Busan Things to Do

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Within the Yongdusan Park is the Busan tower, which represents the city of Busan.
The park is called Yongdusan Park due to the looks of the mountain like a dragon's head, ascending from the sea to the land.

Yongdusan Park is very near in the Gwangbok-ro street/PIFF square.. it's just that you have to climb the mountain of Yongdusan by using the escalator. No entrance fee will be collected once you enter the park, unless you want to have a view inside the tower.

I find this thing very odd though... on the sides surrounding the tower's observation platform...
are lots and lots of 2 padlocks locked together with love messages written on it.
I believe that the Koreans are very much romantic for doing this because the heart shaped objects are very commonly seen and this is not the only place where I saw this fascinating thing they use to do.
I heard that the use of the locks symbolizes the sincerity of love of the couples going in the Busan Tower.

The messages they wrote to each other say something about how they feel about their relationship.
If you haven't brought any locks with you, you can buy it in the convenient store just within the tower's observatory that costs 6000KW.

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PIFF Square is located in the center of Nampo-dong.
It's known as the symbol of the PUSAN International Film Festival due to its Hollywood style effect, "walk of fame".
Also, in the Gwangbokro Street is where you can find lots of luxurious shops.


Every December, the whole area of Gwangbok-ro, the locals celebrate the Christmas tree cultural event in which unique cultural performances are demonstrated and the the Stocking Talent Show being the most notable event.

I never felt tired walking around the square!

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After an awesome view from the Busan tower's obervation platform and wandering in the PIFF square, you must be starving! well then, don't panic! try the Eatery Alley also known as the “Let’s eat alley” which offers a variety of street foods cooked on the spot, drinks, shakes, etc. at a low price! It's very near the PIFF Square.

I'm so full after having a lot of food tripping here! I honestly don't know what i ate but it tasted like dimsum and very tasty, maybe due to the sauce...? Price varies per stick; I think it depends on the size... haha! The street foods weren't that pricey though. You can buy 1000-5000KW per stick. The sushi I think was 5000KW and the hotdog I ate with corn kernels inside was about 2500KW.

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Beomosa Temple is located halfway up the Geumjeongsan Mountain.
This temple holds the 1,300 years of history. It's one of the grandest temple in the country.
The temple's cultural properties designate it as official treasures such as:
the 3 story stone pagoda, Beomosa Daeungjeon temple (main temple), 7 story stone pagoda and
the one pillar gate.

This temple isn't hard to find. Take the MTR line 1, stop at station 133, Beomosa then exit at No. 5/7), take a u-turn, turn left, walk up and you should see a bus terminal. Ride the Bus number 9, which will take you exactly on the entrance of the Beomosa temple.

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Dynamic Busan - Busan City Tour Bus is managed by Tourism Department of Busan. Its the easiest way to get to major attractions of the City with 5 different Courses (Tour Destinations) namely,
1. Haeundae Course
2. Taejongdae Course
3. Downtown Course
4. Eulsukdo Course
5. Night View Course

I just tried 2 of the offered courses (Haeundae and Night View) and both was perfect for tourist.

The cost of the ticket is only 10,000 won per course.

You can visit their website at http://www.citytourbusan.com for information about the courses and time table of each courses.

What I like about this tour is, the ticket you purchase for Haeundae and Taejongdae can be used the entire day and you can continue traveling within the city. You will be given 30 mins stay every stop to each attractions but if you wish to stay longer you may opt to ride the next bus. You just need to keep the pass and present it every time you go in. Just be reminded that there are designated BUS STOPS for loading and unloading.

Time table provided in the internet and in fliers are all updated. The bus arrives on time if not, just within 5 minutes late or ahead of time. I am so impressed with the Busan Department of Tourism for coming up with this kind of Tour. Its cheaper, convenient and very organized.

NOTE: PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THEY ARE CLOSE ON SUNDAYS. We went to Busan Terminal for Eulsukdo Course that Sunday but we were informed that theres no operation every Sundays.

There are plenty of beautiful parks, the Tower, Temples, museums, Jagalchi Fish Market, etc. Have a look at the Busan travel guide. All of these are easily reached by subway and are do-it-yourself.

If you want, here's a recommended Walking Tour:
from Kamcheon-2Dong to Jagalchi Market. If you're good at Korean, see the email link below.

0. You'd better take Subway line 1 and get off Toseong-Dong. Get out of subway and take NO.2 bus going to GamJeong Elementary School. The bus runs every 6 to 12 minutes.

1. Take off GamJeong Elementary school. Now your walking tour will start!

There are lots of colorful houses. The village name is Taegeukdo. This village was established by those who believed in Taegeuk (it's a kind of local new religious movement), but now most of the believers left.

2. walking down to grandpa's tomb (it's a tomb of the Taegeuk founder).

3. ssamzi park

4. GamCheon-2Dong Office

5. wall paintings (painted by university students)

6. panoramic view of harbor

7. Amidong Catholic Church

8. Temporary Capital Museum : In the Korean War period, Seoul was occupied by North Korea so Korean Government moved to Busan. This building was used as Presidential residence (1950~1953).
www.museum.busan.kr/monument/

9. Temporary Capital Government building : In the Korean War Period this building was used as government building. Now it used as Dong-A University museum.

10. Daehan Record shop : It's very famous secondhand music record shop, but if you're not shopping, at least its a good landmark to know you're in the right place.

11. Bosudong secondhand Books alley : Again if you're not shopping, at least its a good landmark to know you're in the right place.
www.bosubook.com/

12. Busan Modern History Museum
This building was used as the Busan Branch of the Oriental Development Company during the Japanese occupation and as the Busan USIS Cultural Center following the liberation of Korea. Since 2003, this building had been renovated and used as Busan Modern History Museum.
museum.busan.kr/modern/index.htm

13. several traditional Markets
Can Alley (it's not exact but I couldn't find proper word.), Kukje Market, etc.

14. Jagalchi Market
It's a really famous traditional fish market.

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This course is included in the Oedo Botania trip worth 19,000 won. The Ferry will pass by several rock islets with stunning formations created naturally by wind and water forces. Just be ready with your camera and videocams to tick for the ferry will pass by so quick.

In the latter part of the trip, the ferry will go through a small entry part in between two huge rock walls. That's really cool!

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November 27, 2011

(I opt to indicate the date in this review to get readers the most updated information about Oedo Island course)

Oedo Botania is just so awesome! This is a must thing to do while staying in Busan. This only requires a full day trip but definitely worth it traveling almost 4 hours from Busan City. This Green paradise is full of trimmed evergreen, tall palm trees, different kinds of blooming and colorful flowers which made famous by the blockbuster television drama, Winter Sonata. You will be captivated by these impressive garden display plus a great view from a top of the hill overlooking the sea. See the photos below to appreciate.

Now, I am excited to tell you the most recent and updated direction on how to get there. My printouts and directions copied from the internet was no longer useful because there were several changes.
Direction:
From Busan Station, take Line 1 to Sasang Station (1,600 won)
* Off from Sasang station take Exit 3 and take stairs way up. Turn right and you can immediately see buses.
* Go straight to ticketing booth inside the Sasang Bus Terminal
* Ticket to Jangseunpo Bus Terminal (Geoje Island) is 7,200 won and it will take 1 and a half hours travel. (Take note that no more ferries from Busan to Jangseunpo anymore and everything is now land travel. Thanks to the bridge that connects the island which lessens the travel time.
* Take taxi from Jangseunpo Bus terminal to Ferry Terminal. Flat down rate is 2,200. (Since its very near, the rate is only at 2,200.
* Head to ticketing office and rate for Oedo Island is 19,000 won for a total 3 hours course. Take not that you will only be given 1 hour and 30 mins to see the Island and must come back in the boat on time.
(Note: you will be given color coded ID's and if you are not sure what time you should go back to ferry, just look around and see if you have same color ID's then you're probably safe LOL. But I suggest you have to write down the exact time so you can enjoy the scenery without being so worried about the time)

Going back:
* Take taxi again to Jangseunpo Bus Terminal, 2,200 won
* Take Bus to Busan Terminal 7,200 won

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