Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Days 5-6
The port city of Busan, South Korea's second largest and home to the largest foreign popu-
lation outside the greater Seoul area, warrants a couple of days of exploration. After a night
in a hotel, preferably in the Busan Station area, cross the road and take a stroll through the
Texas Street/Chinatown neighborhood. The area can be a bit racy at night but, with its odd
mix of tourists, sailors, and Russian and Chinese-owned businesses, is a good illustration
of the city's cultural blend during daylight hours—as well as a fine spot for a brunch of
noodles or dumplings. A walk to the summit of nearby Yongdusan Park, topped with the
Busan Tower, will highlight the city's scope and afford some sweeping views of the busy
port, or you can take the subway straight to the new city center of Seomyeon and drop by
some real estate agents and department stores to collect some data on prices in the area.
Late afternoon and evening should be devoted to exploring the somewhat ramshackle, but
atmospheric, old downtown and the waterfront Jagalchi Market, treasured by locals for its
flapping-fresh seafood.
Spend the next day in the Haeundae Beach district, where many of Busan's expatriates
make their homes. Always associated with relative prosperity, this area's taken on an even
glitzier cast in recent years with the addition of Shinsegae Centum City, currently the
world's largest department store, and the Busan Cinema Center, home base of Asia's largest
annual film festival. Busan Foreign School is also located in Haeundae, so you may want to
tour its facilities if you have school-age children, or arrange some viewings of the district's
shiny new seaside condominiums for an idea of the size and quality of accommodations on
offer. If time permits, take a taxi to magnificent Beomeosa Temple, but be sure to return
to the streets around Haeundae's beachfront or nearby Dalmaji Hill for a wide selection of
restaurants and nightspots and a look at how Busan's well-heeled socialize.
