3 Days Busan Tour

3 Days Busan Tour

Highlights

• 3 days private tour from Seoul to Busan
• Explore the busy alleyways of the Jagalchi Market and enjoy fresh fish !
• Take in the scenery of Busan’s dynamic and colorful city and coastline at Yongdusan Park
• Go shopping at Busan’s movie district
• Get some good deals at the city’s most popular traditional markets
• Explore Taejongdae Park and go on a ferry tour along the shore lines and islands
• Take in the spectacular view from the fine-sand Gwanganri Beach and Gwangandaegyo Bridge
• Go to the most popular beach in Korea, Haeundae
• Take the ferry to Oedo Botania and its majestic European-style botanical garden
• Prepare yourself to be awestruck by the impressive high cliffs of Haegeumgang Island
• Relax along the wooden promenade at the peaceful Windy Hill
• Visit Jangsado Island, the filming location of the mysterious island where Do Min Joon teleported Cheon Song Yi to (My love from the star)
• Visit the very picturesque Gamcheon Culture Village with its quirky artworks
• Get to see Haedong Yonggungsa, one of the rare seaside temples in Korea
• Get thrilled while enjoying one of the best views on Oryukdo Skywalk

Minimum travelers 2     Duration 3 days

Overview

Busan is the second city of Korea, visitors can enjoy the beautiful shorelines, beach and taste fresh food at the local market!  This is a 3 days private tour departure from Seoul. On day 2 we will also visit the Paraside Island Odeo Botania or Korean drama shooting location Jangsado.

Description

DAY 1

Jagalchi Fish Market

Situated near Nampo Port, Jagalchi Fish Market is composed of an outdoor market and an indoor market located in its six-story building. It is one of the biggest fish markets in the country, especially for its dried seafood section. While walking among the market’s various alleys you will find a myriad of aquariums and display stands with fresh fish, shellfish, dried seafood and rare species which are difficult to find in other regions of the world! One of the highlight of the market is that you can choose your product and have it prepared at one of the numerous restaurants before savoring it. They sell the products at very reasonable prices. You can enjoy delicious raw fish dishes, marinated crabs, dried sea food and so on! Briquette-roasted sea eels with a spicy marinade are one of the most popular dishes among visitors! (The Jagalchi Festival takes place in October)

BIFF Square

The Busan International Film Festival Square was named like this after the first Busan International Film Festival took place in 1996. Originally the place was composed of nothing more than some movie theaters built following Korea’s liberation from the Japanese colonial rule 70 years ago. The movie district has been modernized in preparation of the festival and it has now become an important cultural tourist attraction in Busan. Today, the street not only features cinemas but also many leisure and shopping places as well as various souvenir and food stands.
Every year during the ceremony preceding the beginning of the festival, several famous movie stars have their hand printed on the street.

Gukje Market

At a walking distance from the Jalgachi Fish Market, Gukje Market is the largest traditional market in Busan! The place was originally set up by refugees who needed to make a living during the Korean War, and it grew into a large busy market. Visitors will find hundreds of products to buy there, going from used everyday items, fruits and vegetables, electronic products, to imported goods sold at very reasonable prices. The market is  especially appreciated for its delicious street food! Situated just across from it, Kkangtong Market also offers many things like cookwares or good quality clothes. The markets’ busy stores and alleys are really fascinating!

Yongdusan Park & Busan Tower

*Observatory of Busan Tower is temporary closed until further notices.

Yongdusan, which means “dragon’s head mountain”, is one of the most popular mountains in Busan and was named like this because of its particular shape. Planted with diverse species of trees, the park features the 118-meter-high Busan Tower and its observatory from which visitors can admire Busan’s dynamic and colorful city and coastline. In Yongdusan Park you will find a statue of the naval hero Yi Sun Sin, various monuments and pavilions, but also several interesting museums. Among them, the Museum of World Folk Instruments where visitors can try playing some unique instruments made from fruits or human knee bones, and the Exhibition Hall of World Model Boats.

Taejongdae

Situated on the southernmost tip of Yeongdo-gu, Taejongdae is a must-see national park for anyone coming for the first time in Busan. It was named after the 29th King of the Silla Dynasty, King Taejong, who practiced archery here after unifying the Three Kingdoms. The park is quite a vast area, taking several hours to be entirely visited. Therefore visitors can ride a small train -Danubi train- which will drive them towards the main touristic attractions such as the lighthouse, the observatory, the pebble beach, a Buddhist temple and so on. The path going down the cliff provides spectacular views of the sea, so prepare your camera! When the weather is nice, you can see Daema Island -or Tsushima- in the distance.

Gwanganri Beach

Gwanganri Beach is a fine-sand beach stretching on 1.4km, west of Haeundae Beach. It is located in a bay crossed by the Gwangan Bridge and is lined with numerous restaurants, coffee shops and nightclubs. The area also features a cultural center, a museum, theaters and many other things. Recently the city officials launched a water cleaning program, which greatly helped in improving the beach water quality, as it is now crystal clear! Several water sports are available, such as jet skiing and windsurfing.

Gwangandaeggyo Bridge

Gwangandaegyo is a suspension bridge facing the Gwanganri Beach and stretching over 7,4km above the sea. It is the second longest bridge in Korea, after the Incheon Bridge. The view from the Bridge is spectacular as you can admire the never ending sea and many of Busan popular attractions such as Oryukdo Island or Hwangnyeongsan Mountain. At night the bridge is sparkling with lights that changes every day, creating a spectacular sight and exuding a very romantic atmosphere.

Haeundae Beach

Haeundae is really popular among Koreans and foreigners and considered as the most famous beach in Korea! Stretching on 1.5km, it is famous for its various cultural events and festivals held throughout the year such as the sand festival or football games projections. In the summertime it is packed with many vacationers who relax under the sun or go swimming in the clear water, and also try many Korean traditional games such as wrestling or seesaw jumping at the beach folk square. There are luxurious hotels, small restaurants and there is a popular fishing area at the end of the area. In 2008, Haeundae Beach entered the Guinness Book of Records for the most parasols on a beach. (Sand Festival in June)

DAY 2

OPTION 1

Oedo Botania

Accessible by ferry, Oedo-Botania is a majestic botanical garden on Oedo Island which is part of the Hallyeo Marine National Park. The garden is full with artistically pruned trees and bushes, exotic vegetal species and a myriad of flowers, as well as elegant European-style sculptures. When coming down the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, visitors can view the beautiful garden and the seascape in the background, creating a memorable scenery. A magnificent terrace landscaping lines both sides of the stairway, and various paths allow visitors to go down to admire the crashing waves of the South Sea.

Oedo-Botania was created by a fisherman and his wife who came to live on Oedo Island 40 years ago. They started their project in the deepest secret and finally opened those exquisite gardens to the public in 1995. This paradise Island is clearly a must-see!

Haegeumgang Island

Also part of the Hallyeo Marine National Park, Haegeumgang Island is a rock island boasting really high steep cliffs. Embarking on a small boat, visitors will get a fascinating view of the height of the island’s naturally sharp rock walls. The island is crossed by Haegeumgang River, forming an impressive cave called Shipjagul in the center.

In the past the island used to be popular for its various kinds of herbs, but nowadays many fishermen come to catch particular species of fish while standing perilously on the island’s rocks.

Windy Hill

Located in the Northern part of Dojangpo fishing village, the Windy Hill became popular among visitors after having been featured in several popular dramas and TV shows in the early 2000s.

Visitors can explore this picturesque place walking along the wooden promenade from the ferry quays and towards the hill while admiring the clear seascape and green landscape. People gather to take photos around the lovely windmill facing the ocean gentle waves. The village exudes a really peaceful atmosphere, which is perfect for visitors who want to relax at the end of a long day of visiting the region. There are tiny cafes and stores by the walkways.

OPTION 2

Jangsado Island

Jangsado Island is the filming location of the mysterious island where Do Min Joon teleported Cheon Song Yi to. The camellia flowers create a picturesque view in early spring on Jangsado Island.
Jangsado Island is a small island which is only 400 m wide, and 1.9 km long, reaching an altitude of 108 m. The island’s name derives from its long shape, which makes it look like a silkworm. A tunnel made with camellia trees welcomes the visitors of Jangsado Island.

There are approximately 100,000 trees on the island, among which we can of course find numerous camellia trees but also silver magnolias and many other varieties. It is also inhabited by beautiful fairy pitta birds, a local species, and white eye birds. Local plants representative of Jangsado Island include aerides and dendrobium monile. One of the observatory platforms on the island, offering great ocean views. It is very charming, with a breathtaking view overlooking the sea and other islands.

DAY 3

Gamcheon Culture Village

Our tour guide will lead you in this labyrinthine and picturesque village’s narrow alleys. The Gamcheon Culture village, also called “Korea’s Santorini” or “Lego Village”, is tightly packed with small vibrant-colored houses decorated with lovely artworks such as mural painting and quirky sculptures. Going up the steep hill you will cross paths with the statue of The Little Prince and his fox, peacefully watching over the village. You will also find numerous souvenir shops, snack stands and cafes. Photographers will surely be able to take wonderful pictures while wandering and exploring this unique village’s streets.

During the Korean War, Gamcheon was a refuge for people as Busan was one of the only areas of the peninsula that remained free from fighting. The village was also the headquarters of Taegeukdo members who believed in the “yin and yang” philosophy”. Following this, the construction of village is done in such a way that no house blocks any other house behind it, letting everyone to prosper.

Oryukdo Skywalk

The Oryukdo Skywalk is a recently launched attraction which represents the dividing point between the East Sea and the South Sea. There you can enjoy one of the best views of Oryukdo island! The hoof-shaped glass-bottomed bridge has been safely set up over a 35 meter high cliff and stretches over 15 meters, providing strong sensations to its visitors. You will be able to observe the crashing waves and enjoy the sea air, maybe even see Daema Island in the distance, and it is clearly a good photo spot. If the thrills and spills are for you, you shouldn’t miss it !

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Haedong Yonggunsa is one of the rarest temples in Korea and it’s near the coastlines! Originally built in 1376 during the Goryeo Dynasty, this temple is home to numerous Buddhist treasures such as the Statue of the Great Goddess Buddha of Mercy in the Sea, Daeungjeon Sanctuary, Yongwangdang Shrine, and a three-story pagoda with four lions symbolizing joy, anger, sadness and happiness, all of them looking out over the sea. Visitors can go down the 108 steps towards the sea and take in the spectacular scenery of the shoreline.