Central Busan consists of the districts of Dong-gu, Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu and Busanjin-gu. This is the old town of Busan with a lot of post-war buildings, large docks and atmosphere. The place to go see the heritage of the city.
Get in
edit- 1 Busan Station is the easiest way in from outside of the city, with KTX services to Seoul and connections to other cities as well. Non-KTX trains to Changwon, Ulsan, Jinju depart from 2 Bujeon Station.
- The Metro Line 1 runs all the way through the area except Nam-gu. Line 2 serves Nam-gu, and Line 1 and 2 intersects at Seomyeon, a popular city center and shopping area.
- 3 International Ferry Terminal (ride Bus 5-1 from Jungang Station, Line 1 or walk 15 min from Busan Station) has five routes to Japan: Fukuoka, Osaka, Shimonoseki, and two ports on Tsushima Island: Kitakatsu and Izuhara.
- There are direct Limousine buses from Busan's Gimhae International Airport to various locations in this area (See airport page for schedule).
See
editJung (Central)-gu
edit- 1 Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower (용두산공원, 부산타워) (Line 1, Nampo station). This pleasant little park is home to Busan's one true tourist attraction, the 118-meter-tall Busan Tower. This is the fourth tallest tower in South Korea, although it is over 100 meters shorter than the Namsan Tower in Seoul. There are some decent views even without going up the tower, and you can buy some corn to feed the resident population of ravenous pigeons. The fences surrounding Busan Tower are adorned with love padlocks, which can be purchased in the souvenir shop. If you go up the Busan Tower you will get to see an awesome panorama of the entire city. You can walk or take the hillside escalator up to the tower. ₩4,000.
- 2 40 Steps (40 Gyedan) (Line 1, Jungang station). A few streets of a grubby district have been 'restored' to their condition in the post-Korean War 1960s, with wooden lamppost and bronze figures illustrating scenes of hardscrabble street life. Also easy walking distance to Yongdusan Park.
- 3 Jagalchi Fish Market (자갈치수산시장), Jagalchi (Line 1, Jagalchi station). This is possibly Korea's most famous fish market with a large selection of seafood there. You will have to opportunity to eat squid that is still wriggling when you eat it! Try and come very early to see the activity around the fish being landed. It is walking distance from the Nampo Lotte Department store or the Jagalchi station on the Busan Metro Line 1.
- 4 Busan Modern History Museum (부산근대역사관), 42-2, 2Ga Daecheong-dong Jung-gu (Line1 - Jungang or Nampo), ☏ +82 51 253-3845. 09:00-20:00. This building housing the Busan Modern History Museum was used as the Busan Branch of the Oriental Development Company during the Japanese occupation and as the Busan USIS Cultural Center (a CIA post) following the Korean war. The exhibition consists of the modern history of Busan during the Japanese occupation, Busan's role in the Korean war and the history of the relationship between Korea and the United States. Although not at all impartial, this museum nevertheless provides a fascinating background to modern Busan and you could probably spend two to three hours here.
Seo (West)-gu
edit- 5 Songdo Beach (송도해수욕장), Gamcheon-ro, Seo-gu (Busan Station (Line 1), Exit 7; take Bus 17, 26 or 61 and get off at the entrance of Songdo (송도입구)). Songdo beach was apparently the first official beach in Korea and the main attraction in Busan for many years until Haeundae became the main tourist center. Today the beach is small (450 meters) and quiet with some charm, surrounded by low key restaurants and cafes. It is also in easy reach of Jagalchi fish market. (Jagalchi Station - Subway Line 1, Exit 2. Turn left at the corner, go straight 50m and cross the street to the bus stop. From the bus stop (충무동교차로), take Bus 7, 26, 71, or 96 to Songdo Beach)
- 6 Gamcheon Cultural Village (감천문화마을) (take Metro line 1 to Toseong Station, leave exit 6 and turn right at the intersection directly in front of you; walk a few minutes to the 'Busan Cancer Center' hospital and take the number 2 bus (Blue/Orange) outside. Get off about 10 minutes later at the top of the hill, marked 'Gamcheon Culture Village'). Gamcheon village was a Korean war refugee camp, and backwater outside of the city center. In 2008 it attracted the attention of local university students who began painting murals throughout the village as part of their social service activities. Today it has become a cultural center with photography and graffiti galleries, small museums, cafés and restaurants.
Dong (East)-gu
edit- 7 Chinatown (near Busan Station). Home of Busan's Chinese community with cheap and delicious dumplings, though most of the Chinese have left the area, and it is today mainly home to Russians.
- 8 Ibagu-gil and 168 Steps (이바구길, 168계단) (at the China Town, go straight up to the hillside; turn right at Choryangsang-ro, and walk to the Choryang Elemntary School). This is an example of old, steep residential area of Busan that was formed after Korean War. Although you can walk the famous 168 steps, there is a free monorail that takes you uphill.
Yeongdo-gu
edit- 9 Yeongdo Bridge (영도대교) (get off at Nampo Station (Line 1)). This is a famous lifting bridge that was built in 1934. It was a meeting point for missing families during the Korean War. The current bridge was rebuilt in 2013, and the bridge lifts up at 14:00 (as of Aug 2021, it is suspended due to Covid).
- 10 Taejongdae Park (태종대공원), Yeongdo-gu Dongsam-dong San 29-1 (from Busan Station, take city bus number 88 or 101 and get off at Taejongdae Park (10-min interval, 40-min ride)). Named after King Taejong Muyul (654-661) of the Silla Dynasty who practiced archery here after unifying the Three Kingdoms. During the Joseon period, King Taejong (1400-1418) is reputed to have visited here for recreation and pleasure. The magistrate of Dongnae also came here during a major drought to offer prayers for rain. Taejongdae is a famous tourist attraction in Busan, with its white lighthouse overlooking the green sea. Many people enjoy eating fresh raw fish on the rocky shore, taking a boat around the Olyuk ('five or six') Islands, and seeing the famous 'Suicide Rock.' When the weather is nice, the Japanese island of Tsushima can be seen in the distance, 56 km away. The scene from the observation deck is beautiful and the white lighthouse together with the green sea looks very exotic. The walk from the entrance to the lighthouse is quite long, although a shuttle bus runs from the shops. There is no entrance fee, though there is a small paid trolley that circles the park. Free.
Busanjin-gu
edit- 11 Busan Citizen's Park (부산시민공원) (get off at Bujeon Station (Line 1 or Donghae Line)). This was a US military base that was turned into a large park in 2014. The parks have large playground for kids and remnants of military base. The park museum has many artifacts about the its history of US military base and the lives around it.
Nam-gu
edit- 12 Busan Museum (at Daeyeon Station (Line 2), ride bus 138 or walk 15 min). 09:00-20:00. Discover the history of Busan from the Prehistoric period to the present day. Free.
- 13 United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UNMCK), 93 UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu (next to Busan Museum; at Daeyeon Station (Line 2), ride bus 138 or walk 20 min; at Kyungsung University · Pukyong National University Station(Line 2), ride Bus 10 or 남구10), ☏ +82 51-625-0625, fax: +82 51-624-2165, unmck@unmck.or.kr. Oct–Apr: 09:00–17:00; May–Sep: 09:00–18:00. This is the only United Nations cemetery in the world. Soldiers from many countries who contributed to the United Nations during the Korean War are buried here. Take bus from in front of the Memorial Park after subway exit. Please note that proper attire is required since guards will prohibit entry if you are wearing flip-flops, miniskirts, or shorts. Free.
Do
edit- 1 Busan Port Boat Tour, Jungang (walk to the Busan Port Authority (BPA) from exit number 2 of Jungang subway station (Line 1)), ☏ +82 51-999-3168. If you are interested in the industrial side of Busan then the Port tour is hard to beat. Passengers on board can see the port facilities of Busan Port, including the passenger terminal, general piers, and container terminals. You will learn about the port facilities, and their role as a transshipment hub. Specifically you will see: Coastal Passenger Terminal → International Passenger Terminal → Jasungdae Container Terminal → UamContainer Terminal → New Gamman Container Terminal → Gamman Container Terminal → Shinsundae Container Terminal → Jo Islands → Hanjin Heavy Industry → Coastal Passenger Terminal
- 2 Busan City Tour (popular pick-up from Busan Station). All-day ticket available for double decker tour buses. Children ₩5,000, adults ₩10,000.
- 3 Samjung 'The Park' Zoo, Choeup-dong (you can take a taxi from Seomyong station). In 2014 a new zoo opened in Busan, with a variety of animals (tigers, lions, bears, elephants, monkeys, etc.) It is very much targeted at children, and there is a very good activity center at the end, with climbing ropes and other activities. Adults ₩19,000, teenagers ₩17,000, children ₩15,000.
Buy
edit- 1 Ggangtong market (깡통시장). 09:00-20:00. An old, easily overlooked market near Jagalchi Market in Nampo dong. There is nothing this market doesn’t sell. Since Busan has a big harbor, many foreigners have visited, so that it was quite early when citizens of Busan began to accept exotic culture and products. Ggangtong Market is a kind of evidence of that history. At the end of the Ggangtong market, there is a narrow street called Book Street of Bosudong, which contains a huge variety of secondhand book shops.
- 2 The markets of Gukje, Gwangbok-dong and Nampo-dong (국제시장), ☏ +82 51-245-7389. 07:00-22:00. Three major shopping districts connected to each other. Very much similar to Seoul's Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong shopping district. Various shops geared towards young and old people with many brand name stores and underground stores. You can bargain with the sellers. It also the setting for the Korean film Ode to My Father (2014).
- 3 Lotte Department Store, Busan Main Branch (롯데백화점 부산본점), 부산광역시 부산진구 부전2동 신천대로78번길 61 (Line 1, 2 Seomyeon Station). An over-the-top temple to consumerism (check out the fountains and statues at the basement entrance), this is Busan's second largest department store. It is the place to pick up some ₩500,000 ginseng or perhaps a Spam gift set for the folks back home. The basement has good food court, delicatessen and supermarket section.
- 4 Lotte Department Store, Gwangbok Branch (롯데백화점 광복점), 2 Jungang-daero, Jung-gu (Line 1, Nampo Station). This is a similar Lotte department store, and has an indoor vertical waterfall and rooftop observation deck which has a whole view of the harbor and bridges. With a sales area of 23,097 pyeong, it is the largest store in Busan and the third largest in terms of sales. In terms of overall size, it is a large store that enters the top 10 nationwide, and Lotte Department Store is connected to Lotte Mart and Lotte Cinema Gwangbok, forming a kind of Lotte Mall.
- 5 Choryang Foreigner Shopping Area (opposite Busan station). A strange combination of a Chinatown and a Russian town with ornate Chinese gates and Russian shops selling pickles and vodka. The overall feeling is distinctly downmarket, and if you want to take the name literally there are ladies of many nationalities enticing sailors and other customers in the doorways. You may get more than you bargained for though, as the area is notorious for ripoffs and even the occasional robbery at night.
- 6 Seomyeon Medical Street, Subway Line 1 - Busanjin. Seomyeon Medical Street (서면메디컬스트리트) is an area with around 160 medical clinics providing all types of medical procedures, and is popular with foreigners who want to take advantage of low cost medical procedures. You can buy cosmetic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology and dentistry procedures.
Eat
editBudget
edit- 1 Gimbap Cheongook (김밥천국), Choryang-dong 1187-21 (a block to the north of Busan station, has an orange-yellow-white sign). Serves up gimbap from ₩2000 and all sorts of noodles for ₩2500-4000. No English menu or sign, but if you can say it they'll make it, and it's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ₩4500.
- 2 welly&food (웰리앤푸드코트), Daejeo 2-dong 2350 (Busan station 3F), ☏ +82 051-941-2891. 6AM-10PM. This food court serves all the usual Korean favorites, with plastic food and English menus making ordering a snap. ₩8500.
- 3 Seoul Kakkduggi (Nampo-dong). Specializes in beef soups and kakkduggi side dish. Meals around ₩6000.
- 4 Amby's, Texas St (Russia Town). European, North American, Russian, and SE Asian dishes; try the borscht stew. Popular with sailors and their lady companions, the best time to go is after midnight. A small shop offering a limited selection of dust-covered western goods is located in the front.
- 5 Eva's (near Kyeongseong University (경성대)). Turns into a bar, but they serve excellent Western food, and American-style breakfast until the afternoon. Open air bar. Thursday is ladies' bottomless drinks for ₩15000. In-Jung runs the bar and is a great hostess.
- 6 Leegane Tteokbokki (이가네 떡볶), 48, Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 245 0413. 10:00-17:00. Tteokbokki restaurant is inside the can market. Prices are reasonable at ₩5,000 for tteokbokki, ₩5,000 for fries, and ₩1,000 for a corn dog.
Mid-range
edit- 7 Shabana Indian Restaurant, 56-1 3rd Flr Deyon-dong Namgu (Subway Station no 212 Kyungsung University and from the Century 21 building across from Kyungsung University, either take a left at Pizza Hut, and then your first left, walk to the end of the block it is on the 3rd floor across from the Seven Eleven; or walking from Vinyl to the subway, it is the second street on your right, across from Buy the Way), ☏ +82 51 621-4821. 11:00-23:00. Authentic Indian restaurant owned by Indians. US$10-20.
- 8 Lee Jae Mo Pizza, Busan (이재모피자 본점), 31 Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 245 1478. 11:00-21:30. This is the most famous pizza restaurant in Central Busan. On weekdays and weekends, a very large number of people line up to eat inside the restaurant. To solve this problem, a take-out only store has been opened across the street. Prices range from ₩20,000 to ₩40,000.
- 9 Kkangdwaehu (깡돼후), 57 Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 244 2019. 12:00-22:30. This is a pork cutlet version of the Korean fried chicken called 'Pork Ribs Fried'. It is available in large, medium, and small sizes, with prices ranging from ₩13,000 to ₩23,000 depending on the size.
- 10 Donghwa Chinese Restaurant (동화반점), 73-8 Bosu-dong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 253 6661. 11:30-20:30. This Chinese restaurant in Busan, Jung-gu, is famous for its Yuni-jjajang and Sweet and sour pork. Noodles and fried rice are inexpensive at ₩6,000-8,000, but other dishes cost ₩20,000-30,000. Closed every Wednesday.
- 11 Hongudan Nampo branch (홍유단 남포동본점), Jung-gu, Gudeok-ro 34beon-gil, 5, 2, ☏ +82 0507 1393 4016. 11:00 - 22:00. It's a Chinese restaurant. Typically, there are regular course meals (₩37,000-85,000 ), lunch course meals (₩23,000-35,000), and couple course meals (₩39,000-49,000), with a 15:30 - 16:30 break.
- 12 Dolswe Wood-fired grilling (돌쇠장작구), 19-1 Haegwan-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 231 9281. 16:30-21:40. A Korean barbecue restaurant with a single menu item: beef outside skirt It costs ₩13,000 per bowl and has sides such as Doenjangjjigae, rice, and Naengmyeon. Closed every Sunday and last order is at 21:00.
Splurge
editDrink
edit- 1 Club Realize (at Kyungsung station walk straight out of exit 1 for a few meters and take the first right, walk to the end of that block and take the next right at the long tea bar; it's 2 bars over on the right, above Bar King King on the 5th floor). Usually open on Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes throughout the week (although it has been available for rental during the week abd Sundays). It's the only place to see regular metal, punk and rock in Busan. A modest amount of beer and booze at the bar is complemented by a selection of in house cocktails. Good place to go and let it all out, scream shout and get wasted and not care how you look.
- 2 Thursday Party (떨스데이 파티), Bujeon-dong 168-126, ☏ +82 0517446621. 19:00-4:00. Much akin to the other Thursday Parties in town, one of the most popular places for Koreans and Westerners to intermingle. If you've been to one, you've been to them all. ₩10,900.
Sleep
editBudget
edit- 1 Apple Guest House (애플게스트하우스), 5F, 6-1 4ga nampodong jung-gu (1-minute walk from Nampodong station exit 2 (between the Nampo and Jagalchi subway stations, on the fifth floor)), ☏ +82 10 8020 2583, aptitude66@naver.com. Friendly atmosphere, staff speak excellent English and know their way around town. There are many restaurants, shops, and bars near the guesthouse. No curfew. They have 6-, 4-person dormitory room and twin, double bed room. ₩18,000 per person/night.
- 2 Kyungsung Hostel, ☏ +82 70-4132-4003, pusanhostel@gmail.com. Offers Korean lessons for their guests. They have dinner with their guests. The hostel near the Kyungsung-Pukyong University area also features a gorgeous ocean view. ₩20,000 per person/night.
- 3 Blue Backpackers, Bujeon 2dong 454-1, ☏ +82 10-5019-3962, +82 10-5019-396208, staff@busanbackpackers.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean and cozy hostel with a reasonable price. Jin, the owner is very friendly and helpful with a lot of information for your trip. The hostel is in the center of Busan in Seomyeon, 5-10 minutes walk to lots of shops and restaurants. Blue Backpackers is very good location for the transportation to get around Busan. Breakfast free, free wifi. Dorm bed ₩20,000 per person, private rooms ₩50,000 for 2 people. Family room for ₩90,000. All rooms with a bathroom and air-con. They also have other options for your need. They have a big common room with a big screen TV, computers, tables, chairs and nice kitchen on the roof is awesome.
- 4 Kumran Hotel (Gumran), ☏ +82 51 8038800. (금란). ₩25,000 or ₩30,000/double per night. Seomyeon Station Exit 9 (5 min walk from the station). Once you take the Station Exit 9, you will face the Family Mart and a dumpling(Mandoo). Gumran Hotel is in the alley to the right of Family Mart, not the same alley Family Mart is on near the Younggwan Library (영관 도서관); ask someone, they'll know. It is about 100 m into the alley. Free parking.
- 5 Platinum Hotel (부산 남포동 플래티넘 호텔), 50 Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1440 3336. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Nampo-dong Platinum Hotel in Busan is located a 6-minute walk from Exit 7 of Jagalchi Station on Busan Subway Line 1. Nearby attractions include Gukje Market, a 1-minute walk away, and Jagalchi Market, a 10-minute walk away. Guests can also reach Haeundae Beach in a 40-minute drive.This comfortable and cozy hotel in Busan offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception and luggage storage.Other services offered at this hotel include a blind elevator, 24-hour security and a wake-up call service. There is also a private parking lot nearby for guests with cars.Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with premium facilities such as a flat-screen TV, a rain shower and slippers. Travel adapters and a refrigerator are available in all rooms, and the private bathroom comes with bathrobes. It costs ₩30,000-40,000 per night.
Mid-range
edit- 6 K-Guesthouse Premium Nampo (K게스트하우스프리미엄남포), 40-2 Nampo-gil, Jung-gu. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Lively area with street food at Gukje Market, plus BIFF Square movies & views from Busan Tower. Accommodation costs range from ₩38,000 to ₩46,000 units per night for a single person, depending on the type of room, and ₩76,000 for two people.
- 7 Nampo-dong Hill Guesthouse (남포동힐게스트하우스 펜션), 5-5 Gwangbok-ro 85beon-gil, Jung-gu. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Located on the main street of Nampo-dong, it is easy to walk around Nampo-dong, Jagalchi, and Bupyeong Canton Market, and is centrally located for accessing Busan's famous tourist attractions. A double room costs ₩65,000, a female-only 6-person dormitory costs ₩25,000, and a male-only 8-person dormitory costs ₩22,000.
- 8 Griffin Bay Hotel (그리핀베이 호텔), 6, Jagalchi-ro 59beon-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1338 2976. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. It is located within a 2-minute walk from Exit 10 of Nampo Underground Shopping Center after getting off at Jagalchi Station/Nampo-dong Station on Subway Line 1. It is located adjacent to Nampo-dong, Jagalchi Market, and Gwangbok-dong, making it convenient for tourists to shop and move around. Prices range from \60,000 - \100,000 per night.
- 9 Nampo Brosis Hotel (브로시스 호텔), 4, Gudeok-ro 48beon-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1368 5818. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Brosis Hotel is about a 4-minute walk from Exit 1 of Nampo Station on Busan Line 1. Nearby attractions, Beef Square is about a 3-minute walk away, and Jagalchi Market is about a 6-minute walk away. Gamcheon Cultural Village is about an 8-minute drive away, and Songdo Beach is about a 10-minute drive.The hotel offers unattended check-in service via a kiosk. A business lounge is also available for guests to work. Guests can enjoy views of Busan city center from the rooftop. There is a lobby & lounge bar and a bakery cafe where guests can enjoy light meals and drinks. Prices range from ₩50,000-70,000 per night.
- 10 Busan Hotel (부산 관광호텔), 23, Gwangbok-ro 97beon-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 241 4301. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Close to Yongdusan Park, this Busan tourist hotel is a 4-minute walk from Exit 7 of Nampo Station on Busan Line 1. International Market, Jagalchi Market, and BIFF Square are a 15-minute walk away, while Gwangalli Beach is a 40-minute drive away.The hotel offers a range of facilities and services for travelers, including a spa and wellness center, a sauna, and free wireless Internet access in public areas. Free on-site private parking is also available. Comfortable and cozy guestrooms feature a refrigerator, a private bathroom, and free wireless Internet access in all rooms. Each room is air conditioned and provides cable and satellite channels. All rooms are equipped with a bathtub and bottled water.Breakfast is served in the on-site restaurant. Prices range from ₩45,000-70,000 per night.
Splurge
editMost of Busan's luxury hotels are in Haeundae, however there are a couple centrally located:
- 11 Commodore Hotel, 743-80, Youngju-dong, Jung-gu (within walking distance of Nampo-dong), hotel@commodore.co.kr.
- 12 Lotte Hotel. Attached to one of the largest shopping centers in Busan. All of the staff speak very good English, and the rooms are quite large with great views of the city surrounding it. The hotel also offers a casino on the second floor, an Irish pub, and an expensive restaurant. The shopping center has a grocery store and a variety of restaurants at reasonable prices, and a movie theater on the top level. The shopping center is like any typical western-style mall, with name-brand and high-end consumer items and clothing for sale.
- 13 Crown Harbor Hotel (크라운하버호텔 부산), 114, Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1431 1045. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. From Busan Station, take Subway Line 1 for one stop and get off at Jungang Station, then walk 200 meters to Exit 14, opposite Jungang Police Station. It costs ₩130,000-150,000 per night.
- 14 Tower Hill Hotel (타워힐 호텔), 20, Baeksan-gil, Jung-gu (200 meters from Exit 1 of Busan Subway Line 1 Central Station), ☏ +82 051 250 6100. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Next to Yongdusan Park, Tower Hill Hotel has a fitness center, massage parlour and restaurants. There is also free parking available. There are 116 rooms, all with free Wi-Fi. In-room amenities include a refrigerator, a coffee pot, and a safe. Breakfast is available.
- 15 Stanford Inn Busan (스탠포드 호텔 부산), ☏ +82 051 795 7700. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The hotel is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 12 of Nampo Station on Busan Subway Line 1. Jagalchi Market is just a 3-minute walk away, Gukje Market is about a 10-minute walk away, and Songdo Beach is a 15-minute drive away. It's also a 25-minute drive to Seomyeon 1 Street, known for its art scene.The hotel has a 24-hour reception and offers currency exchange, a tour desk and luggage storage. Prices range from ₩110,000-160,000 per night.