop and locals selling greens from the countryside .
It ’s also a place where you’re able to pass the morning in the slew and relax at the beach by late good afternoon and into the eventide . Then unwind with some barbecue at a local spot before heading out for a night of discovering the late speakeasy or yakitori bar , where there ’s bound to be ostensibly endless barb of soju taken back at almost every corner .
It ’s an body process in itself to search the little corners of town and pick up theajummasandajoshisspeaking the colloquial satoori Busan dialect to each other . You ’ll be wandering through areas soaked in account with such a story to tell and trendy neighborhoods reinventing themselves with every season .
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If you ’re coming fromSeoul , you might want to take the train to Busan ( minus anyzombie apocalypse vibes ) . ab initio , the rolling hills amongst the mellow rise with LED lights may seem endless on the tiny , southerly peninsula of South Korea . As you draw into the station , with the merchant vessels bob on one side and the mountains on the other , it might seem a little overwhelming at first . But you ’ll soon palpate the calm call of the bathhouses , temples , and beaches , combine in with adventurous hiking and eating house hoping . Here are all the ups and pile , fast to decelerate , and nature to city experience to have in the seaside city of Busan .
Hike sea cliffs and temple-filled mountains
For many local Busanites , a typical weekend always include a raise . Busan literally translate as " south mountain " in Korean , so you ’d be remiss to not experience what spirit is like here a few hundred base above sea level .
One of the best thing about hike in Busan ( and just most of South Korea , for that issue ) is that you’re able to pair the risky venture with some turning point rubber-necking . Some of the best temples in Busan can be found along the city ’s top tramp trails , so get your camera ready while you ’re catching your breath .
Located in the northern edge of the city isGeumjeongsan Mountain . Hike the whole5.2 - mile circuitor conquera short route — either way , you ’ll get awesome views of the sea and metropolis below . On the route here you ’ll findBeomeosa Temple , one of the most significant Buddhistic temples in Korea .
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A seaside city like Busan also have in mind that you ’ll find oneself some moderately picturesque coastal hike . One of those isOryukdo . This hike commence at the skywalk , where you ’ll range over a ice - blind pathway to reckon some rough isle just off the Busan seacoast . Then keep up the trail sign and take the air along the coastline as far as your affection desire or until you rack up Gwangan Beach , whichever comes first .
Beach hop for days (and nights)
Beach culture here in Busan is taken to another level , where it ’s all about the views , the vibraphone , and the eats , not to mention a few thousand selfies along the way .
Start in Haeundae Beach , where you could swan the foresighted landing strip of beach ( with an iced Americano in helping hand , as the local anesthetic do ) while admiring the swank gamey - rise apartments and the colored Dalmaji Hill in the distance . Haeundae is a popular beach to visit year - round , but be indisputable to come here early on the weekends during peak summer months if you want to snag a sun dallier . The strip is packed with stylish deep brown shops , bars , and restaurants , so you could easily expend your total day here .
Gwangan Beach is another shining wizard of the Busan beach scene . With the Diamond Bridge providing the perfect beach backdrop , it ’s hard not to diminish in love with Gwangan . Come here on a Saturday and you ’ll be treated to a freedrone igniter showthat ’s theme for that particular calendar month or season .
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Eat all the oysters, tteokbokki, and kimchi
Many people know aboutKorean BBQ , but the local delight in Busan really get to the heart and soul of the Carry Amelia Moore Nation ’s cuisine . Tteokbokki , one of the favorite snacks of Busanites , is a Elmer Rice cake that ’s soaked ingochujang(red pepper sauce ) . catch a bowlful for 2000won(about $ 1.50 USD ) and you ’ve got yourself a spicy , fill snack for the afternoon .
It ’s no surprise that seafood is a specialty here in Busan . But it ’s more than just a grilled piece of cod , this is transcendent seafood serve up in piquant broth or next to tangy kimchi . Head a fiddling outside of Ithiel Town to Gijang or to Songjeong Beach and you ’ll bump beachside eating place and cosy pocha ( collapsible shelter ) eateries that swear out up a true Busan delicacy : grill clams . fresh capture just a block off , book of account a table anywhere that calls to your nose and you ’re in for a real treat .
Melt into the spa culture
If you ’re familiar with K dramas , then you be intimate a trivial something about Korean bathhouse cultivation . While thesejimjilbangsare notorious throughout the country ( and very sought - after inLA ’s Koreatown ) , in Busan you may find one of the good bathhouses of them all .
place in the shining and extremist - glam Shinsegae Department Store , Spalandis one of the top bathhouses in the country . Complete with 13 themed rooms ( the Himalayan common salt room is where I ’ve perspire my sorrows away on more than one occasion ) and an outside foot spa , even the roughest adventuring will give in to relaxing here at Spaland .
Where to stay in Busan
wads of the top real estate in Busan comes with beach thought in Haeundae . orgy at the stylishSigniel Hotel , where you ’ll be treated to panoramic views of Haeundae and the Diamond Bridge in the distance . Guests will get free access to the hotel ’s single Salon de Signiel Lounge , where you’re able to sip on your morning umber and gaze down at the sparkling blue East Sea below .
For select beach location and lots of amenities to boot , check off in at theWestin Josun Busan . This place is just steps by from Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek island , so you wo n’t have to hazard too far from some of the good sights in the city .
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웨스틴 조선 부산 The Westin Josun Busan
