Busan (부산, 釜山; formerly romanized as Pusan) is a large port city located in the south-eastern province of South Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is the country's second city with beautiful beaches, mountains, spas, and renowned seafood. Busan has become a key tourist destination, especially during the summer when the beaches are packed end to end.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Located at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula and with over 3.6 million people, Busan is South Korea's second largest city. It is known for its beaches, seafood, and events such as the city's international film festival and the yearly polar bear festival. It appeals to those seeking a more laid-back atmosphere than Seoul. It has an international flair, with sailors from around the world trooping through, and a growing number of tourists. The Haeundae area of Busan that contains a large amount of the city's attractions is described in a separate article. Busan has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Snow is rare.
You can buy Cashbee card at subway stations and convenience stores. Other cards like T-money, and Railplus are also accepted in the city. Some convenience stores also allow you to recharge a card, although not all card types are accepted, Using the transportation card will save you money compared to paying cash. See the sections below for the exact fares. When leaving a bus you can 'scan out' in order to have a discounted fare when you board another bus if within 30 min. Furthermore, when you "scan out" from a metro and "scan in" to a bus within 30 min then the bus fare is reduced to ₩250. Otherwise, a new fare will be deducted each time you board a service.
See the Districts articles for more listings. The Haeundae area in East Busan is the main tourist destination of the city and is described in its own article. The Suyeong (Gwangalli) area in East Busan is another noteworthy destination of the city and is described in its own article. This is the old town of Busan with a lot of post-war buildings, large docks and atmosphere. This is the place to go see the heritage of the city. The Central Busan is described in its own article. The Hwangryeong mountain Observatory is one of the most famous spot for local people. If we go there we can see Gwangan Bridege for front and Seomyeon for the back.
See the Districts articles for more listings. As Korea's second largest city, there are a large number of events. The Busan International Film Festival is based in Haeundae in the first 10 days of October. It takes place all across Busan showcasing many international films and often some significant premieres of new Korean films. Most of the events are held on Haeundae beach where there are many tents promoting the industry and public interviews with stars. Polar Bear Swim (북금곰 수영대회), Haeundae Beach. A famous beach swim in the first week of January when the temperature is around 0°C. Hundreds of brave participants compete the cold in the sea.
See the Districts articles for more listings. Korea is justly renowned for its great seafood tradition, and Busan as Korea's main coastal city provides possibly the best opportunity to try fresh seafood caught locally. Jagalchi fish market where most of the seafood is landed. You can turn up at 07:00 for delicious grilled fish and a variation of Korean 'hangover soup', although many experiences at both the high and low end are available to you throughout the day. International market where everything is available at very cheap prices.
See the Districts articles for more listings. Busan has thousands if not tens of thousands of drinking places scattered throughout the city and popular spots include Nampodong and the area around Pusan National University. Just look around, and look up, on most streets if you are looking for a bar. Any tall commercial building is likely to have a few inside, usually with English words displayed and often the German word 'Hof' that indicated a place for eating and drinking. The Kyeongseong University area has many selections in terms of density and sheer number of drinking establishments in Busan.
Generally speaking Busan is as safe as most places in South Korea, which is to say very safe. Busan is very safe to roam around freely at night. Be a little bit cautious when most bars close at around 03:00. Some bars stay open until the business dies down and in many cases this may not be until sunrise. Also take care in the area around Busan Station. If any place could be deemed seedy in Busan (which would be a stretch) this area could be considered so. On the metro late at night, you may encounter elderly men who are rather vocal, and under the influence of alcohol, who may be unpleasant towards you.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Busan typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 8 rainy days.
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