Top 10 tourist attractions in Busan

　　Busan, full name Busan Metropolitan City, is located in the southeastern end of South Korea. It is the largest port and the second largest city in South Korea, and one of the busiest ports in the world. Busan is a vibrant coastal city with a magnificent coastline and unique urban landscape. Next, Travel Diary will sort out the top ten tourist attractions in Busan for everyone, let's take a look.

　　1. Haeundae

　　Busan's iconic Haeundae Beach is South Korea's most popular summer holiday destination, attracting tourists from all over South Korea and the world. The wide sandy beach has calm waters with an average depth of about 1 meter, making it an ideal place for summer swimming. The beach often hosts festivals and events, and has a lively atmosphere all year round. Opposite the beach is a trendy and modern area with high-end hotels, modern cafes and entertainment venues.

　　2. Gamcheon Culture Village

　　Gamcheon Culture Village is a colorful village located on a hillside outside of Busan. The village has been nicknamed "Santorini of the South Sea" and "Machu Picchu of Busan". The history of Gamcheon Culture Village dates back to the 1950s when it was a settlement for refugees during the Korean War. Over the years, this once impoverished area has been transformed into a vibrant community known for its colorful houses, artistic murals, and creative installations.

　　3. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

　　Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is located on the east coast of Busan. It is the only temple in South Korea located on the seaside, and the surrounding scenery is very beautiful. Yonggungsa Temple was founded by Master Lanweng in 1376 during the reign of King Yu of Goryeo. The geographical location of the temple, surrounded by mountains and rivers, makes it elegant yet unique. There are many landscapes in the temple, such as the Sea Goddess of Mercy, the Great Hall, the Dragon King Hall, the Cave Dharma Hall, and the three-story stone pagoda with four lions.

　　4. Taejongdae

　　Taejongdae is located in the southern part of Busan, connected to the "Yingdao" of the Busan Bridge. It is one of the most representative attractions of Busan's rocky coast. It is described by the Busan Tourism Development Bureau as a "happy world given by nature" and is also a national cultural heritage. Taejongdae has a walking path that extends along the rocky cliffs, overlooking Busan City and Daema Island. There are tables on the flat rock surface at the bottom of the Taejongdae Lighthouse, where you can enjoy fresh seafood while enjoying the sea view.

　　5. Busan Tower

　　Busan Tower (or Diamond Tower) soars skyward 120 meters from the center of the city’s Yongdusan Park—where you’ll find a forest-covered mountain reminiscent of a dragon’s head. Built in 1973 and modeled on Bulguksa Temple’s Dabotap Pagoda, the tower is an architectural icon of Korea’s second city. From the structure’s observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views that stretch across both land and sea.

　　6. Gwangalli Beach

　　Gwangalli Beach is a famous beach and one of Busan’s representative hot spots together with Gwangandaegyo Bridge. It is the closest beach to the city center and also a trendy meeting place for Busan’s youth. Along with its white sandy beach, Gwangalli is filled with diverse attractions such as restaurants serving delicious foods, coffee shops with an open view of the sea, exotic stores hidden in alleyways, and the Namcheon-dong Cherry Blossom Street, which shines with pink cherry blossoms in spring.

　　7. Beomeo-sa Temple

　　Beomeo-sa Temple is one of the greatest shrines in South Korea. It’s located high up on the eastern edge of Geumjeongsa Mountain, and is isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city. The temple’s Daeungjeon Hall is a well-preserved example of architecture from the Joseon Dynasty.You can also visit Iljoomoon Gate, a 3-story pagoda dating back to the 9th century. While Beomeo-sa Temple is not too far from the city in terms of distance, it has an aura of seclusion that attracts tourists looking for a city break.

　　8. Jagalchi Market

　　Jagalchi Market is one of the largest seafood markets in South Korea, with a variety of fresh and dried fish such as mackerel, sea squirt and crabs displayed on the roadside outside the market. This fish market is a prominent landmark that appears on every shopping list and provides visitors with a rare opportunity to experience the best of Korean seafood and local culture.

　　9. Songdo Marine Cable Car

　　Originally launched in 1964 as Korea's first cable car, the Songdo Beach attraction reopened in 2017, measuring a distance of 1.62km – four times what it was before its 1988 closure. There are 39 cars – 13 of them with glass floors – that traverse emerald waters, offering for surreal views of the hillsides and cliffs. The journey starts from a station next to Songnim Park on Songdo's east side, ending at an observatory station at Amnam Park in the west.

　　10. Samnak Ecological Park

　　Nestled on Dunchi Island, Samnak Ecological Park is a place where Busan residents come for relaxation and recreation in all seasons. Walking paths thread through the riverside greenspaces and locals can be seen playing baseball and soccer in the many sports fields. A haven for migratory birds, a wide variety of species can be spotted in the park throughout the year.