Busan, the second city of Korea - AMORE STORIES - ENGLISH

NEW BEAUTY

2015.02.26
5 LIKE
98 VIEW
  • 메일 공유
  • https://stories.amorepacific.com/en/busan-the-second-city-o

Busan, the second city of Korea

STAFF
COLUMN

The column section written by AP Group members.

Hidden Tourist Attractions in Korea

Busan, the second city of Korea

COLUMNIST
AMOREPACIFIC Cosmeceutical Research Team Baik Soo-jung

Busan located on the south of Korea's second city after Seoul, the capital. Situated on the south eastern coast of the Korean peninsula, the city's growth has relied on the development of ports whose success has split over into industries such as fishery, shipbuilding, trading and tourism. The wide mix of industries present in the city has created a diverse mix of different cultures and a unique city landscape offering a fascinating mix of the old and the new – as featured in a number of prominent Korean movies. Its beautiful and broad beaches are favorite summer vacation spots for people all over the country. It is said that the number of parasols on Haeundae Beach in summer is so large that it has set the world record for the largest number of beach umbrellas. Today, I'd like to introduce some of the attractions and famous dishes of Busan.

Haeundae Beach (해운대)

  • Haeundae Beach with about 10,000 beach umbrellas on a summer day (Source: Haeundae Beach homepage, sunnfun.haeundae.go.kr)

  • The Firework Festival held at Haeundae Beach in fall (Source: Busan Fireworks Festival, http://www.bff.or.kr/KOR/Fireworks/main.asp)

Haeundae Beach is such a famous beach that it is what many people think first of at the mention of Busan. The world record for the largest number of beach umbrellas on a single beach was set here. In summer, Haeundae Beach is packed with tourists who come here to cool off. Thanks to the movies set here and the high media coverage the area gets, many foreigners love to come here as well. In the past, the beach was packed with family crowds, but the view now has changed a lot as young, beautiful summer vacationists strut their stuff on the beach. At night, the many trendy pubs and restaurants that line the beach turn on their lights and make the beach look like one big party hall. If you're interested in a summer beach party full of energy and abundant drive, visit Haeundae Beach this summer.

Plus, the beach swarms with people not only in summer but also in fall, as BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) and Fireworks Festival dominate the season. And, if you go to Haeundae Beach around this time of year with spring around the corner, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful, yet secluded winter sea.

Dalmaji Pass (달맞이 고개)

  • A view of the sea from Dalmaji Pass in the morning

  • A night scene of the beach

Going up a low hill stretch from Haeundae Beach, you will arrive at the scenic Dalmaji Pass. It is a great course to go driving on as it is connected to a coastal road which overlooks the sea, with high-class hotels, restaurants and cafes lining the pass. You can enjoy the view of the dazzling blue sea in daytime and the nightscape of the beach illuminated with colorful lights. With the beautiful sea view at night creating a romantic mood, it makes a great place for couples to come for a date or to pop the question.

Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market (자갈치 시장과 국제시장)

Jagalchi Market full of fresh marine products

Jagalchi Market is the largest fish market in Korea. The thing is, no one really knows where its name comes from. Some say that it is named Jagalchi Market because the market floor used to be covered with Jagal (gravel), whereas others say it is so called because Galchi (cutlass fish) was the best-selling product in the market; be that as it may, you will realize once again that Busan is most definitely a coastal city as you look around the market full of fresh marine products, with market sellers talking in the rich local dialect. If you visit Busan, make sure to go to Jagalchi Market, where gastronomes gather in crowds to enjoy fresh fish fillet, broiled fish and many other kinds of seafood.
  • 1

    1 Food alley in Gukje Market

  • 2

    2 Ssiat hotteok (sweet Korean style pancake stuffed with seeds)

    3

    3 Busan fish paste and yubu jumeoni (fried tofu wrapped around filling)

While Jagalchi Market is a traditional fish market, Gukje Market located near Busan Port is a traditional market trading in industrial goods such as clothing and imported goods. Riding on the smash hit recent Korean movie Gukje Market, a large number of people have started flocking to the market. The shops and alleys that featured in the movie have become famous now, but people have always been drawn here for the street foods. There are all kinds of snacks found only in Busan available here, such as Busan fish paste, bibim dangmyeon (spicy starch noodle), ssiat hotteok (sweet Korean style pancake stuffed with seeds), yubu jumeoni (fried tofu wrapped around filling) and milmyeon (wheat noodle). Some snacks have become so famous that they are sold through franchises in other cities like Seoul, but, as ever, local foods are best when enjoyed locally!

Gamcheon Culture Village (감천마을)

  • The whole view of Gamcheon Culture Village

Gamcheon Culture Village, known as the Santorini of Korea, was first designed to be a residential community for refugees from the Korean War. Back then, there were not enough residential areas and so people would build terraced houses along the foot of the mountain. People have lived there ever since. In this sense, then, the village embraces the long history of Busan. With the labyrinth of narrow and winding alleys and houses built back-to-back, it was at first shunned as a poor place to live, but has since become one of Busan's most famous attractions, with more than 300,000 tourists visiting it each year.

  • Gamcheon Village has many twisting alleys and stairs

  • Wall paintings and art works are found all over Gamcheon Culture Village

Fascinated at the unique view of the village and its history, many young artists have come and added art to all corners of the village with art galleries and installation art. Interaction between the elderly who lived here even before the village was built in the 1950s and young artists is now creating a new cultural landscape. I felt proud of the way they have proved the value of creating a new culture intermixed with the old.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (해동 용궁사)

Yonggungsa Temple seated on the sea cliff

Built in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher Naong, Yonggungsa Temple stands facing the sea. Temples are in fact typically located deep in the mountains, but Yonggungsa Temple is so close to the sea that the roar of the waves breaking on the sand below can be heard inside. This is perhaps the reason I felt like entering an underwater palace of the Dragon King (of the sea): to step into the temple was to step into a world of myth and legend. The temple is always crowded as it is known for its spiritual energy, with visitors' dearest wishes finding an answer here, amid the magnificent scenery with the sea rolling out to the great beyond. I did not expect much from the temple as I feasted my eyes on the beautiful seascape at Haeundae Beach, but I felt healed in both mind and body by the fine view of the sea from the temple and the sound of waves breaking on the cliffs below. On a good day when the sea calms down, it is possible to go up to a wide rock in front of the temple and see the breaking waves, which will make you feel refreshed beyond description. Why not make a wish of your own at Yonggungsa Temple?

Beacon Fire Station at Hwangnyeongsan Mountain (황령산 봉수대)

  • The night view of Busan from the Beacon Fire Station on Hwangnyeongsan Mountain

Beacon Fire Station at Hwangnyeongsan Mountain was built in the 1400s as part of a vital communication channel. Today, though, it is situated in such an isolated place that most people who live in Busan do not know where it is. As I stood looking out in the quiet over the sparkling night view of Busan below, it was like a hidden gem you can't even buy. There are some places such as Namsan Tower in Seoul and Octagonal Pavilion at Bugaksan Mountain where you can see all the wondrous colors of the city at night, but the view is obstructed as they all are fenced off for safety reasons. From here, you can enjoy the beautiful night scene of the city to the full. I was thinking of keeping it to myself – but, sheer beauty like this deserves to be shared and enjoyed by all. If I lived near here, I would have gone up with a cup of coffee (or a glass of beer) in my hands and while away the day looking out at the view – as this thought struck me, I sighed at what might have been.

Hydrangeas at Taejongsa Temple (태종사 수국)

  • Morning mist shrouds the hydrangeas at Taejongsa Temple

  • Hydrangeas in full bloom

Taejongsa Temple is another of Busan's hidden gems. The best time to visit is surely when the hydrangeas are in full bloom. If you visit Taejongsa Temple early in June when the weather starts to get much warmer in Korea, you will be able to see these wonderful flowers in all their glory. Early in the morning, they seem to create a dreamlike view of beauty shrouded in the sea fog. It is said that Buddhist monks in the temple have brought and cultivated hydrangeas here from Japan, Netherlands, Thailand and China for over 40 years. Enjoy the view of hydrangeas bending in the wind and the effort that has brought them here from across the world.

Busan - a big port full of excitement in all seasons! In Korea, there is an old saying that people from the coast are rough-tempered. Nothing could be further from the truth! I met so many kind-hearted Busan people and they cheered me throughout my trip. You might be surprised at the strong Busan accent and the dialect, which are a little different from Seoul, but they only serve to enrich the unique culture of this great city. I wholeheartedly recommend you visit Busan and experience its sights, sounds and foods for yourself. And don't forget to enjoy the glamour of high-class hotels and bars that look out onto the beautiful sea!

  • Like

    5

  • Recommend

    0

  • Thumbs up

    0

  • Supporting

    0

  • Want follow-up article

    0
List
AMOREPACIFIC heritage ESG Less Plastic New Beauty Icon My Hashtag Behind talk A!People Creative Story A Column Makeup Artist Column Main
TOP

Follow us:

FB TW IG