Busan, located on the south east coast of South Korea, is the second largest city in the country and one of the busiest container ports in the world. As with other cities in this intriguing country, Busan is often overlooked as a tourist destination; most travellers to South Korea choose to only see the capital city, Seoul. Busan is very welcoming to visitors and offers plenty of tourist attractions. At the top of that list is arguably Haeundae Beach, which is situated in the south east of the city. This beautiful sandy beach stretches for miles along the coast and is particularly busy during late July and early August when Koreans tend to take their summer holidays. Elsewhere in the city, Jagalchi Fish Market is popular with locals and visitors alike looking to enjoy the freshest of seafood prepared in the traditional Korean way. Film enthusiasts will be interested to know that an international film festival is held in the city each year during October with the aim of showcasing Asian talent on a global stage. For those looking for spirituality, a hike to Seon Buddhist Beomeosa Temple is a spectacular way to spend the day and, last but not least, shopaholics can entertain their credit cards in Shinsegae Centum City Department Store, the world's largest shopping complex. So, for those adventurous travellers who do decide to explore Busan, there are more than enough attractions to make the trip worthwhile.
Busan overview
When to fly to Busan
Busan has a pleasant, sub-tropical climate; the hottest months are June, July and August with a highest average temperature of 29 degrees C in August. The coolest months are December, January and February, when temperatures can fall on average as low as -1 degrees C. September and October probably offer the most comfortable temperatures and have the benefit of much less rainfall when compared to the rainiest month of July. In terms of prices, the peak season falls in July and August; other busy periods include the Dalmaji Moon Welcoming Festival in the middle of January and the Harvest Moon Festival which lasts three days in mid-September.
Getting around Busan
Busan has a four-line underground rail network which provides an easy access to most parts of the city. There is also an extensive bus network as well as numerous taxi firms to choose from. A good tip whilst travelling around Busan, is to purchase a travel card which can be used to pay for travel on buses, trains and taxis providing significant discounts on travel costs.