12 Reasons Why You Should Visit Busan

From beautiful beaches and succulent seafood to traditional markets and mural villages, there are a number of reasons to visit Busan, South Korea’s second biggest city. Here are 12 of them.

Traditional market culture is alive and well

Despite the proliferation of squeaky-clean supermarkets and luxurious department stores, Busan’s traditional market culture continues to thrive. From Gukje Market, which was established in the 1950s as a place for Korean War refugees to sell second-hand items, to the bustling Jagalchi Market, which offers every kind of seafood imaginable, there’s a market for just about everything.

Hiking opportunities are plentiful

Busan offers some fantastic hiking, with accessible trails available for every fitness level. Jangsan Mountain, for example, offers spectacular ocean views and boasts silver grass fields that are particularly beautiful in the autumn. Geumnyeongsan Mountain, meanwhile, is a less crowded trail that makes for an easy and enjoyable morning trek.

Busan’s best regional specialty is cheap and ubiquitous

A trip to Busan wouldn’t be complete without sampling dwaeji gukbap, a tasty, hearty soup. Its milky broth is made by boiling pork bone for hours; pork shank, soy sauce, miso, and sesame oil are then added to enhance the flavors. Despite the labor put into the dish, it’s incredibly cheap, at around ₩4,000 won ($3.50 USD) a bowl.

Seaside dining is a thing

One experience not to be missed in Busan is eating jogae gui at a seaside restaurant. The aromas of freshly caught shellfish being grilled slowly over an open flame will certainly get your appetite going. Once they are ready, mix the grilled shellfish into a sauce of melted butter and onions, and add a bit of soy sauce before tucking in. Mmm, mmmmm.

Beaches, beaches, beaches

Busan is home to some of Korea’s most popular beaches. During the warmer months, Haeundae Beach comes to life, populated with families, couples and English teachers seeking a bit of sand and sun. The annual Haeundae Sand Festival, a display of impressive sand carvings created by sand artists from all corners of the globe, attracts tourists and locals alike. Songjeong Beach, meanwhile, is a bit more off the beaten path, providing uninterrupted peace and quiet.

It’s home to Asia’s biggest film festival

Sometimes referred to as the Cannes of Asia, the annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held every October is one of the most significant film festivals on the continent. Attracting the film industry’s leading talent from all over the world, it is truly a star-studded event.