▲Busan, South Korea is located in the country's southeast region. It’s 280 miles (450 km) from the country's capital, Seoul, and only 155 miles (250 km) away from Shimonoseki, Japan.

▲The city's official name causes some confusion. "Pusan" was the official name until July 7, 2000, when the Korean language was changed. From that day forward, the official name became "Busan."

▲Koreans have lived in this city since the Neolithic era. During the Joseon dynasty, in the middle of the 14th century, Busan became a base for the diplomatic representative to Japan.

▲In the middle of the 20th century, when the Korean War began, Busan was the temporary capital during wartime.

▲Want to visit Busan? Grab a KTX train ticket from Seoul Station. If you're a zombie flick fan, watch 'Train to Busan' while on your three-hour train journey to your next favorite city.

▲But if you're planning to visit Busan by plane, you can go through Gimhae International Airport. Public transportation from there is a breeze!

▲There's one unified public transportation card in Busan, called Cashbee. However, if you already have the one from Seoul, T-money, you can use that card in Busan as well.

▲Pictured is Busan Tower, the city's landmark, located in the heart of Busan. But there's plenty of other sites to see. Check out the following five unique trip options.

▲Gamcheon Culture Village was built in the '50s when the Korean War was going on. Nowadays, the village is known for its vibrant colors and artistic murals.

▲If you're going to visit this hilly village with amazing views, it's best to take a bus to the start of the village. You can catch several buses from Jagalchi Station (Sa-ha no. 1, no. 1-1 / Seo-gu no. 2, no. 2-2).

▲After your fairy-tale trip to Gamcheon Culture Village, come back to the city center. Near Nampo Station and Yongdusan Park there are plenty of things to enjoy, including shops, restaurants, and traditional performances.

▲The true spirit of the city is found in Jagalchi Fish Market. This is the place to meet locals. Don't forget to try the fresh raw seasonal fish and spicy fish soup.

▲Stop by Oncheonjang Station and check out nearby historical hot springs. A must see!

▲

Try a walk around Geumjeongsanseong, a 10.5-mile (17-km) long mountain fortress built from 1701 to 1703.

▲Beomeosa is thought to have opened in 678 BCE. This Buddhist temple is highly recommended for observing autumn colors. To get there, take metro line 1 and get off at Beomeosa Station. From exit 5 or 7, you can catch bus no. 60 to your final destination.

▲

Have you ever heard of BIFF, the Busan International Film Festival? Sounds fun, right? But just before you go, why not check out nearby Haedong Yonggung—yet another beautiful Buddhist temple. Take bus no. 1003 from Busan train station to Songjeong Beach. Then, transfer to bus no. 181.

▲Embracing the vital force of the ocean and visit one of the most popular beaches in South Korea: Haeundae.

▲Every year in early October, the city hosts the Busan International Film Festival at Busan Cinema Center.

▲View future BIFF programming and purchase tickets.

▲Discover the modern beauty of Busan in the Centum City neighborhood. There you can find the biggest department store in all of Asia.

▲After you've finished with your daily plans, head to Hwangnyeongsan Mountain. Get to Mulmangol Station and then grab a taxi, because these great views have to be taken in by car.

▲If you get tired of the busy lights of the city, turn to the suburbs. Go to Dadaepo, where the Nakdonggang river meets the Namhae sea.

▲It's best to rent a car for your trip to Geojedo Island. Take the Geogadaegyo, a 5-mile (8-km) bridge connecting Busan to the island. This bridge has an undersea immersed tube tunnel that's the deepest in the world (157 ft/48 m in depth).

▲Geojedo Island is the second-largest island in South Korea after Jeju Island. Must-see attractions include its pebble beach, and the Hill of Wind.

▲When spring arrives, expect to see various gorgeous seasonal flowers during this day trip. Catch Busan metro line 3, or rent a car to Gangseo-gu Office Station.

▲Next, look around the city of Gimhae. This historical city was once a capital of the ancient Gaya dynasty. The city is full of archaeological sites and museums.

▲If this is your first visit to South Korea, check out this traditional Korean housing experience center (Gimhae Hanok). Reasonably priced, you can stay one night and try classic Korean food while dressed in traditional attire.

▲This is the best cherry blossom sightseeing point in South Korea. Roughly one hour from Gimhae, you can visit naval base city Jinhae for these amazing views. But since it's the most popular place to appreciate the country's cherry blossoms, it can be crowded. Still, it's definitely worth the visit.

▲

Koreans consider Busan the capital of Korean baseball. Join local fans and feel their enthusiasm!

▲

Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, was voted one of Asia’s best destinations by Lonely Planet. Prior to this, Busan had already been slowly receiving attention from all over the world following the 2016 movie 'Train to Busan.' But what's the true story of the city of Busan?

Let’s discover this relatively unknown gem of South Korea. From the history of the city to five different trips you can take there, check out this gallery to get the real info on Busan.

Busan, South Korea is your next dynamic destination

Time to consider a train ride to Busan!

11/10/24 por StarsInsider

TRAVEL Busan

Let’s discover this relatively unknown gem of South Korea. From the history of the city to five different trips you can take there, check out this gallery to get the real info on Busan.