Category: Historical Locations

Taejongdae Danubee Bus Extends Operation by Two Hours

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What is the name of the flower that blooms in late March and early April? It is a cherry blossom.

Do you have any idea what flower blooms during this time of the year? A Hydrangea!

Hydrangeas do not look as dramatic as cherry blossoms, but they are just as beautiful. They bloom in late May and stay in blossom until the end of the month.

Taejongdae Island is where a lot of people go to enjoy the blossoming hydrangeas. There is a well-known pink house that is THE spot to take pictures on the island.

Taejongdae Island has a Danubee bus that helps take people around the large island. For those who visit the island during the hydrangea season, Danubee bus will be operated for an extra two hours, so until 8 pm. Besides the pink house, Beopyungsa Temple is a beautiful place to see the hydrangeas.

You can also enjoy the hydrangea flowers at the Songnim Park near the Westin Josun Hotel.

The Special Photo Exhibition at the Bokcheon Museum

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I would like to tell you about the special photo exhibition taking place at the Bokcheon Museum. This photo exhibition titled, “Memory of Busan,” is now showcasing photos of Busan’s history over the past 100 years (100년전, 부산의 단편).

What is special about this photo exhibition is that you can check out a lot of photos taken by Japanese researchers from the colonial era. Back then, it was said that Japanese researchers tried to leave some records and documents of various parts of Korea as part of the “Joseon Historic Site Investigation Project.” These were important documents that they developed into photos on glass dry plates.

Surprisingly, some 38,000 of these photos were kept by the National Museum of Korea. Some were even carefully selected to be displayed at the Bokcheon Museum.

Fyi, the photo exhibition started this week and will last until June 18th.

Speaking of the Bokcheon Museum, I admit that it is not one of the most well-known museums in Busan. I am sure that a lot of citizens are not aware of this museum, either. However, it is well worth the visit.

For example, even though it is in the middle of Dongnae city, it stretches from the Chungyeol Temple all the way to the Dongnae Fortress (동래읍성). It is so beautiful that you might think to yourself, “am I in Busan?”

There is even a tomb which is believed to contain someone of great power back in the 6th century.

If you are interested, please visit museum.busan.go.kr/bokcheon. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm every day except for Mondays and admission is free.

Jagalchi Market

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Jagalchi Market (Jagalchi Fish Market / 자갈치 시장)

Jalgalchi Market is one of the biggest and the most well-known fish markets here in Korea.

Though I am Korean living in Busan, I still think that Jagalchi Fish Market is very touristy, exotic and different.

General Information

History: Jagalchi combines two words, jagal meaning gravel and chi meaning a place. Geographically speaking, South Korea is surrounded by water, making fish a staple dish.

After the Korean War ended, vendors reportedly gathered on this graveled area and started selling fish. The men went fishing and the women sold their catch. This is believed to be the beginning of Jagalchi Market.

Location: Jagalchi Haean-ro 52, Jung-gu District, Busan

Hours: 5 am to 10 pm (closed on the first and third Tuesday of each month).

Parking: Parking is available for 700 won per 10 mins in the basement of the building called “Busan Jagalchi Market.”

What to Expect

1.Fresh Fish: You can find a variety of fish products including raw, dried, fried, cooked, and fermented catch. If you wish to purchase fresh fish, you can check out the vendors located inside the market. The name of one of these buildings is Jagalchi, and the other is called Shindonga (신동아). Most vendors also run a restaurant near their shop if you are just interested in sampling their seafood.

Personally, I thought that the inside of Jalgalchi market was very clean and did not smell.

2. Tough Ajummas: It was challenging dealing with these ajummas (ladies in her 40s, 50s or above). After you enter the building, these ladies would shout at you to buy their fish! Since I hate bargaining, I decided to just go to a regular restaurant in the market that specialized in raw fish.

The restaurant I visited was called Namhae Hoit-jib (남해 횟집), meaning Namhae raw fish. I ordered “모듬회 (assorted sliced raw fish),” and two “생선구이 정식 1인s (grilled fish meal For 1 person).” Their prices ranged from 10,000 to 90,000 won.

Like a typical Korean restaurant, a variety of side dishes (aka Banchans) were provided. At the end of the meal, “매운탕” (meaning spicy fish stew) was also provided for free.

How to Get There

Jagalchi Market is very close to the Nampo Subway Station, Line #1. Use 2nd exit and walk about 5 minutes.

Conclusion

Jagalchi Fish Market is more than just a fish market to many people in Busan. So, I recommend checking this place out, even if you are not a fan of seafood.

[This is NOT a sponsored post]

Beomeosa Temple

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The leaves will soon begin changing their colors, so plan a hike before the beautiful leaves fall! I recommend checking out Beomeosa Temple [범어사].

1. General Information

It is one of the biggest temples in Busan and the Kyoungsang Province regions. It has also been named one of Korea’s Great 5 Temples. Beomeosa written in a Chinese Character, that can be translated to “Shining fish.”

Location: It is located on the Geumjeong Mountain, which is one of the most famous mountains in Busan. This address is: 250, Beomeosa, Geumjeong-gu, Busan.

Open: Open all year round

Entrance: Free *You must pay a 3,000 won parking fee to park on the property.

2. The History of Beomeosa Temple

Beomeosa Temple was reportedly built in 678 by King Munmu of Silla Dynasty. However, the temple was destroyed in a fire in 1592 during the Japanese invasion of Korea during the Imjin War. It was later rebuilt in 1613 and is still standing to this day.

3. What to expect

Beomosa Temple has many beautiful walking trails where you can take memorable photos.

Beomeosa also offers many programs for visitors to attend in order to experience the culture. That includes “Temple-stay.” If you are interested, visit their website: http://www.beomeo.kr. Information on the website in available in either English or Korean. Make your reservation today!

When I visited, it was still about 30 degrees Celsius. Some people were even dipping their feet into the water next to the temple. This is a popular place to go hiking in the spring and autumn.

4. How to get here

Get off at Beomosa Subway Station. Near the Beomosa Subway Station, ride bus number 90. Bus number 90 comes every 20 minutes, and it goes all the way up to Beomeosa Temple.

Huinnyeoul Cultural Village

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The weather has been perfect recently. So this time let me introduce you to the “Huinnyeoul Culture Village (흰여울 문화마을),” located all the way in the Yeongdo-gu district!

General Information

Huinnyeoul Cultural Village is a cliff-side village located on the Yeongdo Island to the West of Busan.

Upon first glance, Huinnyeoul Cultural Village resembles the Greek village of Santorini, with its vintage and colorful buildings facing the ocean.

The History of Huinnyeoul Cultural Village

During the Korean War, thousands of refugees escaped and made the Huinnyeoul Cultural Village in Busan their home.

However, for a long time, this area was abandoned. It is said that the village didn’t even have a proper address until 2014, when the national address system changed and each street got its own name. The name of this area was randomly chosen to be “Huinnyeoul.”

By this time, many Korean movies and TV shows were being filmed in this area, some including “Nameless Gangster: Rules of Time,” “The Attorney,” “Infinity Challenge,” etc. This caused more tourists to flock to the area and more cafes and restaurants started popping up.

Taejongdae used to be ranked the best tourist spot in Yeongdo, but it has since been replaced by Huinnyeoul Cultural Village.

What to Do  

  • Try delicious food: my choice was ramen with this view. (yum!)
  • Visit film shoot locations: as I’ve mentioned, Huinnyeoul Cultural Village was featured in a number of popular K-movies and TV shows. Movie fans will love wandering the streets where their favorite characters once tread.
  • Shop in Huinnyeoul Cultural Village: there are many craft shops to explore.
  • Take memorable photos: this seaside tunnel is a very instagrammable location.

What to Expect

One thing to note about Huinnyeoul Cultural Village is that it’s built on a steep slope and will involve walking up lots of steps. So, I recommend you wear comfortable shoes. If you are traveling with a baby, I would advise leaving your stroller at home.

How to Get Here

If you drive a car, be aware that parking spots are pretty limited in Huinnyeoul Cultural Village.

There are some cafes that allow you to use their parking services for two hours. My recommendation is using one of these cafes for two hours after making a purchase. (I visited “Shingi-Yeoul 신기여울“).

Unfortunately, the subway doesn’t go to the Yeongdo-gu district, which means the bus transportation is pretty much the only means to get around.

Take the bus No 1006 at Bexco. Get off at “Huinnyeoul Cultural Village.”

[This is NOT a sponsored post]

Yeongdo Jonaegi Sweet Potato History Museum

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It’s September already, and soon it will be starting to feel like autumn. There is a Korean expression that describes the season of autumn.

It is “Chun-go-ma-bi (천고마비)”. People say, “it is the time of Chun-go-ma-bi.” Have you heard this expression before, and can you guess its meaning?

Chun – Sky

Go – High

Ma – Horse

Bi – Fat

It literally translates to, “the sky is high while the horse gains weight.” Simply put, it means “autumn is a good season to go outside and eat!” Since autumn is the season of harvesting goods, there is a lot of good food to enjoy.

By the way, did you know that there is a sweet potato history museum in Busan? Well, there is! So let me tell you about the history of how sweet potatoes came to Busan.

Yeongdo Jonaegi Sweet Potato History Museum

It goes back to 1764 during the reign of King Yeongjo (영조) of the Korean Joseon Dynasty.

King Yeongjo

Joseon Tongsinsas were then diplomatic envoys sent to Japan at the request of Japanese officials.

This group was made up of diplomats, scholars, artists, and doctors. The group toured Japan – from Tsuhima Island all the way to Edo, which is today’s Tokyo. According to records, one group of Joseon Tongsinsa consisted of around 450 people, and they were all well-liked by their neighbors.

They were like the rock start we have today as they set international trends. Because of them, hundreds of horses, art pieces, stationery, books, and agriculture products were brought to Japan. In return, they we able to bring sweet potatoes from Japan.

Joseon Tongsinsa

During the 40th year of King Yeongjo’s rule, King Yeongjo sent a diplomatic mission to Japan. Jo Eum (조엄) was the chief envoy over the mission. According to reports, 477 people traveled with him. Jo eum soon found sweet potatoes in the northern parts of the Tsushima Island. He loved the taste of them and thought that if Joseon people could grow sweet potatoes in their backyard, they would not have to worry about having enough food to eat.

So, he had one of his officials named Lee Unghyuk (이응혁) carry a few sweet potato slips back with him. (Did you know that sweet potatoes do not have seeds like most other vegetables. Instead, they produce something called a slip, which can be planted like a seed!) However, Lee failed to keep the slips from rotting on his way back home.

Meanwhile, the Dongrae (동래) city official, Kang Pilly (강필리) found out that Jo had discovered

sweet potatoes in the northern parts of the Tsushima Island and that the sweet potato slips carried by Lee could not be replanted. He could not wait to grow and enjoy his own sweet potatoes. He had people go and retrieve more slips from Tsushima Island. This time the slips made it back to Busan without any issues.

The first sweet potatoes were planted in the Yeongdo-gu district of Busan in the spring of 1765 in the Naegi area. To remember Jo’s effort in bringing sweet potatoes to Korea, Kang decided to put his last name “Jo” before “Naegi.” That is how the sweet potatoes were named “Jonaegi sweet potatoes.” People believed that sweet potatoes grown in that area tasted the best. That’s why Jonaegi sweet potatoes are still the most popular sweet potatoes in supermarkets in Korea.

Meanwhile, the Dongrae city official named Kang spent a lot of time researching sweet potatoes.

He even published his research in a book. The title of the book was “Gamjeobo (감저보).” Sweet potatoes are now called Goguma (고구마), but back then, they used to be called Gamjeo (감저). Interestingly, potatoes are called Gamja in Korean. So, when sweet potatoes were first brought to Korea, people probably named the sweet potatoes Gamjeo by changing one vowel in the word Gamja.

Anyways, thanks to Kang’s book, people from different regions have started to grow sweet potatoes.

So check out the Jonaegi Sweet Potato History Museum located in Yeongdo to find more information. There is also a café that serves sweet potato inspired drinks and baked goods. My favorite is the homemade soy milk served in a kettle! Twice a month, a cooking class is held for kids to join.

Address: Cherry Blossom Road 75, Yeongdo-gu, Busan

Hours: 10 am to 6 pm (Closed on Mondays and national holidays)

Admission: Free

How to get there: Take bus 101 at Busan Train Station. Get off at Yeongdo Bridge. Transfer to village bus number 7 at 청학 [Cheonghak] gas station and then get off at 동조 Dongjo Regency. (You will climb one of the steepest hills on your way to the museum! )

Haedong Yonggung Temple

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The summer is truly flying by! At first, it felt like summer would never end, but here we are getting ready to start the month of September and back to school season. The good news is that autumn is a great season for a variety of outdoor activities. So, my recommendation for today is that you check out the Haedong Yonggung Temple [해동용궁사]!

General Information

If I directly translate Haedong Yonggung Temple, it would be “Ocean Dragon Palace Temple.” This name suits the temple very nicely. The vibe at Haedong Yonggung Temple differs from any other temple. While most are located in the mountains, Haedong Yonggung is positioned right next to the ocean. This is one of the many reasons why Haedong Yonggung Temple is always flooded with people.

Location: Yonggung-gil (Yonggung Rd) 86, Gijang

Open: From 5 am until sunset (6:30ish)

Admission: It is free to enter the temple, but you must pay to park your car.

The prices for parking are as follows: 2,000 won (first 30 mins), 500 won (per extra 10 mins) and 20,000 won (daily maximum)

The History of Haedong Yonggung Temple

It is believed to have been first built in 1376 by King Gongmin. It was later destroyed during a Japanese invasion in 1952. The temple was then rebuilt in 1930 by Monk Un-Kang of the Tongdo Temple. In 1974, the Haedong Yonggung Temple was named by a monk named Jeongam. It is said that Jeongam chose the name after he dreamed of a flying dragon.

What to expect

On the way to the temple, you will pass several cafes, souvenir shops, and 12 different stone zodiac statues. Many people take pictures next to their zodiac animals there.

After entering, you will walk down 108 stairs. This number refers to spiritual completion in Buddhism.

The statue is called “득남불.” Many believe that this statue is able to help those who have had a hard time conceiving. The three little statues are called “학업성취불” and they are supposed to help students pass an exam.

Many people toss coins over the bridge at the entrance as a way of bringing them good luck. The bridge is also a great place to take a quick picture. Nearby, there is a beautiful bamboo forest that brings a relaxing feeling to the area.

The statue is called “굴법당. This stone statue is 10 meters tall and is said to be the biggest stone statue in Korea.

How to get here

From Bexco, you can take the bus No. 181 or 1001 and get off at the Yonggung Temple/ National Maritime Science Center Stop.

What else can you do?

*Lotte Premium Outlet Dong-Busan sells many big names for an affordable price.

*Skyline Luge People of all ages can enjoy the activities here!

*Gijang Children’s Museum If you travel with kids, check out the Gijang Children’s Museum. There are so many different things that your kids can explore while visiting.

*Ananti Hilton Busan This is a 5-star hotel located very close to the temple. Even if you don’t stay here, there is a small town on the hotel property where you can shop and dine.

The History of Jeombachi Alley

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Today, I would like to tell you about a small town in Busan that used to be bustling with fortune tellers.

Btw, have you ever been to see a fortune teller? My friends and I visited one once in our early 20s after graduating from university and starting our first jobs.

You know… everyone worries about something while in their 20s… My friends and I were no exception. We were worried about our futures and felt that we needed guidance on some of the more important choices we would have to make.

So, another one of my friends told us about an older lady who was the best fortune-teller in Busan.

More than ten years have passed since my last visit and believe it or not, most of her predictions were fairly accurate. The fortune-teller said that I would have many chances to speak in front of large crowds, which is true now that I have worked for a radio station. I don’t know if everything happened by coincidence but visiting a fortune teller was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Let me get back on topic…

There used be a town in Busan filled with fortune tellers.

The town was located under the Yeongdo Bridge and used to be called “점바치 골목 or Jeombachi Alley.”

Any ideas what Jeombachi (점바치) means?

Korean for “a fortune teller” is 점쟁이 [Jeom-jang-ee]. People in Busan speak with a Busan dialect. Speaking with a Busan dialect, “점쟁이” was “Jeombachi”. (But personally, I’ve never heard anybody say “Jeombachi”.)

Do you know what the Yeongdo Bridge meant to Koreans during the Korean War?

Busan was one of the only cities not captured during the Korean War, so millions of refugees gathered here for safety. Back then, the Yeongdo Bridge was a very important place, because it was where many refugees promised to reunite with their loved ones.

So, why do you think people visit fortune tellers?

People visit fortune tellers for many reasons, but most commonly because they need guidance through a dilemma.

After the Korean War ended, people struggled to survive. They were faced with the uncertainty of the future. So they visited Jeombachi Alley.

The fortune tellers there provided them with a peace of mind. Then, by having their futures predicted via their star, palm, Saju (사주), or by cards, it gave them a sense of security.

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, there were more than 50 fortune teller shops in “Jeombachi Alley”.

When refugees visited a fortune teller, they asked things like, “where and when can I find my sister, Mija?” or “Should I continue living in Busan?”

But now, Jeombachi Alley doesn’t exist anymore.

So why are there very few fortune tellers left?

Some fortune tellers have died of old age or have been asked to stop their practice.

Due to a redevelopment plan, the remaining fortune tellers, who had spent 40 to 50 years of their lives under the bridge, were asked to move out. It was in 2013 when the last fortune teller left the area.

Instead, new cafes, bakeries and restaurants have been built in their absence.

But many people raised their voices in support of Jeombachi Alley, because it’s intangible cultural heritage.

The City of Busan planned to move “Jeombachi Alley” to Eurari (유라리) Square, a small square located next to the Lotte Department Store in Gwangbok-dong.

So, in 2016, the government called upon a few fortune tellers who were interested in starting a fortune-telling business in Eurari Square, but some vendors who already worked at the square protested these plans. They did not want to share the space with the fortune tellers.

In the end, Jeombachi Alley simply disappeared.