Rupali Teresa Kujur, Jharkhand, Ranchi

Located at the southern-most tip of the Korean peninsula, the bustling city of Busan offers a beautiful coastline, delicious seafood, scenic trails, humungous mountains, relaxing hot springs, and enticing beaches. Busan not only has the largest seaport in Korea, but is also the second largest city. It has 4 distinctive seasons– Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, and is frequently visited by tourists throughout the year. Being a coastal city, Busan is renowned for its seafood and one cannot miss out on Korea’s largest fish market called Jagalchi Market. One can choose to eat from a wide variety of seafood, ranging from Ganjang Gejang (raw soy sauce crabs) to Saengseonhwe (Korean-style sashimi), and Jangeo-gui (grilled eel), Godeungeogui (grilled mackerel) to Agujjim (spicy braised monkfish).

Here are my Top 5 favourite destination spots in Busan:

Busan Cinema Center

Busan Cinema Center is the official venue for the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia’s largest annual film festivals. It is responsible for hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival. It houses an LED roof, which is 2.5 times the size of a football field. Various art houses, cinemas, concerts, musicals, and lectures are held here throughout the year. If you are a cinephile, attending BIFF should be on your to-do list. The 26th BIFF has scheduled to be held from 5-14 October this year.

ADDRESS: 120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan

Shinsegae Centum City

Located approximately 760 meters from BIFF, Shinsegae Centum City has been a Guinness World Records holder as the largest shopping complex in the world since 2009. It provides a variety of entertainment options. For instance, an ice skating rink, Trinity Sports Club and Spa Land, golf range, Shinsegae Cultural Hall, movie theatre, etc. The food courts at Shinsegae Centum City are packed with Korean and Japanese specialties that are among the best in Busan. A highly recommended place for all the shopaholics and even for people who are out there only to have fun. There is no harm in visiting a Guinness World Records holder shopping complex, right?

ADDRESS: 35, Centumnam-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan

Haeundae Beach

Located amidst tall skyscrapers and hotels, Haeundae Beach is the most famous beach in Busan. One can witness the entire beach being filled with vacationers during the summers. A paradise for beach lovers, roughly 1.5 kilometers long, over a 30 to 50-meter wide area, has a beautiful coastline, which makes swimming even more enjoyable. Two main festivals which shouldn’t be missed here are Haeundae Light Festival (December-January) and Haeundae Sand Festival (late May).

ADDRESS: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan

Sea Life Busan Aquarium

Previously known as Busan Aquarium, the Sea Life Busan Aquarium is a heaven for sea life enthusiasts. With over 250 species and 35,000 marine animals on display, it is one of the best aquariums in South Korea and is situated within walking distance from the Haeundae Beach. There are different zones for visitors to choose from such as Underwater Artist Zone, Sea at Night, Bingo Zone, Fashion Zone, etc. People who want to closely experience sea life can watch the otters, sharks, stingrays, and penguins being fed.

ADDRESS: 266 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Jung-dong, Haeundae, Busan

Gamcheon Culture Village

The last but not least place to visit in Busan is this colourful and vibrant cultural village, with steep staircases, pastel-coloured houses, maze-like alleys, and beautiful murals. This village was not always an artistic paradise. In the 1950s, it started as a residence for the Korean War refugees, but slowly and steadily it earned a new name: ‘Machu Pichu of Busan’. To support the local businesses out there, tourists visit the quirky cafes and restaurants and buy handicrafts and accessories at souvenir shops. If you want to capture some Instagram-worthy photos, Gamcheon Culture Village is your destination. The great thing about this vibrant destination is that it does not require any entrance fees.

ADDRESS: 203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan

Since it is quite convenient and easy to travel to Busan from Seoul, many tourists visit there for a day trip. The distance between these two cities is about 325 kilometers. This distance can effortlessly be covered in less than 3 hours 30 minutes by traveling via KTX (Korea Train Express) which saves time and you can visit more destinations.

So, what are some of your favourite places to visit in Busan? Which place do you want to go to the most? Let us know all of your Busan stories in the comment section below!