Busan: Its Busy Streets & Landmarks

"Dynamic Busan"
May 25 - 27, 2012.


My days in Korea are already counted.  I barely have 5weeks left in this technology-driven, industrialized nation that was once the poorest country in the world by the end of the Korean War in 1953.  Because of this, I started planning for another great adventure.  Next Stop: Busan.  I've been to Seoul and its tourist spots for the nth time already and I don't want to spend my 5-day long weekend to that place again.  However, I have one very important transaction in Seoul hence I need to pass by the capital before my great adventure starts.


And so I decided to avail the KR Pass - a KTX train pass for frequent inter-province train users.  I weight on the pros and cons about this decision because the ticket can be expensive if not used properly (I hope to post about KR Pass soon).

KR Pass: 7KTX rides in 5days

Seoul Station: 2nd KTX Train from Seoul-Busan (2hrs 36min)

My KTX Train seat.

And so the travel continues. I left capital around 12:30pm and arrived south at 3:06pm. Because it was long weekend and it's already summer, thousands of people flocked to the city famous for beaches in Korea.  I actually got the last ticket for this train bound south.

Busan Station Train tracks

Busan Station

Busan Station grounds

Busan Station Park

This 5-day (mis)adventure was decided overnight due to lack of time for my important transaction - I need a 2-working day for this one (I was based in Daejeon and the office is in Seoul) and for my numbered days in Korea. I grab the 5day long weekend to explore and can at least say "I've been to South Korea." 

And so, having no prior knowledge about the city, I had to study a little bit in the station while waiting for my friend who joined me in this trip.  She is a Vietnamese student whose days are also numbered and wants to explore Korea before leaving.  She's the one taking my pictures here so I didn't ask strangers in this trip. HAHA!

JALGACHI MARKET

Jalgachi Market is the biggest and the most famous fish market in South Korea located on the edge of Nampo Port.  Having said that, the fishes here are definitely fresh from catch.  And you can definitely see never-before-seen fishes in this market.

The ground floor is dedicated to fresh fish restaurants.  This means that the fishes served are still alive before you ordered it.  They will kill and cook it in front of you.  Imagine yourself eating fishes in a pet shop with fishes like what you eat.  For the 2nd floor, there are more restaurants but the fishes are already dead waiting to be cooked for those who don't want to mess up with live fishes.  The 3rd floor includes different kinds of dried and preserved fishes.  The succeeding floors are offices, coffee shops, sauna and other multi-purpose halls.   Unfortunately,  I was not able to grab a photo in the wet market. Travel Tip: If you want to eat fresh fish from catch fishes, then this market is the place to be in South Korea.

Jalgachi Market

Dry fish market

Also, don't miss its viewing deck on the top floor where you would see the entire Nampo Port. 

At the viewing deck

From the viewing deck

Another one

From the viewing deck: Ships on formation

Aside from the viewing deck, you can also check out the terrace of the Jalgachi Market.  Hundreds of people go to this place just to hang out, get some fresh air and rest (locals) and take a scenic view of the ocean (foreigners).

With Linh at the Jalgachi Market Terrace

Jalgachi Market at the Terrace

Of course, there are also thousands of fish shops outside the biggest market.  And yes, it's like the fish market or palengke in the Philippines. I didn't ask the price so I actually don't know which is more expensive and which is cheaper.

Fish Stalls

The fish that caught my attention

BUSAN CITY DOWNTOWN
This is my first time to see real traffic in South Korea.  We went to Taejongdae for another sightseeing  (I hope to make a separate post for this). It was very traffic! We want to check out the famous Observatory and Lighthouse in Taejongdae. The travel time to Taejongdae from Busan station is approximately 45minutes but we end up traveling for 2hrs and 30minutes.  (Un)fortunately, it was Buddha's birthday the following day and there's a Temple in the Taejongdae area.  And everyone wants to visit that temple together with the sightseeing there so the traffic was really really bad.

On our way to Taejongdae

DOWNTOWN

Since I will have a separate post on Taejongdae, I will just talk about our city walks.  Busan's downtown is just like the shopping area in Seoul.  The shops, the number of people, street foods, restaurants, set-up, are basically the same.  Travel Tip: If you're hitting Busan just to compare it with Seoul's downtown or planning to go to Seoul to go shopping, better stay where you are and maximize your stay by exploring other parts of the city than travel all the way up or all the way down just to see it.

Busan Downtown

BUSAN TOWER

We also went to Yongdusan Park where the famous Busan tower is located, though we didn't go up the observatory anymore.  And so I don't know the price as well. It's good for sightseeing and getting the birds-eye-view of the entire Busan city.  We actually just rested up after more than 2hrs of walked. Travel Tip: There is an escalator going up to this place in the downtown area (but not the entire route). You might want to take that route if you just plan to trek. It might be less tiring than walking all the way up.

Giant Bell at Busan Tower

It's 6:10pm already!

SHINSEGAE BUSAN
Busan is also the home of the largest department store in the world.  Aside from the normal shops and restaurants in a department store, it also has golf driving range on its top floor, movie house, spa land, ice rink, repair shops, events hall and many more.  It's a one-stop shop for everyone's needs. Travel Tip:  A must-visit in Busan.  Yes, you can argue that it's just like any other mall but what you are after is it's Guinness record. After you entered, you can finally say you've been to the biggest department store in the world. Also, BEXCO is just a stone's throw away from this mall.

Shinsegae Department Store, Centum City

Shinsegae's Interior

BUSAN EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER (BEXCO)

We also visited BEXCO to witness the Busan International Motor Show 2012.  However, we went day during the first day of the event and so thousands of people want to be the "first" to see the event.  And so we were not able to enter the exhibition hall.  Nevertheless, there were a number of cars parked in the outdoor exhibition halls.  By the way, it's main exhibition hall is as large as three football fields combined. Travel Tip: If you go to Shinsegae, it's just across the street. Why not hit this place as well?

BEXCO: Busan Exhibition and Convention Center

Outdoor Exhibition Hall

UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA
In our Busan trip, we also went to the UN Memorial Cemetery for sightseeing.  The cemetery was built in honor to the soldiers who were killed during the Korean War in 1950-1953.  Travel Tip:  Just visit this place if you have the luxury of time.  Nothing much other than the tomb and some scenic view which you can find in other places.

UN Memorial Cemetery Entrance

UN Flag

UN Cemetery Grounds

UN Cemetery Grounds

BUSAN CITY TOUR

Lastly, to make your Busan trip more convenient, I suggest you avail the Busan City Tour.  It is very affordable and can hit most of the tourist spots - Busan Station, Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songdo Beach, Taejongdae National Park, Jalgachi Market, Shinsegae Department Store, UN National Cemetery and many more.You can already hop-on and hop-off the bus anytime you want.


Fee: 10,000won (400pesos). 8,000won if you have KTX train ticket for the day
Frequency: Runs every 30minutes and it starts from Busan Station. 
How to go: Go out of the Busan Station's main exit, turn left and just walk straight.
Where to purchase ticket: You can buy the ticket at Busan Station, it's main hub (outside the station) or the city tour bus driver at any bus stop.


Of course, it might be more expensive compared if you commute alone but it is way comfortable! And you don't need to study on how to go to the certain place! Travel Tip: If you take this tour, be sure to hit Taejongdae area since it's difficult to go to the place by taking public transportation (quite far).

Busan City Tour Bus

They also have theme tours. For more details you can check there website: Busan City Tour Bus.

This (mis)adventure was really fun! We've visited a lot of places in 3days.  I will write a separate post in my experience at the Busan Beaches and Taejongdae National Park. It was definitely worth it traveling for more than 2hrs just to see the beautiful rock-cliff-sea tourist spot.