Suyeong

Suyeong is a beach side district in the east of Busan, often better known as Gwangalli. Although not as upmarket as its famous neighbor, Haeundae, it still attracts a large crowd in summer on the beach and on weekends for parties. It is locally famous for its night views of the Gwangan Bridge. It is also relatively close to the center and old town areas of Busan. If you are looking to experience the 'real' Busan and not spend too much, then staying on Gwanganlli beach may be the perfect choice.

Get in

The closest metro station to Gwangalli beach is 1 Gwangan Station (subway line number 2, exit 3 or 5) and walk 5 minutes.

To take a bus from Busan Station, take city bus No. 41, 42, 140, 239, 240, 139 and get off at Gwangalli Beach.

See

Panorama of Gwangali Beach

• 1 Gwangalli Beach. Best experienced at night when the impressive Gwangan Grand Bridge is illuminated. The area is similar to Haeundae but smaller and less upscale. There are plenty of local restaurants, bars and shops in the area. In summer the crowds are slightly less than in Haeundae Beach. This is also the premier location for new year's ever firework/drone shows. (updated Jan 2024)
• 2 Gwangan Grand Bridge (Gwangandaegyo). Driving (or taking the bus) across Gwangan Bridge is a great way to see the view, especially at nighttime. Viewed from the town it has an impressive light display at night. It featured in the Marvel move 'Black Panther'. (updated Jan 2024)
• 3 Millak subyeon park (민락수변공원), 361, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan. Here is a park where people can see Gwangan grand bridge and Gwangalli beach. (updated Oct 2024)

Do

Sunrise on Gwangalli Beach

• Gwangalli Hoe Festival (outdoor stage on Gwangalli Beach near Millak Raw Fish Street), ☏ +82 051-752-4545. A raw fish festival running every year at the beginning of October. You can try making hoe bibimbap and sushi. 
• Busan Fireworks Festival (부산불꽃축제). The Busan Fireworks Festival takes place every October along Gwangalli Beach. (updated Jan 2019)

• 1 Bay 101 Yacht, 52 Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu. Although it departs from the neighboring Haeundae area, this is a great way to seen Gwangan Bridge and beach. (updated Jan 2024)

Buy

Nighttime view towards Haeundae from Gwangalli

Eat

• 1 Millak Town Raw Fish Center (Gwangalli Beach). Busan is famous for raw fish ('회 Hway'), which the Koreans eat in the same style as bulgogi, namely topped with kimchi and gochujang and wrapped in a lettuce leaf. One of the best places to sample this is in a large brown building at the northern end of Gwangalli Beach. The first floor is the actual fish market and the floors above are packed with nothing but restaurants serving it up. This can get expensive, so order a set or specify your budget to avoid surprises. 
• Four Season Raw Fish (Sakyeocheol Hoetjip) (Millak Raw Fish Center 2F). The owner, Mr. Jun, speaks English, and ordering here is easy: it's either set A, B or C at ₩30,000/40,000/50000 per head. Even Set A is huge, while C is extremely large. This is as real as it gets and dishes will include still-moving octopus tentacles and other stuff most Westerners would not be familiar with. 
• 2 Samho Fish Restaurant. 
• 3 Little Aus Cafe, ☏ +827087768111. 10:00-16:00 daily, closed Tuesdays. Australian-style cafe with variations on brunch and lunch classics (updated Sep 2024)

Drink

• 1 Galmegi Brewery, galmegibrewery@gmail.com. 18:00-00:00. ‘The Brewery’ is Busan’s first American-style craft beer microbrewery and brewpub. Opened in May 2014, and set one street back from Gwangalli Beach. From ₩6,000. 
• Thursday Party. Gwangalli classic on the beach. On a good night the foosball table area becomes a dance floor and in summer the party spills onto the beach. 

Sleep

• 1 Homers Hotel (호메르스호텔), 217 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, ☏ +82 051 750 8000. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The cost is ₩74,000-80,000 per night. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Kent Hotel Gwangnlli by Kensinton (켄트호텔 광안리 by 켄싱턴), 229 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The cost is ₩90,000-100,000 per night. (updated Nov 2023)
• 3 Hotel Aqua Palace (호텔아쿠아펠리스), 225 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, ☏ +82 051 790 2300. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Expect to pay ₩75,000-80,000 per night. (updated Nov 2023)
• 4 The Point Hotel (오션 더 포인트 호텔 광안점), Ocean Bridge A, 42, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 278beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, ☏ +82 051 929 8600. Check-in: 17:00, check-out: 12:00. The cost is ₩42,000-50,000 per night. (updated Nov 2023)
• 5 H Avenue Hotel Gwangalli branch (에이치에비뉴호텔 광안리점), 29 Millaksubyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The cost is ₩65,000-70,000 per night. (updated Nov 2023)