Overview
Enjoy the highlights of this larger than life city.
Busan will surprise you. Though it flies under the radar for most people visiting Korea, it does deliver. The terrain is mountainous and they criss-cross through the city. The coastline is the highlight of its urban landscape. The traffic is awful and sometimes feels endless but entertaining nonetheless as you wind through street scenes that show both the past and the present life here.
The Jagalchi Fish Market will be your first stop. It sits at the water's edge and is the largest of all fish markets in South Korea. It actually has two main sections: one for fresh seafood, another for dried seafood. It is, as all fish markets are, a bit wet and very busy. All types of fish and seafood line the aisles. Above you is another level which houses small kitchens manned by those stalls that will cook. Your guide will help you select fish or seafood and will help you decide how you would like it made. You can have your selection of fish or seafood in a sashimi, or soup, or sautéed style, or just about whatever you want. You will find yourself sitting on the floor, shoes off to the side, among the locals and your table will be littered with accompaniments of all kinds to compliment your dish. This very authentic experience will stay with you forever.
Satiated, you can walk out the door and just a few blocks away, find yourself at the Gukje Market for a special treat, a hotteok. The system alone for making hotteoks is fascinating, a quick grilled circle of batter, filled with sunflower seeds covered with cinnamon and popped into a cup sounds so simple. And the lines continue all day long but move quickly so by the time you reach the stand, you are ready to partake. You may wish to hang around the market or move on to other local sights; there are so many.
Gamcheon Culture Village is an unusual stop and worth your time. First inhabited in the early 1900s by followers of the Taegeukdo religion which focuses on the polarity of the Ying and the Yang. It ultimately became host to many refugees of the Korean War as people fled south to escape. This community was transformed in 2010 into an arts and culture village. At that time several abandoned buildings were converted into exhibition spaces, art shops and cultural facilities. You will find the several pieces of art that are scattered throughout the alleyways and on the sides of exterior walls. The whole neighborhood is comprised of candy-colored homes and art installations you can discover as you climb the hills and down the stairs. Visitors can buy a map of the area and find stamps at different locations around the neighborhood as witness to their visit.
People in Asia value nature and every city has parks that are really used by the locals. In Busan one of the most popular is Taejongdae Park located at the southern most tip of Yeongdo-gu. The park is popular not only with tourists but locals who come with all their family members, especially on the weekends. At the very most southern tip of the Taejongdae there is an observatory along with coastal walking trails along the rocky cliff face and a light house. Through-out the island you find a temple, a gun shooting range, walking trails, hot springs, boat cruises, museums and plenty of restaurants offering very fresh fish. Taejongdae Park Busan offers some stunning views of the ocean from the cliffs. On a clear day you can see a Japanese Island called Daema Island. As you will have limited time, your guide will help you determine what to see and do here.
- Lunch is not included. It would be tradition and also beneficial to include your guide for lunch, who can translate and direct the cook with your choices.
- Admissions are included.
- Gratuities are not included.
- As you will be walking during portions of this tour, please wear comfortable shoes. We recommend dressing in layers.
- This tour of this itinerary may change.
- The Jagalchi Fish Market is closed on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 09:00 AM, duration: 8 hours
