Busan – Beaches, Mountains and Temples

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city, located on the south east coast of the country. This large city is famous for its many beaches, including the largest in South Korea. If visiting the sea isn’t your thing, Busan also offers some of the best hikes in the country as well as some great temples, night life, and shopping destinations. Along with Seoul, Busan should be included in a trip to South Korea.

Things To Do in Busan

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Most Buddhist temples in South Korea are located in the mountains, but not Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This temple is located by the sea, making it a very unique and photogenic site in Busan.

The main temple building sits on a cliff by the sea, and to reach it you climb down 108 steps from the entrance before crossing an arched stone bridge connecting the cliffs. You can head down to the water’s edge for a great view of the entire temple, but you might end up in the splash zone.

This is one of Busan’s most famous tourist sites. As such it can be quite busy, but if you head there on a rainy day it won’t only be quieter but it will also look more dramatic with the waves crashing against the foot of the temple.

Beomeosa Temple

Beomeosa Temple is a very famous Buddhist temple in South Korea. This sprawling temple complex is located at the foot of Geumjeongsan Mountain, in the midst of a beautiful forest. You can take a look around many of the temple buildings and enjoy walking the various paths around the temple.

Located just a little further up Geumjeongsan is Cheongnyeonam, another Buddhist temple with an impressive statue collection worth checking out while you’re at Beomeosa Temple.

Beomeosa Temple also marks a great starting point if you’re planning to hike Geumjeongsan Mountain.

Samgwangsa Temple

While every Buddhist temple in South Korea celebrates Buddha’s birthday in April or May (depending on the lunar calendar), none do it quite like Samgwangsa Temple. This temple located near Busan Citizens Park has one of the most impressive lantern displays I’ve ever seen. Check the dates for Buddha’s birthday and head along any night of that week and you’ll be treated to a huge colourful display of lanterns that come in all shapes and sizes.

Haeundae Beach

Haeundae Beach is the largest beach in South Korea, and one of the most famous in the country. Its yellow sands stretch for almost one and a half kilometres.

The easiest way to get to the beach is by taking the metro to Haeundae Station on line 2. From here you can walk down a semi-pedestrianised shopping street (which also has plenty of restaurants and bars) to reach the beach. In December this street is host to the Light Festival, when it’s decorated with Christmas lights. Nearby you’ll also find the Sea Life Busan Aquarium.

Haeundae Beach is also host to the annual Sand Festival, which is usually held in May. If you go to the beach during this festival you can see lots of great sand sculptures.

Songdo Beach

If you’re looking for a slightly less busy beach but one still in the city, look no further than Songdo Beach. Songdo Beach is a lot smaller than Haeundae, but the area is no less beautiful. This is the first man-made beach in Busan.

At Songdo you can walk on the Cloud Trails Skywalk, a raised walkway that takes you out over the sea. You can also catch the cable car nearby for an aerial view of the beach and surrounding coast.

Gwangalli Beach

Another famous beach in Busan almost as long as Haeundae is Gwangalli Beach. This beach is best visited at night when the surrounding area comes alive with packed restaurants and bars. The Gwangan Bridge, which spans the cove in which the beach sits, also lights up at night for a cool light show.

Gwangalli Beach is also where you can see the drone show. This happens two times every Saturday night, depending on the weather. The times depend on the season, with one show at 8pm and another at 10pm between March and September, and one show at 7pm and another at 9pm from October to February. You can check the most up to date times for the drone show at the official website here – https://www.gwangallimdrone.co.kr/overview.

Gwangalli Night Yacht Tour

Another way to enjoy Gwangalli Beach at night is by taking a yacht tour. The yacht tours usually last one hour and take you out to sea and under Gwangan Bridge. At night many boats in the area launch fireworks. If you time it right you can also enjoy the Gwangalli drone show from the boat. To book you can head to Klook.com Follow the link here to view the tour at Klook.com. DISCLAIMER – this is an affiliate link from which I’ll receive commission for any payment made.

Geumjeongsan Mountain

Difficulty = Easy

Time = 2 Hours Round Trip (Short Route), 4-5 Hours (Long Route)

Distance = 6.3km Round Trip (Short Route)

Geumjeongsan Mountain is the highest mountain in Busan, and one that offers some of the best views of the city and surrounding area. From the top you can see Yangsan to the north, Gimhae to the west, and Haeundae to the south. On a clear day you can even see the mountains of Tsushima. The peak of the Geumjeongsan Mountain, Godangbong, is at a height of 801.5 metres. The mountain is fairly easy to hike, but there’s also a cable car that can take you partway up. Located on the mountain is Beomeosa Temple, as well as Geumjeongsanseong Fortress.

I recommend starting the hike from Beomeosa Temple. Follow the rising path to the right of the temple to find the trail head. It’s not well marked, but you’re looking for signs that say “고당봉” – Godangbong, the mountain summit.

Much of the path is through a forest. It isn’t particularly steep but it can be quite muddy. After about 40 minutes you’ll reach a clearing where you can see the summit. At this point follow the path to the left and it’ll bring you to a series of stairs. Follow these up and you’ll be at the summit.

To come down I recommend heading south, using the other set of stairs. Once you reach the bottom of these you can continue on to the North Gate, or take a detour left to see Geumsaem (금샘). This is a small pool of water said to never dry up. It’s not the most impressive, and it requires a bit of rock climbing to reach, but it may be worth visiting if you’re interested.

From here you can head to the North Gate of Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, where you’ll see the remains of the fortress wall stretched out along the length of the mountain ridge. At this point you have another choice – head through North Gate and back to Beomeosa Temple, completing the loop, or follow the fortress wall south. Heading back to Beomeosa Temple will complete the short route, with a round trip of about two hours.

If you choose to follow the fortress wall south you’ll cover many stairs and smaller peaks before reaching the East Gate. Though fairly long, the views along this hike are worth it. Once you reach the East Gate you can head down the forest road to reach one of the metro stations on line 1, or you can catch a local bus that will bring you back into the city.

Jangsan Mountain

Difficulty = Medium

Time = 3-4 Hours

Distance = 9km Round Trip

Jangsan Mountain is a mountain in the Haeundae District of Busan. Its peak is at 634m and offers great views over the city and sea. The hike isn’t particularly difficult, but some parts are quite steep and it’s a relatively long hike.

The hike to the summit begins in Daecheon Park. I recommend walking through the wave sculpture, walking round the northern part of the lake and crossing the bridge to begin the hike at a little known trailhead. This path, on your right as you come over the bridge from Daecheon Park, offers some stunning views over Haeundae and Gwangalli.

Continue along this path following the sign posts for the peak, and in about 40 minutes you’ll reach the first great viewpoint.

After taking a break here, follow the path again for another 10 minutes and you’ll come to a set of stairs. Continue up the wooden stairs and you’ll reach a viewing platform.

After this you’ll be back in the forest with a bit of a rocky climb. Once you’re clear of the rocks you’ll come to a road leading to the summit. Nearby is a military site that’s fenced off, and you may also see warning signs for mines, but if you stick to the path and don’t cross any barbed wire you’ll be fine.

At the peak you can look north west to Geumjeongsan, west to Hwangneongsan, and south to Gwangalli, Haeundae and the sea. If you’re lucky you can also spot the Japanese island of Tsushima on a clear day.

From the peak of Jangsan there are multiple ways to return back to the starting point. You can head back the way you came, head east for a bit then cut down through the forest, or head further east to see the Jangsan Silver Grass Field before heading south to the starting point. I would recommend this last one so you can see the field of reeds blowing in the wind. The path from here, although slightly longer, is not very steep and is much easier to come down. Before long you’ll reach Jangsan Waterfall and then be back at Daecheon Park.

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain

Difficulty = Medium

Time = 2 Hours Round Trip

Distance = 7km Round Trip

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is perhaps the best mountain to hike in Busan if you want to watch the sunset or enjoy the nightscape. The peak of the mountain is at 427 metres, and from here you can get a near 360 degree view of Busan. On the west side you can watch the sunset, while on the south side you can see Gwangalli. There is also a cafe at the top where you can rest.

The hike itself is not particularly interesting, following a very steep road all the way to the top. You never have to set foot on a trail or enter any forest. Though walking up a road may sound easy, I’ve listed this hike as medium difficulty due to how steep the road is.

Starting from exit 2 of City Hall metro station on line 1, follow the gently sloping 연제로 road east until you reach 황령산로 (Hwangnyeongsan Street) on your right. From here the road gets a lot steeper, but all you have to do is follow it to the top. On the way you’ll pass through Mulmangol Village, then after this you’ll come to Bogwangsa Temple where you can stop to have a look around.

I recommend returning down the mountain by the same road, especially if you’re coming down after sunset. You can take a longer route over the mountain to Kyungsung University, and this route is more of a hiking trail instead of a road, but in the dark it is quite dangerous. The road back to City Hall station is well lit.

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain also makes for a good spot to watch the annual Fireworks Festival. As mentioned, you can see Gwangalli from the top of Hwangnyeongsan Mountain. The Fireworks Festival is held every year at Gwangalli, but around 100,000 people descend on the beach and tickets sell out fast. Public transport around there becomes a nightmare. Hiking to the top of Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is free and, while still busier than usual, is a lot quieter than any of the areas around Gwangalli. You get a better vantage point to enjoy the whole fireworks show and you’re a bit further away from all the banging. You can check the dates for the festival on the Busan city website – https://www.busan.go.kr/eng/index. 

Millac the Market

Millac the Market is located a short walk from Gwangalli Beach. This building is intended to be a cultural venue and features restaurants, bars and shops, as well as a performance area. There is stadium-like seating where you can enjoy live performances for free, and get a view of the sea and Gwangan Bridge through the large windows. The restaurants here serve up great food (I recommend the Hong Kong BBQ place) and some of the shops are pop-up stores which change frequently. Millac the Market is a good spot for a night out in Busan.

Shinsegae Department Store

Shinsegae Centum City Department Store is listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest department store in the world. There are a huge variety of shops and restaurants here, with recognizable brands from around the world. The department store is easily reached by bus or metro. Remember to bring your passport as many shops offer tax free shopping to tourists.

Museum 1

Located in Centum, Museum 1 is a contemporary art museum featuring lots of media art. As well as the video art, the museum also showcases photography, paintings and sculptures. The highlight of the museum is a massive LED screen that stretches along the length of the floor and up the wall to the ceiling. It’s worth sitting and watching as it cycles through the videos.

Seomyeon

Seomyeon can probably be considered as the city centre of Busan. This area has become a major shopping, dining and culture area in the city. It is also a major transportation hub so is very easy to reach. The streets of Seomyeon are always bustling with locals and tourists alike. At night is when this area really comes alive as the many bars and nightclubs open. This area is not a place to take children to at night unless you want to introduce them to the unfortunate side effects of alcohol at a young age.

Gamcheon Culture Village

In 2009 Gamcheon Village underwent a public art-themed renovation project to convert the village into the cultural area it is today. The village is built onto a steep hillside with lots of streets on top of one another and twisting alleys between colourfully painted houses.

In the village there are many little tourist shops and cafes, as well as some museums and plenty of art installations. The most famous one has to be the sculptures of the Little Prince characters looking out over the village. Expect to queue if you want to get your photo taken alongside these characters. You can pick up a map near the entrance and collect stamps from the various points of interest around the village.

Jagalchi Market

Jagalchi Market is the largest fish market in South Korea. You can find all manner of seafood on sale here. The produce can be taken away or eaten at one of the many stalls and restaurants that line the market. If you have a weak stomach maybe avoid this one – the smell is powerful and you’ll see fish being killed, dead sharks and octopus trying to escape – but if you love seafood this is the place to go to in Busan.

Taejongdae

Taejongdae is a park on the southwestern point of Yeongdo Island. As you reach the park I recommend taking the path to the left. You’ll still see everything but it’s less steep and easier to walk around in an anticlockwise direction. The park is home to a dense evergreen forest, a lighthouse, an observatory with a cafe, and various statues including admirals from the Korean navy. The highlight of the park is a small stone beach which can be easily missed. The view looking down to the beach is great and is considered a hidden gem in Busan.

Igidae Coastal Trail and Oryukdo Skywalk

The Igidae Coastal Trail is a roughly 4.5km walk along the coast, starting close to Gwangan Bridge and ending at the Oryukdo Skywalk. The route offers great views out to sea and back towards Gwangalli and Haeundae. At the end you’ll reach the Orukydo Islands. Here you can walk out over the sea on a glass walkway.

Chungnyeolsa

Chungnyeolsa is a shrine where the spirits of people who fought against Japan during the Imjin War of the late 16th century are enshrined. Here you can find temples and sculptures marking the efforts of those who fought against the Japanese in Busan, all set in a beautiful park. There is also art showing some of the battles that took place in Busan, as well as information about the Imjin War.

Ahopsan Bamboo Forest

In the Cheolma region of Busan you can find the Ahopsan Bamboo Forest. This 400 year old forest has towering bamboo, cypress forests, cedar trees and gingko trees, and is a nature conservation area. In 2014, parts of the movie ‘Kundo: Age of the Rampant’ were filmed here, and you can view the filming location.

Daejeo Ecological park

On the west side of Busan is the Daejeo Ecological Park on the banks of the Nakdong River. This park covers a large area where you can walk amongst the different plants and flowers throughout the year. In spring the park is filled with yellow mustard flowers, and in summer the sunflowers bloom. I visited the park in autumn when the pink muhly grass is visible. This pink grass is famous in Korea so you’ll see lots of people taking photos beside it.

Sajik Baseball Stadium

Sajik Baseball Stadium is the home of the Lotte Giants baseball team. If you’re travelling to South Korea then I would definitely recommend checking out a baseball game, even if you’re not a fan. I’d never been to a baseball game before nor watched it on TV, but I had a great time at the game I went to. The atmosphere between all the fans was very friendly and family orientated, with the whole stadium constantly erupting into song and dance. It was like one big karaoke! There are a variety of food and drink options available, as well as a shop selling Lotte Giants merchandise. To book tickets visit the Lotte Giants website here – https://www.giantsclub.com/eng/. 

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