10 things to do in Busan
Whether you crave beautiful beaches, ancient temples or anchovy sushi, the city has it covered, writes Daniel Allen
Cultural road trip
A green jewel in Korea's tourist crown, the ancient city of Gyeongju is only 50 minutes by bus from Busan. Dating back more than 2,000 years, it was once capital of the Silla dynasty, the greatest of the Three Kingdoms of the Korean peninsula, and is still considered the region's cultural capital. Daereungwon is the largest tomb complex in Korea, with 23 grass-covered tumuli, and Seokguram Grotto and Bulguk Temple were both awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 1995.
Busan has long been famous in South Korea for its naturally hot waters. One hot spring in the Dongnae area is recorded in the , a book of legends, stories and historical accounts from the 13th century. The city's most famous hot spring is Heosimcheong Spa, one of the largest spa complexes in Asia. Attached to the Hotel Nongshim, it spans several floors and boasts hot, tepid, cold and strawberry milk-filled pools, as well as hot sand baths and saunas. A great way to relax after a day on your feet.
Busan has long been the seafood capital of Korea. The city's Jagalchi Market (East Asia's largest), run by an army of salty (literally aunties, but most often used to describe married women), offers a mind-boggling array of fresh aquatic produce supplied daily from around the country. The narrow walkways outside Jagalchi's two main buildings are where the action is most hectic. Open-air stalls offer dried flatfish, moray eels and cuttlefish, while tables groan under the weight of huge purple octopuses, buckets of sea squirts and spiny sea urchins. The market is easily reached by subway. Get off at either Jagalchi or Nampo stations on Line One and then ask for directions. It's five minutes from either station.
