Category: Natural Attractions

Busan City Tour Bus Special Package

Posted in Busan News, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

The other day, I noticed there were a lot of non-Koreans visiting Busan again. I heard a few languages that I didn’t recognize. That is a sign that the pandemic is over.

If anyone plans on doing a city bus tour, there is good news. The Busan Tourism Organization has organized a special tour package, called “부산 지화자 좋다.”

Tour buses will depart from the Busan Train Station and travel to Busan Port Bridge, Gwangalli Beach, Marine City, Songdo Beach, and the Jagalchi Market before returning to the Busan Train Station. The interesting thing about this tour is that passengers will be able to get off and watch special performances at Gwangalli Beach and Songdo Beach.

The tour is expected to take about two and half hours. Tickets cost 22,000 won for adults and 11,000 for children. The fare covers the bus tour, performances, and souvenirs.

The tour is only available every Thursday during the month of June. That means that the tour will run on the 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. If you are interested, visit “citytourbusan.com” to find more information or to make a reservation.

Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach Open on June 1st

Posted in Busan News, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

Starting June 1st, Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach will be open to the public. Of course, Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach are open all year, but now people can swim in the ocean.

There are seven beaches in Busan. They will open on July 1st, including Gwangalli, Dadaepo, Songdo, Imrang, and Ilkwang Beach. Each will install shower facilities, umbrellas, bathrooms, etc.

Haeundae Blueline Park (Sky Capsule Train)

Posted in Entertainment, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

Haeundae Blueline Park is a park that stretches all the way to Songjeong from the Dalmaji area. There is a track that you can walk along, and also a mini train you can hop in. So, if you are interested in this mini train (aka the sky capsule train), keep scrolling!

General Information

Hours: Open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (May, June, and September)

        Open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm (March, April, and October)

        Open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm (July and August)

Location: Mipo Station, Dalmaji-gil 62, Haeundae  

How to Get There

The Blueline Park is located at the end of Haeundae Beach where the 101-story Haeundae LCT is located. If you don’t mind walking, I would recommend traveling from the Haeundae subway station.  

Parking

If you drive there, I recommend you park at Moontan Road public parking lot. The parking lot is only a five minute walk from the Haeundae Blueline Park. Parking costs 300 won for every 10 minutes.

Price

If you visit bluelinepark.com, you can find detailed information about pricing and how to make a reservation. If you travel a route from Mipo to Cheongsapo, the one-way ticket for two people costs 35,000 won, three people costs 45,000 won and 50,000 won for four people.

The maximum number for each car is four people.

What to Expect

  • I highly recommend you make a reservation online prior to your visit. It is almost impossible to find a ticket available on site. As mentioned above, visit bluelinepark.com to make a reservation. Information is available in both Korean and English.
  • If you travel from Mipo (fyi, Mipo is in the Dalmaji area. The bottom entrance to the Dalmaji area near the Haeundae Beach is called “Mipo”) to Cheongsapo, it takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • The sky capsule car comes in four different colors: yellow, green, red and blue. Recently a few cute designs featuring Boogi, the mascot for the World Expo 2030 Busan, have been added.
  • Initially, I wanted to travel from Mipo to Cheongsapo by the sky capsule train and walk back to Mipo along the track, which I think is the best option. However, when I went, the weather was a lot colder than I expected, and I ended up taking the beach train back.
  • The beach train was a good choice, after all. As the beach train accommodates more people, I had no problem finding a ticket. The beach train fare is 7,000 won for adults and 4,900 for children. All the seats face the beach and the auditorium styled seating provided an excellent view. The arch shaped window made the view a bit more special.

When the train got to the Haeundae Beach, many people were wowed by the scene.

  • If you want to walk along the track, you better bring a jacket, as it is sometimes windy.

[This is NOT a sponsored post]

Jagalchi Market

Posted in Historical Locations, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

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]

Busan Private Yacht Tour

Posted in Natural Attractions, Things to do with Kids, TravelLeave a comment

When I have special guests visiting Busan, I like to treat them a private yacht tour. I think it’s one of the best things to do in Busan! It lets you take an hour to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of Busan, while feeling like royalty! So far, I’ve never had any guests say they hated it. Today I will tell you about my experiences on a private yacht tour.

General Information

Yacht tours are becoming more popular in Busan, so you will want to book a tour in advance. The yacht departs from the Suyeong Bay Yachting Center [수영만 요트경기장] and it goes to Gwangalli Beach, passing under the Gwangan Bridge before returning to the Yachting Center. Overall, the tour takes about an hour.  

Private Yacht Tour Prices

Prices may vary between 200,000 won ($200) and 800,000 won ($800), depending on the time of day, the time of the year or the size of the boat. The most popular time to go on a yacht tour is around sunset in summer, making it the most expensive hour.  

How to Make a Reservation

I searched “Busan Yacht Tour” in Korean (부산 요트 투어) in Naver, which is the most used search engine in Korea. I wanted to book a private yacht tour at 6 pm in early November. I contacted several companies, but it turned out that there were not many available options. Some companies either told me that they were fully booked, and others charged $800 for an hour.

However, the company, Busan Yachtmate said that even though they were fully booked at 6 pm, they could offer a tour at 7 pm for 250,000 won (about $250). I quickly booked and paid for the tour online.

If you want to make a reservation, search “Busan Yachtmate.” Or you can direct message them via Instagram (@busan_yachtmate).  

What to Expect

  1. You will be required to wear a life jacket while on the boat: life jackets are provided before you board. They have special life jackets for those under three years old.  
  2. Shoe policy: I’ve been on different yacht tours before, but this was the first one that required the guests to take off their shoes before entering the yacht. There was even a shoe rack available on the pier.
  3. The tour takes an hour. If you get sea sick, please take medicine in advance.
  4. The boat was slightly smaller than I expected, but it featured two decks. The bottom deck had patio chairs and a bathroom. The upper deck was large enough to accommodate 10 people who wanted to enjoy the view.
  5. Personally, I enjoy yacht tours during the day time when the weather is nice, but evening tours are the most popular.

How to Get There

You can walk to the Suyeong Bay Yachting Center from the Marine City area.

If you drive, you can park at the Suyeong Bay Yachting Center for free. If you use public transportation, take the subway line #2 and get off at DongBaek Station [동백역]. The yachting center is about a 10 minute walk from the subway station.

Conclusion

I 100% recommend going on a yacht tour while you are in Busan.

[This is NOT a sponsored post]

Songdo Cable Car Review

Posted in Entertainment, Natural Attractions, Things to do with Kids, TravelLeave a comment

I have lived in Busan for a long time, but just recently, I visited Songdo Beach for the first time. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations for the Songdo area. However, I ended up loving this place so much. It felt calmer than other popular beaches in Busan, it had a nearby suspension bridge, walking paths around the cliffs and lots of cafes and restaurants to try. The view of Busan and Songdo Beach from the cable car was wonderful, too. I recommend you check this place out!

Anyways, let me share a little but about what it was like on the Songdo cable car.

General Information

Hours 9 am–9 pm daily

Location Songdo Haebyun-ro 171, Seo-gu, Busan

How to Get There Songdo Beach is a lot closer than you might think. You can get there by crossing two bridges (Gwangan Bridge & Busan Port Bridge). If you use public transportation, take bus number 1011 at Bexco Station and get off at Songdo Entrance (송도입구). It is about an hour commute.

Parking Free one-hour parking is available during the week and free two-hour parking is available on the weekend.

In addition, there are two public parking lots nearby. One parking lot is called the “Namhang Parking Lot (남항주차장)” and the other is the “Songnim Parking Lot (송림 주차장).” The price for parking is 300 won for 10 minutes on weekdays and 500 won for 10 mins on the weekend.

Price As you can see, it costs 20,000 won to ride the “crystal.” I thought that was a reasonable price, but if a family of five rides it together, you could end up spending nearly 100 US dollars for a ten-minute ride. (Admission is free for babies under 36 months)

What to Expect

There are two different types of cable cars that can take you to the other side of Songdo Beach (which is Anmam Park).

The first car is called “air,” while the second one is called “crystal.” The difference between the two is the floor. The “air” car has a metal floor, and you can’t see the ocean under your feet. The “crystal” car has a glass bottom, which enables you to see the ocean below you.

I took the “crystal” car when I visited, and the ride lasted about 10 minutes. It was a short, but a nice ride with a wonderful view. Halfway through my ride, the car stopped right above the ocean due to a regular maintenance check. I was a bit surprised when it happened, but things quickly went back to normal.

When you get to the other side, you can walk around Anman Park before heading back. There is also a small dinosaur park nearby for kids to enjoy.

The cars can hold up to eight people at a time, but I was lucky enough to ride with just my friend. The attraction would have been too busy for us to have our own car on the weekend. I highly recommend visiting on a weekday.

[This is NOT a sponsored post]

Beomeosa Temple

Posted in Historical Locations, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

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

Posted in Cafes & Restaurants, Historical Locations, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

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]

Haedong Yonggung Temple

Posted in Historical Locations, Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

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.

Top 4 Best Beaches in Busan

Posted in Natural Attractions, TravelLeave a comment

Okay, I am not going to lie when I tell you that Busan doesn’t rank the highest when it comes to the most beautiful cities in the world. However, Busan is still one of the most visited cities in South Korea, being a host to a wide range of tourist attractions with one of the most popular options being a trip to the beaches.

There are seven beautiful beaches across Busan: Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songjeong Beach, Songdo Beach, Dadaepo Beach, Ilgwang Beach and Imrang Beach.

In this post, I will take you with me to 4 of my favorite Busan’s beaches so that you can find one that suits you best for your next visit.

So, here they are.

1. Haeundae Beach 해운대 해수욕장

Haeundae Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Korea, attracting numerous visitors every summer. Would you believe me if I say over 10 million visitors come to Haeundae each summer?

There are many five-star oceanfront hotels in Haeundae.

The main beach area is in front of the Grand Josun Hotel and Paradise Hotel. This is a popular spot for swimmers and sunbathers.

The southern side of the beach in front of the Josun Beach Hotel is a perfect spot for picnic.

Guess what. You can even order food on the sand and have it delivered to you.

Many festivals and events take place in Haeundae throughout the year, including the Polar Bear Swim Festival, Sand Festival, Haeundae Light Festival, Holi Festival and many more.

If you want a little more than just sea and sand, you can check out Dongbaek Island, home to one of Busan’s best coastal walking paths. While on this 40 minute walk, you will be able to enjoy the spectacular views of Marine City and Gwangan Bridge.

Other activities in Haeundae include yachting and eating at the many cafes and restaurants nearby.

How to get there: Take the subway line 2, and get off at Haeundae Station. Use exit 3/5. From there the beach is a 5 minute walk away.

2. Gwangalli Beach 광안리 해수욕장

In addition to Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach is also one of Busan’s most famous beaches.

Opinions are divided on which one is better, but I am not going to choose one over the other.

It could be just me, but Gwangalli feels younger. Being closer to the city, Gwangalli Beach is great for couples.

You won’t get bored here; there are plenty of attractions to keep you busy the whole day.

There are delicious places to eat, from cafes, hipster pubs to fine dining restaurants with priceless views.

People-watching here is always fun, because Gwangalli remains packed with locals, tourists and backpackers.

The view of Gwangan Bridge is fabulous and the Drone Light Show is something that you don’t want to miss.

If you want a little exercise out of the water, you can even ride a jet ski!

How to get there: Take the subway line 2 and get off at Gwangan Station. Use the exit 3 or 5. Then a quick 5 minute walk from the station.

3. Dadaepo Beach 다대포 해수욕장

Daedaepo Beach is a relatively quiet beach, but it turns out that Dadaepo Beach was the most googled beach this summer (2022), because of the movie, Broker, in which one of the lead actors won the Best Actor Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Dadaepo Beach’s beautiful sunset that was depicted in the movie attracted many eager fans to the sand.

K-drama Kingdom was also filmed at Dadaepo.

Another reason why Dadaepo Beach is so well-known for its sunset is because it’s one of very few west-facing beaches in Busan.

You can also see many airplanes taking off and landing nearby due to the Gimhae International Airport being right around the corner.

How to get there: Take the subway line 1 and get off at Dadaepo Beach Station. Use the exit 1 or 4. Then just a 5-10 minute walk to the beach from there

4. Songjeong Beach 송정 해수욕장

If you are looking for a relatively quiet beach experience near Haeundae, head to Songjeong, one of the most beautiful beaches north of Busan.

Here, you can learn how to surf year-round at some surfing schools near shore.

Songjeong Beach is good for beginner surfers, especially, because swells are usually consistent.

How to get there: Use bus 139, 182, 200, 38, 39, 40, 63, 1001, 1003, or 1011 and get off at Songjeong Stop.