10:00 AM - Tour around Gukje Market and lunch

Gukje Market is the filming location of the Korean film “Ode to My Father,” which was a big hit in 2014. The film garnered more than 14 million viewers and the market subsequently became a major tourist attraction of Busan. In particular, Kkotbunine (name of the shop), which appeared in the film as the main actor’s store, is a must-see in Gukje Market.

The history of Gukje Market dates back to 1945. This time-honored market was opened following Korea’s liberation from colonial rule and goods that were used during wartime were being sold here. Its maze-like alleys are packed with a diverse variety of stores selling clothing, general merchandise, kitchenware, and etc, adding more fun of exploring every nook and corner of the market place.


Address: Sinchang-dong 4-ga area, Jung-gu, Busan
Directions:
Departing from Busan Station: Walk 201 meters to Busan Station (Subway Line 1), Exit 7 → Walk 89 meters to Busan Station bus stop → Get on Bus No. 40 and get off at Bosu-dong Chaekbanggolmok (bookstore alley) Bus Stop → Walk 353 meters to Gukje Market (approx. 20 min).
Departing from Busan Jonghap Bus Terminal: Walk 179 meters to Exit 3 of Nopo Station → Get on Subway Line 1 at Nopo Station → Get off at Jagalchi Station, Exit 7 → Walk 665 meters to Gukje Market (approx. 1 hr 2 min).

1:00 PM - Sightseeing at BIFF Square

BIFF Square was created with the opening of the first Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in 1996. Busan’s major movie theaters are clustered in this district, contributing to the city’s profile as a center of the film industry. A wide array of film-related sculptures is installed along the approximately 500 metered-long street and hand prints of famous movie celebrities can also be seen embossed on the ground. Visitors can have fun trying to locate the hand prints of their favorite actors, actresses, or directors.

A must-try specialty of the BIFF Square is ssiat-hotteok (Korean-style pancake stuffed with seeds). Ever since it was featured in the popular Korean variety show “Two Days, One Night,” this delicacy has become so popular that customers often line up to buy one. Ssiat-hotteok has a distinct chewy texture of various seed filling, and is widely enjoyed for its sweet and delightfully salty taste.


Address: 36, BIFF Gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Directions (Gukje Market → BIFF Square, approx. 5 min): Gukje Market → Walk about 189m to Baeksang Jomyeong → Walk left for about 69m to Pizza Hut Busan Gwangbok branch → Walk right for about 70m to BIFF Square.

2:00 PM - Busan Jagalchi Market tour

Jagalchi Market comes into view right after crossing the crosswalk in front of the BIFF Square. It is one of Korea’s foremost seafood markets, where visitors can vividly soak up the fishing village atmosphere in the urban center. The origins of the market’s name, Jagalchi, are diverse, but the most plausible story is that the market used to take place on gravel (jagal in Korean) and that many of the fish sold here at that time ended with the letter “chi,” such as myeolchi (anchovy) and galchi (cutlassfish).

The market is located inside a large building. The first floor of the building is the main fish market selling a huge selection of sea products, while the second floor contains spaces where you can eat the fresh seafood purchased from the market. In addition, the area behind the market building has a variety of sculptures and it is an ideal spot to watch the sight of fishing boats entering towards the market.


Address: 52, Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Directions (BIFF Square → Jagalchi Market, approx. 4min): BIFF Square → Cross two pedestrian crossing → Walk about 261m to Jagalchi Market.
Website: jagalchimarket.bisco.or.kr (Korean only)

3:00 PM - Photo mementos at Busan Gamcheon Culture Village

The picturesque Gamcheon Culture Village has earned many nicknames with a few popular ones being Korea’s Santorini” and “Lego Village.” Originally a poor hillside neighborhood, the village was named its current name in 2009, when local residents and artists in the Busan region began refurbishing the entire village into an art village.

Rows and rows of small houses closely huddled together along the hillsides and the ones that are empty have been turned into unique areas to provide cultural and art experiences. Enjoy a wonderful time taking a stroll through this charming village and make sure to climb up to the ‘Haneulmaru Observation Deck’ for a beautiful panoramic view of the village. It is also an excellent spot to take pictures against the colorful backdrop of the village.


Address: Haneulmaru, 177-11, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
Directions (Jagalchi Market → Gamcheon Culture Village, approx. 28 min): Jagalchi Market → Walk about 717m to Chungmu-dong Yukgyo Bus Stop → Get on local Bus No. 2 and get off at Sambo Passenger Garage Bus Stop → Walk about 154m to Gamcheon Culture Village.
Website: gamcheon.or.kr (Korean only)

4:30 PM - Sightseeing at Taejongdae and dinner

Taejongdae was named after the 29th ruler of the Silla Dynasty, King Taejong Mu-yeol (r. 654~661), who was so entranced by its exquisite coastal views that he decided to reside for a while and enjoyed shooting arrows in the area. The harmony of luxuriant forest, rocky cliffs, and the vast ocean unfolds a breathtaking scenic beauty. A number of famous attractions are located throughout Taejongdae including Sinseondae Cliff, Mangbuseok Rock, and Yeongdo Lighthouse, which is considered the iconic symbol of Taejongdae.
There are three ways for travelers to discover Taejongdae: walking along the road; taking a ride on Taejongdae Danubi Train; and boarding the Taejongdae Gonpo Cruise Boat. All three ways will allow you to fully enjoy the natural wonders of Taejongdae, but we recommend taking the Danubi Train for a time and cost saving option. With a single ticket, you can conveniently hop on and off the train repeatedly at any stop you wish, giving you a greater freedom to explore this scenic place.


Address: 24, Jeonmang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan (management office)
Directions (Gamcheon Culture Village → Taejongdae, approx 1 hr 9 min): Gamcheon Culture Village → Walk about 559m to Yangseong Super (grocery store) Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 87 and get off at Nampo-dong Bus Stop → Walk about 73m to Jagalchi Market Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 30 and get off at Taejongdae (Taejongdae Oncheon) Bus Stop → Walk approx. 1.13 kilometers to Taejeongdae.

Operating hours
Taejongdae Danubi Train: Summer Season (March – October) 09:20-20:00 / Winter Season (November - February) 09:20-19:00
※ The train may not operate in case of heavy rain (over 5mm per hour) or snow.
Taejongdae Gonpo Cruise Boat: 09:00-18:00 (30-40 minutes interval on weekdays / 20-30 minutes interval on weekends)
※ Cruise boat schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Fees
Taejongdae Danubi Train: Adults 2,000 won / Teenagers 1,500 won / Children 1,000 won
Taejongdae Gonpo Cruise Boat: Adults (ages 13 & above) 10,000 won / Children (ages 2-12) 6,000 won
Website: taejongdae.or.kr (Korean only)


Day 2

11:00 AM - Leisure stroll along Gwangalli Beach and lunch

Gwangalli Beach is a 1.5 kilometer-long stretch of fine sandy beach. It is touted to be one of the top three beaches in Busan and becomes packed with vacationers during the peak summer season. During the day, the reed parasols along the shore create exotic scenery. At night, the beach offers marvelous views of the colorfully lit Gwangandaegyo Bridge, the iconic landmark of Busan. The beach takes on an especially vibrant and beautiful look in October, when the annual Busan Fireworks Festival takes place. It is Korea’s largest-scale fireworks festival and visitors flock in from all over the country to take in the splendid fireworks show.


Address: Gwangan 2-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Directions (Taejongdae Resort Park → Gwangalli Beach, approx. 1 hr 26 min): Taejongdae Resort Park → Walk approx. 1.15 kilometers to the bus garage Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 101 and get off at Jungang-dong Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 41 and get off at Gwangalli Beach Bus Stop → Walk about 232m to Gwangalli Beach.

2:00 PM - Shopping at Centum City!

Centum City is where you can enjoy both shopping and cultural life. This trendy district is filled with modern skyscrapers and uniquely designed buildings. Some of the most notable buildings in the area include Shinsegae Centum City, registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest department store in the world or Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (also known as BEXCO), and Busan Cinema Center, which is the venue of the opening and the closing ceremonies of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

It takes a great deal of time to look around the Centum City, as there are numerous high-rise buildings with spacious interiors. Therefore, it is best to figure out the places you want to visit in advance and set aside a fixed amount of time for shopping.


Address: U-dong, Haedundae-gu, Busan
Directions (Gwangalli Beach → Centum City, approx. 36 min): Gwangalli Beach → Walk about 894m to Exit 5 of Gwangan Station → Get on Subway Line 2 at Gwangan Station → Get off at Centum City Station, Exit 6 → Walk about 707m to Centum City.

4:00 PM - Take souvenir photos at Nurimaru APEC House

Designated as Monument No. 46 of Busan, Haeundae Dongbaekseom Island was originally an island and is still referred to as one, but is now connected to the mainland through years of sedimentation. As indicated by its name, the island is richly covered with camellia trees (dongbaek in Korean).

Also located on this island is Nurimaru APEC House, which is a three-story structure, built to be used as a conference hall during the 13th APEC summit meeting, which was held in November 2005. Its exterior is a modernistic expression of a traditional Korean pavilion, and its interior design is a visual display of Korea’s traditional culture. About 30 minutes to an hour should be adequate to look around this place while taking some photos as souvenir. In addition, there is a costal walkway in the vicinity, so visitors can go for a stroll and enjoy the beautiful seascape.


Address: 116, Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Directions (Centum City → Nurimaru APEC House, approx. 29 min): Centum City → Walk about 13m to the SK Telecom Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 307 and get off at Dongbaekseom-ipgu Bus Btop → Walk about 889m to Nurimaru APEC House.
Website: busan.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

5:30 PM - Haeundae Beach & The Bay 101 for dinner

For many Koreans, Haeundae Beach is the first destination that comes to mind when they think of Busan. In fact, it is probably the most widely known beach in the country. High-rise buildings surround this popular vacation spot in downtown Busan and a string of famous hotels stand along the coastline. The most vibrant season of the year at Haeundae is none other than summer! During its peak season, the beach bustles all day and night with young people flocking in from all across the country.

Haeundae Beach is not only great for some summertime splash fun, but also offers fabulous night scenery. Frequented by dating couples at late night hours, The Bay 101 is the new up-and-coming hot spot in Busan. Also a yacht club equipped with a gallery and gourmet restaurants, it is an ideal place to enjoy cultural and leisure activities or to dine with spectacular views. Near the yacht club, an array of street food carts invite visitors to taste fresh seafood while looking out on the night sea.


Address: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (tourist information center)
Directions (Nurimaru APEC House → Haeundae Beach, approx. 9 min): Nurimaru APEC House → Walk about 21m to The Westin Chosun Busan → Walk left for about 80m from the three-way intersection in front of the hotel → Walk about 503m to Haeundae Beach.
Directions (Haeundae Beach → The Bay 101, approx. 11 min): Haeundae Beach → Walk about 100m to Haeundae Pojangmachachon or street food cart clustered area (237-gil, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro) → Turn left for about 474m to the crosswalk → Cross the crosswalk and walk about 83m to the Bay 101.
Website: thebay101.com (Korean only)


Day 3

10:00 AM - Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and lunch

Famous for its magnificent sunrise, Haedong Yonggungsa is a temple where the sun rises first in the country. Unlike most other temples nestled deep in forested mountains, it is situated on the coast, looking almost like a majestic underwater palace. The temple is also repleted with various attractions.

Welcoming visitors at the entrance to the temple grounds are the Sibijisin, otherwise known as the twelve zodiac figures, such as a mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, and etc. Other attractions within the precincts of the temple include Deuknambul, a Buddha statue that is said to grant the birth of a son if you touch its nose and belly and the “108 Longevity Stairs,” which is said to make your life longer every time you climb up and down the steps. On Buddha’s birthday, the temple offers particularly mesmerizing scenes of the colorful lotus lanterns against the ocean scenery.


Address: 86, Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Directions (The Bay 101 → Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, approx. 57 min): The Bay 101 → Walk about 572m to Unchon Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 181 and get off at Yonggungsa•National Fisheries Science Museum Bus Stop → Walk about 971m to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
Website: yongkungsa.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

1:00 PM - Pleasant stroll at Songjeong Beach

Located in Songjeong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Songjeong Beach is relatively quiet compared to Haeundae Beach or Gwangalli Beach. As a result, Songjeong Beach makes for a nice place to enjoy a romantic and leisure stroll. The old Songjeong Station near the beach is also worth a visit. Following up the wall next to the station will get you to the abandoned railroad tracks. A range of interesting artworks cover the tracks, where trains once ran. Take you time to look at the artworks and take pictures against the scenic backdrop. It is also nice to enjoy about an hour’s walk along the railroad tracks.


Address: 62, Songjeonghaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Directions (Haedong Yonggungsa Temple → Songjeong Beach, approx. 29 min): Haedong Yonggungsa Temple → Walk about 938m to Yonggungsa•National Fisheries Science Museum bus stop → Get on Bus No. 181 and get off at Songjeong Beach Bus Stop → Walk about 295m to Songjeong Beach.

3:00 PM - Tea time at Dalmaji-gil Road

Dalmaji-gil, also known as the Montmartre of Busan, is an uphill road extending to Mipo Port and Cheongsapo Port. The road got its name Dalmaji (literally translated as “greeting of the moon”) from the scenic view of the moon over the ocean. It is lined with an array of cozy cafés and restaurants, so you can take your pick to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

The charming neighborhood is not only a great place to spend an afternoon tea time, but also worth a visit at night. The brilliant illuminations from cafés and restaurants add a picturesque feel and present quite a different scene from the day time. Make sure to spend some time at Moontan Road if you happen to come here after dark. You can watch the moon glisten on the sea and take a romantic night stroll along the moonlit forest promenade.


Address: Jwadongsunhwan-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Directions (Songjeong Beach → Dalmaji-gil Road, approx. 41 min): Songjeong Beach → Walk about 295m to Songjeong Beach Bus Stop → Get on Bus No. 100 and get off at the Hyundai Apartment Bus Stop → Walk about 38m to the bus stop → Get on Bus No. 7 and get off at Hillside Super•Dongbaek Art Center Bus Stop → Walk about 530m to Dalmaji-gil Road.

More info
☞ Directions [Seoul → Busan]
Seoul Station → Busan Station (Total travel time: approx. 2 hours 29 minutes to 2 hours 46 minutes)
Seoul (Gyeongbu / Yeongdong) Express Bus Terminal → Busan Jonghap Bus Terminal (Total travel time: approx. 4 hours 15 minutes)
☞ Website: Busan Tourism tour.busan.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)