5 Things to Do in Busan, South Korea
Busan: Modern Metropolis, Reinvented Space, and Traditional Culture
Busan sits along the East China Sea at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. This dynamic coastal city blends natural beauty, modern convenience, and traditional charm. Its bustling seafood markets and vibrant art scene thrive in creatively repurposed spaces. Tranquil monasteries and soft sand beaches provide a peaceful contrast to the city’s energy.
Easily accessible from Seoul by a three-hour journey on the high-speed rail makes getting there convenient. As South Korea’s second-largest city, with a population of approximately 3.3 million, it is a high-tech hub and a major shipping port, yet maintains a relaxed and inviting coastal retreat vibe.
1. Visit Jagalchi Fish Market
From my recent visit, exploring Jagalchi Fish Market was an impressive introduction to the local culture and regional food. A dizzying variety of fresh seafood and daily vendors make this market one of South Korea’s most extensive and fascinating. Inside the pavilion and along the city streets, over 100 vendor stalls showcase an impressive array of sea creatures. Baskets, tables, and water tanks overflow with abalone, tiger shrimp, eels, mollusks, crustaceans, octopus, kelp, and both – salt-dried and fresh fish. Options include flounder, trout, salmon, rockfish, and more.
What makes the market even more captivating are the vendors – mostly women known as “Ajumma.” meaning wives or middle-aged women. The tradition dates back to the early 1950s when most men left for war, leaving women to take over the trade. Today, their lively presence adds to the charm of this lively seafood haven
Fresh seafood can be delivered to an upstairs restaurant for preparation and dining, but if those who desire “sashimi” style freshness, there’s no need to wait. During my visit, a friendly ajumma deftly demonstrated her craft. With the skill of a surgeon, she plucked an abalone from the tank, and within seconds pried it open, removed the flesh, and sliced it into bite-size chunks. After a thorough rinse, she presented it fresh and ready to eat. The firm, crunchy texture, and mild, briny flavors confirmed its freshness and likely harvested from the sea just hours before. Consuming uncooked seafood carries a certain risk, and this blog cannot take responsibility for the consequences of trying this option. That said, sashimi and raw seafood have been a staple for locals for generations, providing not only sustenance but a cultural connection to the sea.
2. Wander Through Gamcheon Art Community
The transformation of dilapidated homes into a colorful, somewhat whimsical, art community attracting an estimated 1.4 million travelers per year, is a story worth experiencing. Located on a hilltop in a small canyon with views of the East China Sea, the Gamcheon Art community is an impressive example of creativity and renewal.
Historically, Busan housed the working class and poor. In the 1920s and 1930s, the area was home to the port workers, far enough to be outside the city’s core yet close enough to provide labor. Following the Korean War, refugees flocked to Busan, as one of the few areas never occupied by North Korean forces during the war. As a result, neighborhoods like Gamcheon evolved into refugee camps and shanty towns.
Homes, often poorly built, fell into disrepair over time, resulting in unsafe living conditions by the 1980s. Multifamily dwellings, poor water and sewage facilities, an aging population, and many abandoned structures created a bleak setting in decline.
But with the 2009 cultural village project, launched by the city government, creative and artistic revitalization began. A Residents’ Council was set up to promote the quality of life, including repair and renovation, art decoration, and opening of local businesses. Grants were provided to art students, professional artists, and residents to renovate and decorate the structures with art.
Today, Gamcheon features more than sixty pieces of public art installed by residents, along with several art galleries and cafes. Significant renovations to homes have revitalized the community into a colorful and active hub for locals and visitors. A stroll through the winding main street, narrow side lanes, and the vibrantly colored paster homes provide a glimpse into the impressive transformation.
3. Experience F1963, a Repurposed Industrial Space
Another success story of Busan’s innovative approach to repurposing space, F1963 is an inspiring project that converted an industrial wire factory into a contemporary hub for art, culture, and dining. Originally established as a wire factory in 1963, the space was reimagined into a cultural complex in 2008. The soulless warehouse space, no longer a factory, now houses a peaceful garden, a bookstore, an art space with rotating exhibits, live performances, and a farm-to-table dining experience.
During my visit, an exhibition sponsored by Hyundai, “Plastic: Remaking Our World,” showcased innovative ideas. It featured recycled and Eco-friendly materials, including products made from waste plastic bottles and discarded fishing nets.The F1963 Art Library and Bookstore provides a mixed collection of fine arts, architecture, photography, and music. It features materials from both Eastern and Western art, sourced from specialized publishers, museums, and galleries. In recognition of its industrial roots, the interior design features repurposed machinery from the wire factory, blending past with present.
F1963 brings new energy to its industrial past and stands as an example of how to revitalize spaces that have outlived their original purpose.
4. Visit Beomeosa Temple
Sitting on floor cushions across from a fit, serene monk with a shaved head in a simple canvas robe, he posed the question: “What makes you do this?” while bending his index finger to bend down and then back up. Our host explained that this was a question posed to monks by their teacher. He shared the various answers from students, to which the teacher instructed, “Go back and meditate on this.”
He poured us another cup of green tea from a small pot with each movement careful, purposeful, and precise. What began as a seemingly simple question sparked a broader discussion about monastery teachings and what spurs any of us to do what we do.
Beomeosa Temple, founded in 678 AD, provides a serene retreat for meditation and reflection. Built on the site of the legendary “Geumsaem” (Golden Fountain), this never-drying mountain spring is believed to have mystical properties. People from all walks of life can attend meditation sessions in any of its pavilions. Visitors only need to arrive, remove shoes before entering a pavilion, and begin practice.
During my visit on a November morning, the temple was active with resident monks and pilgrims practicing their prayers. Soothing chants drifted through the grounds. Orange, red, and golden yellow leaves from maple and gingko trees contrasted beautifully with the intricately painted flying eave pavilions in green, blue, purple, red, yellow, and black.
5. Explore Gukje Street Market
Eating is a cherished cultural pastime in South Korea. While I could devote an entire blog to the topic, I’ll highlight one culinary experience that captures Busan’s flavor. Just a five-minute stroll from Jagalchi seafood market, Gukje Street Market awaits.
The food stalls are lively and colorful. They offer freshly made dishes with quick service and a chance to sample a variety of Busan’s street food.
One of my favorites was tteokbokki, soft pillowy rice cakes, and fish cakes in a bright orange, spicy (but not fiery) sauce. Other highlights included crisp, golden-fried vegetable and pork dumplings prepared on flat top grill and fresh vegetarian gimbop wraps. Other options include grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or ssiat hotteok, sweet-style pancakes fried on a flat grill and stuffed with a mix of nuts and seeds.
Final Thoughts
Beyond the food market, this lively area showcases Korea’s cinematic influence in a colorful, eye-catching way. Highlights include the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Plaza and shopping. Kitschy sidewalk imprints and tributes to famous Korean actors and directors resemble the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Playful street art and sculptures make it a feast for both the eyes and taste.
This is just a taste of Busan. There is certainly more to explore: a colorful after-dark drone show, a commemorative UN Memorial Cemetery, a Cultural Museum, a relaxing walk, or a refreshing swim on Haeundae Beach for a walk on the beach.
And getting there from Seoul is convenient, comfortable, and relatively quick on the high-speed Korean Express Train (KTX). The train covers 259 miles (417 km) in approximately 2.5 hours with multiple daily departures to stations conveniently located in each city’s central area makes South Korea’s second city a must-see.
