June 7, 2010
Considered as Korea’s largest port city, I could feel that Busan is making a great great effort to be a key destination in Northeast Asia, both for tourism and business. Busan is a huge metropolis and it is easy for any newcomer to get lost in the city.
A Yacht/Boat Club in Haeundae
If you’re coming to Korea through Busan, you’ll arrive at Gimhae International Airport (PUS). I’ve used this airport for like 6 times already. It’s quite convenient and not very crowded. Taking a bus from the airport might be difficult though. Busan doesn’t have a “city center.” There are a lot of districts within the city called “Gu” such as Sasang Gu. So from the airport, the best thing to do is to prepare 10,000 Won and get a cab to Sasang Station. I am not sure but Sasang is maybe the most easily pronounced subway station closest to the airport. Airport limousine buses also connect to various points in the city for a flat rate of 6000 Won, but I haven’t tried it and if it’s your first time in Korea and you’re not proficient in Korean, it might be difficult for you to try that out. But if you’re really the adventurous type, try it or even consider the public bus at 1000 Won/ride.
A main road in Sasang Gu
Now if you got yourself a cab and you got off at Sasang Subway Station, you may now roam around Busan through subway! Subway ticket costs 1000 won, I assume regardless of any point of transfer and destination. When I was in
Busan, I used a Hanaro re-loadable card, slicing the fare by 100 won. That’s not advisable if you’re staying for less than a week because Seoul is using T-Money, but hey, the Hanaro Card is a souvenir item in itself, 6000 won for a nicely designed one. 
A view from Gimhae International Airport (PUS)
Haeundae Beach, January 2009
Busan is best represented by its two famous beaches – Gwangali Beach and Haeundae Beach. Gwangali Beach is where you could see the Diamond Bridge, also known as Gwangan Bridge. Haeundae Beach is just nearby, actually just a few subway stops away and it is particularly crowded during the summer. Both beaches are lined up with buildings, apartments, bars, hotels and other commercial establishments. The world’s biggest department store, Shinsegae is located in Haeundae Gu.
These two beaches are of course not similar to the ones you see in Southeast Asia. Lots of foreigners prefer to roam around these areas than in other districts in the city. Busan’s biggest events are also usually held in Gwangali and Haeundae, such as the Pusan International Film Festival, every October.
These two beaches are of course not similar to the ones you see in Southeast Asia. Lots of foreigners prefer to roam around these areas than in other districts in the city. Busan’s biggest events are also usually held in Gwangali and Haeundae, such as the Pusan International Film Festival, every October.
Me inside Busan Subway Train
A scene Nampudong Area
Aside from those two, Seomyeon is also among my favorite districts in Busan. The younger local crowds usually flock to Seomyeon for food and drinks during the weekends.
Traveling in Korea can be cheap, especially for those who are willing to give up some convenience and sense of privacy for adventure, cultural immersion and fun. Going to JimJillBang is one activity that no traveler in Korea should miss. JimJillBang is a traditional public sauna, wherein for as low as 7,000 Won, you could pamper yourself in tubs and rooms of different temperatures and get yourself an instant accommodation for a night! This is a good value for money considering that hostels in Korea would usually ask for ₩25000-50000/night. At first, you’ll get culture-shocked! So prepare. It’s quite difficult to look for one because signs are in Korean only.
Perhaps, 2-3 days in Busan is good enough. One may check out Busan Aquarium also in Haeundae Gu, Busan Tower in Nampudong for the panoramic view of the entire city, Taejeongdae for a nice day trip, Cheoryang Dong near the Busan Train Station for the China Town, Russian Town, Pinoy Block and Indian Street and if you know some locals, hike up to the top of Baekyang Mountain, just right at the back of Silla University in Sasang gu.
Try Busan City Tour if you’re short on time which will let you ride a double-decker bus and roam you around to the most interesting places in the city. Pick up zone is in Busan Station. Kids ₩5000, adults ₩10000.
Overall, I like the city’s feel. It isn’t so demanding. It is huge in terms of land area but then again districts are compact enough and subway lines make roaming around very convenient. I have lived in this city for like a year. The weather is bearable all year round. Winter can be very chilly but no snow most of the season.
Traveling in Korea can be cheap, especially for those who are willing to give up some convenience and sense of privacy for adventure, cultural immersion and fun. Going to JimJillBang is one activity that no traveler in Korea should miss. JimJillBang is a traditional public sauna, wherein for as low as 7,000 Won, you could pamper yourself in tubs and rooms of different temperatures and get yourself an instant accommodation for a night! This is a good value for money considering that hostels in Korea would usually ask for ₩25000-50000/night. At first, you’ll get culture-shocked! So prepare. It’s quite difficult to look for one because signs are in Korean only.
Perhaps, 2-3 days in Busan is good enough. One may check out Busan Aquarium also in Haeundae Gu, Busan Tower in Nampudong for the panoramic view of the entire city, Taejeongdae for a nice day trip, Cheoryang Dong near the Busan Train Station for the China Town, Russian Town, Pinoy Block and Indian Street and if you know some locals, hike up to the top of Baekyang Mountain, just right at the back of Silla University in Sasang gu.
Try Busan City Tour if you’re short on time which will let you ride a double-decker bus and roam you around to the most interesting places in the city. Pick up zone is in Busan Station. Kids ₩5000, adults ₩10000.
Overall, I like the city’s feel. It isn’t so demanding. It is huge in terms of land area but then again districts are compact enough and subway lines make roaming around very convenient. I have lived in this city for like a year. The weather is bearable all year round. Winter can be very chilly but no snow most of the season.
In my next visit, I am sure not to miss my personal food cravings: Namyeong Chicken beside Namyeong Apartments and Modum Chuntak Chicken, near Silla University.=)
Photos:
A major road in Nampudong
Decorative masks for sale in Nampudong
Me in a Boat Club in Haeundae
Busan Aquarium
Apartments in Sasang Gu
Sunset at the foothill of Baekyang Mountain, Silla University-Busan
A night out street in Seomyeon
Diamond/Gwangan Bridge as seen from a telescope in Gwangali Beach
Me in Taejeongdae
8 Reactions:
ohhh Busan.. huhuhu.. I want to go there so badly.. *envy*
Nice name J'l! ~~^^
It's cheap to go there via Cebu Pacific. ~~^^
Wow, beautiful..:)
nice pics, you have.this is my first time to know that a traveller could opt to stay overnight in a jimjilbang hahaha. did you do it? very practical, indeed.
@Wendy:
I did... many times... in Seoul especially. Big savings!
Hey. Thanks for writing this entry.
I'm going to Busan this August and this is just what I needed. :)
I have to ask though, do you recommend staying in jimjilbang for 3 consecutive nights?
EJ
Hi EJ!
Wow... how long are you going to stay in Busan?
if you can bear it, go ahead. It's a complete establishment anyway --- bathroom, sauna, toilet, sleeping area, even cafeteria... but once you go out, you can't come back... I mean you have to pay again...
You may also wish to try cheap hostels in Busan... google them or do some CouchSurfing...
Jepoi,
Thanks for the reply.
I'll just be staying for 3 nights. I'm an exchange student in Japan and I'll be stopping by Korea before coming back to the Philippines. I'm bringing a lot of stuff with me so maybe I'll just stay in a hostel. Though I would like to try staying in a Jimjilbang for a night. Are the lockers big enough?
EJ
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