Busan, International Port City

Busan, located in the southeastern coastal area of the Korean Peninsula, is the country’s second largest city after Seoul and the most famous trade port city in Korea. Due to the geographical conditions of this dynamic city, most of its tourist attractions can be found near the sea, for example, beaches with fine sand, precipitous rocky cliffs along the coast, and Buddhist temples in coastal areas. Busan is also a major shopping city where visitors can enjoy a variety of shopping experiences at numerous department stores, outlets for prestigious international brands, and traditional markets. Especially, the Centum City Mall is the largest single shopping mall in Asia. These days, the interesting combination of old and new in Busan has come under the spotlight. Small narrow alleys that recall the atmosphere of the 1970s coexist harmoniously with skyscrapers, attracting many visitors to the city. Haeundae’s Moontan Road, a walking trail starting from Dalmaji Hill, is one of the must-visit places in Busan, along with Nurimaru APEC House on Dongbaekseom Island, where world leaders gathered together for an APEC summit in 2005. In addition, Busan is the host city of the Busan International Film Festival which has been held every October since 1996. For foreign tourists, there is a wide range of accommodation at reasonable prices and a profusion of affordable restaurants serving unique local foods.