Hanh Nguyen

For tourists, Seoul is among the most amazing cities in Asia, motivating people to explore not only business and technology but also music and cinema. Busan is behind Seoul in terms of tourist numbers, results, and creativity in the aforementioned areas. However, its charms are equally attractive to tourists. In this coastal city, visitors can enjoy the pure air, a lifestyle that is not too hectic but still full of energy, and growing creativity, which inspires young people, especially when it comes to art.

Haeundae Beach

Peaceful Busan

After being in Seoul for a long time, I had the chance to visit Busan, and immediately fell in love with this peaceful coastal city. The streets are spacious and the people friendly and ready to help with anything. The greatest pleasure in Busan is to immerse yourself in nature, as many beaches await you. At the city’s famous beaches, including Haeundae, Gwangalli and Songjeong, you may find a relatively private space in one of many bustling restaurants and breathe in the salty sea breezes. Alternatively, you can join many activities on the beach, with sports events and festivals often held here.

Home to the most beautiful beaches in South Korea, Busan lures tourists with many activities and festivals that emphasize traditional elements. Summer is not the only time to visit Busan. This coastal city is also crowded with tourists in winter. People come here to admire the landscape, relax, and broaden their knowledge of the ocean and sea culture at a beach cultural center or the Institute of Oceanography.

If you feel like staying at a deserted beach to temporarily escape your hectic life, take the time to travel further. You may visit the national parks or take a ferry to Oryukdo Island, where magnificent cliffs overlook tranquil white sand beaches and seagulls flap above the waves. Visitors can delight in both the sea and the mountains in Busan. Centuries-old sacred temples like Beomeosa and Haedong Yonggungsa offer fantastic views, being set on high ground facing the sea. Both Busan residents and visitors love to hike along forest trails. There are trails of all kinds, with various levels of difficulty, offering tourists three- to five-hour hikes full of unforgettable experiences.

Sand sculptures on Haeundae Beach

A land of artistic inspirations

I found Busan to be a friendly and open-minded city, with many beauty spots and festivals that welcome visitors, especially young people, with the aim of spreading positive messages through culture and art. For example, a visit to Gamcheon Cultural Village reveals how art has breathed life into this village, which was still little-known a decade ago. Efforts to develop this village into a creative community have given Gamcheon a new look. Since each house is a work of art,  the whole village is like a lively art gallery.

There are many community activities to look forward to in Busan, such as the sand sculpture festival on Haeundae – South Korea’s most beautiful beach; the cherry blossom festival and the moon-gazing festival in honor of traditional artistic values; the rock & roll festival, where Korean and international rock bands gather; the national dance and music performance festival; the Busan Sea Festival with water sports events and art performances,; the Busan International Film Festival – one of the most important annual events for Asia’s film industry; etc.