Eulsukdo Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The Lower Nakdonggang River Seasonal Bird Migration Site was designated as a natural monument on July 13, 1966, and it has a large river-mouth, sand dunes, delta, Ilungdo Island, Eulsukdo Island and other islands.  The snipes and waterfowls stop by when they pass Korea during the fall and spring, and the ducks and geese find their way here in the winter.  This area, where the Nakdonggang River and the South Sea meet, has over 150 species of birds, which visit between October and March.  You're most likely to see swans, and even raptorial species like eagles and white-tailed eagles.  It is a large area with thick groves of reeds, which make it hard to approach by land.  In order to watch migratory birds, you should take a boat from Myeongji-dong harbor and get a local guide to help you.  The ideal time for bird watching is between 9am and 4pm.
Eulsukdo Island is one of the places you absolutely cannot miss.  It is a delta island, and is well known as a paradise for over a hundred thousand birds.  It is an amazing sight to see some ultra-rare species of birds like the white-naped cranes, the blackfaced spoonbills, and the white-tailed eagles, as they arrive and spend the winter. 

Jagalchi Market

The Jagalchi Market is Korea's largest seafood market.  After the Korean War the market solidified itself as a fish market.  Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the women who sell here are called 'Jagalchi Ajumma', 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women.

This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country.  If you visit you can eat fresh raw fish right at the market.  Even these days you can see women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden board boxes along the road.

Every year in October the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held, and it is easy to visit because of the convenient transportation of the subway.  The Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives.

Haeundae Beach

Haeundae Beach is probably the most famous  beach in the country.  The name "Haeundae" was named by scholar Choi Chi-Won (857~?) of the Silla Dynasty (BC57~AD 935).  When he was walking past Dongbaekdo Island, he was fascinated by it and left carved words "Hae Un Dae" on a Stone Wall on Dongbaekdo Island.  Haeundae is 1.5km long, 30~50m wide, with an area of 58,400?.  The white sand is rough and easily sticks to your skin.  The sand of this beach is composed of sands that come from Chuncheon Stream and shells that have disintegrated naturally by the wind over a long time. Haeundae Beach is also famous for the various cultural events and festivals held throughout the year.  At Haeundae Beach there is a Folk Square where you can enjoy traditional games such as Neoldduigi (seesaw jumping), Korean wrestling, Tuho(arrow throwing), tug-of-War and yutnori.  There is also the Beach Culture Center and the Beach Library.  Numerous people visit every year from June to August.

Beomeosa Temple

Beomeosa Temple is located at the edge of a famous mountain in Busan, Mt.Geumjeongsan.  About 1,300 years ago it was constructed by monk Ui Sang in the 18th year (678) of King Munmu (reign 661~681) of the Silla Kingdom (the kingdom mainly occupied the Gyeongsang-do Province region in 678A.D.).  In the geography book 'Donggukyeojiseungram' the origin of Beomeosa Temple is written as follows:  
"There is a well on the top of Mt. Geumjeongsan and the water of that well is gold. The golden fish in the well rode the colorful clouds and came down from the sky.  This is why the mountain is named Geumsaem (gold well) and the temple is named 'fish from heaven'."

The original Beomeosa Temple building was lost during Imjinwaeran Invasion (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592) but was renovated in 1713, which remains as it now is.  Daeungjeon is one of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910).  There is Iljumun, the three-story pagoda with four pillars, built in the 9th century, and seven royal palace wings, pavilions, three gates, and eleven hermitages. Designated as a natural monument, the wisteria woods and valleys are most beautiful in May.

Taejongdae Park

Designated as a Busan monument, along with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae  represents Busan, and is especially famous for its rock beach.  Featuring its highest peak at 250 meters, there are forests of pine trees and other 200 varieties of trees.  Taejongdae was named after the 29th king of Silla Dynasty BC57~AD 935), King TaeJong Mu-Yeol (604~661).  King Tae-jong had traveled to many places but this was the place he enjoyed shooting arrows.  Under the lighthouse of this resort is a rock called Sinseon Rock, named after the myth that gods and goddesses came down here to relax.  At this rock is a figure called Mangbuseok, named after the story of a woman who waited for her husband who had been taken to Japan.  Taejongdae is also famous for the ritual of praying for rain, performed when there are droughts, and rain on the 10th of lunar May is called the 'Taejong Rain'.  On days with clear skies you can see Japan’s Daema Island from the observatory.

Dalmaji Hill

Dalmaji Hill is a small walkway on the corner to Songjeong Beach.  Dalmaji Hill is a trail with woods of cherry blossoms and pine trees, which is located past Haeundae Beach, on the slope of Mt.Wausan. The landscape, with the blue sea, sandy seashore, and pine trees, is beautiful enough to be the representative place of this area for a long time to come.
This walk became famous as a relaxing place in the summer, ever since Haeundae Beach opened in 1965. On days with clear skies you can see Japan's Daema Island from the observatory.  There is a spa and other facilities nearby, making it a great place to visit for people who want to relax and enjoy their free time, not only in the summer, but throughout the year.   The Dalmaji Hill has 8km driving course and at the peak of Mt.Wau is a Dalmaji hill.  On the top of the Hill is a clock tower, representing the marine city Busan, going forth and reaching out to the world.

Songjeong Beach

Songjeong Beach has good quality sand and shallow water, which makes it an ideal beach for families to swim together.  The white sandy beach stretches 1.2 km, and covers an area of 62,150 square meters.  It can carry about 14,000 people on the beach.  The sand is a mixture of debris from Songjeong River, and the seashell grains that form naturally over a long time, lays beautifully like tiny marbles on the beach.  The beach also has the unique feel of the southern region, making the beach experience all that much more fun.  At the entrance of the beach is the Jukdo, where thick evergreen groves contain relaxing facilities inside.  At the northeast of the beach, you can enjoy fishing as well.  There is also a dock where you can use motorboats and get on cruises in the summer. An Especially famous part of the Songjeong Beach is the Songiljeong Pavilion, from where you can get a truly lovely view of the sunrise and moonrise.
Because this beach is a bit off the Busan area, it is quite unlike many of the other beaches in Busan.  Every year the Harvest Full-Moon Seaweed Festival and the Songjeong Beach Festival are held here, and many vacationers come to enjoy the celebrations.

Nampo-dong Street

The theater district of Busan is jam packed with movie theaters and is host to the Busan International Film Festival.  To commemorate the PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival) Plaza, every year the winners of the festival contribute copper plates imprinted with their hand and foot prints. These copper plates stretch far across the plaza.  The streets are especially crowded in October, when the films are being screened for the movie festival at local theaters.  It is during this time that you can also find various events revolving around the promotion of the movies featured at the festival. In the vicinity of Nampo-dong Street you can find Jagalchi Fish Market and Choryang Arcade for Foreigners.  This well sought after area is flourishing with not only theaters, but many kinds of shops and eateries as well.  

Busan Aquarium

The Busan Aquarium contains over 35,000 kinds of fish, algae, reptiles, and amphibians.  This state-of-the-art facility is one of Korea’s top aquariums.  The Busan Aquarium covers an area of 36,000 m2 and has 3 underground levels as well as outdoor park area.  In the first underground level you can find a simulator, souvenir shop, and several places to eat, while in underground levels 2 and 3 you can find various kinds of aquariums.  The third underground level boasts an 80m main tank (seabed) tunnel.  One feels like they are walking along the ocean floor as they pass through this tunnel with various species of fish and sharks swimming above head.   This is one of the most popular areas of the aquarium and guarantees to be a special experience.  The simulator will stretch your imagination and give you the tingling feeling of experiencing life on the ocean floor.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan.  This superb find of a tourist spot and temple offers visitors the rare find of a temple along the shore line.  Most temples in Korea are located in the mountains.  Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was first built in 1376 during the Goryeo Dynasty.  During the reign of Uwang, the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong established this temple beside the sea.  Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (Seawater Great Goddess Buddha), Daeungjeon Main Sanctuary, Yongwangdang Shrine, Gulbeop Buddhist Sanctum (enclosed in a cave), and a three-story pagoda with 4 lions can all be seen looking out over the ocean.


The main sanctuary of the temple was reconstructed in 1970 with careful attention paid to the colors that were traditionally used in such structures. On the right-hand side, inside the a cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist sanctum, while situated just in front of the main sanctuary is a three-story pagoda with 4 lions.  The 4 lions are symbolizing joy anger, sadness, and happiness. Other special sites at the temple are the 108 stairs and stone lanterns lining the rocky landscape.  After going down the 108 steps, one will be delighted with the beauty of the temple.  Midway down the 108 steps one can stop and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves as well view the majestic sunrise.  Many people often come to this spot on New Year's Day to make a wish for the new year as they watch the sun come up.  April is an especially beautiful time of year with cherry blossoms in full bloom.  The birth of Buddha is also celebrated in April (following the lunar calendar) and offers a spectacular night view as the temple area is aglow with electrically lit lanterns.

Gwangalli Beach

Gwangalli Beach is 1.4km long, 64m wide, and is famous for its fine sand. This area has been conducted a water cleaning program, and as a result, the water of the beach is very clean. As the water is very clean, the area is also busy with fishermen. You can prepare raw fish dishes on the spot, right after you have caught a fish, and there is also the Olympic Yacht Rental where you can rent yachts.  On the beach there is an outer concert stage where the Busan Ocean Festival and other various events are held. You can also enjoy water-skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and other exciting water sports. The area has a cultural center, a museum, theaters for plays and movies, an art gallery, TV station, and famous Korean and non-Korean fashion brand name shops. It is a popular gathering place for young people in their 20s and 30s.

Dongbaekdo Island

There are many islands named Dongbaekdo Island in the South Sea where dongbaek trees thrive. Among them, the Dongbaekdo Island in Busan used to be an island, but is now part of the mainland. Dongbaekdo Island is a very small, and many dongbaek trees and evergreens thrive there. At the top of the island, there is a statue and a monument of Choe Chi-Won, a scholar and writer during the Silla Dynasty (BC 59 ~ AD 932). The Busan Tourism Organization has declared Dongbaekdo Island Tourist Site No.46. The island also has Dongbaek Park and a 2.5 m high statue of a mermaid near the beach which many tourists can easily visit on their way to the beach.

Yongdusan Park

Yongdusan park, which harmonizes Busan Tower and 70 different species of trees, is a favorite rest place of the citizens of Busan. It is called Yongdusan because the shape of the mountain looks like the head of a dragon that climbs to land from sea.
Yongdusan park is an area of about 69,000 ?.  
There are Coffee shops here and Busan Aquarium. The pride of Yongdusan Park is a night view of Busan at the 120m-height Busan Tower.
And there are the statue of General  Lee Sunsin who was a great commander in Joseon Dynasty period(1392-1910) and 4.19 Revolution monument(student's anti government movement).