Busan

Ships berth at Busan Port International Cruise Terminal, where Korean music and dance welcome arriving passengers.

The city provides free shuttles, taking around 30 minutes from the cruise terminal to a drop-off in Nampodong.

This is primarily a commercial harbour rather than a visitor destination.

Home to almost four million people, Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and its biggest seaport. The harbour gives it an international character, with mariners from around the world joined increasingly by tourists, mainly from China, Japan and Russia.

Beomeo-sa Temple, reached from Beomeosa subway station, is one of Korea’s Great 5 Temples. This extensive mountain complex feels far more remote from the city than its distance of only a few kilometres suggests.

Taejongdae is among Pusan’s celebrated attractions, with a white lighthouse overlooking green water. Visitors eat fresh raw fish on the rocky coast, cruise around the Olyuk Islands—meaning five or six—and see the well-known Suicide Rock. In clear weather, Daema Island is visible 56 km away. The observation platform has beautiful views, and the white lighthouse against the green sea appears particularly exotic. Although the entrance-to-lighthouse walk is long, a shuttle leaves from the shops.

Busan’s hop-on, hop-off tour runs every 30 minutes on the Haeundae route and every 40 minutes on the Taejongdae circuit.

The Taejongdae route stops near the terminal. Exit the harbour gates, turn left towards the Maritime Museum, then walk slightly uphill behind it to the main road, where the hop-on, hop-off stop is directly ahead. Continue by subway if required.

Busan Subway’s three lines connect its bus terminals with almost every major attraction. Journeys cost W1,100 or 1,300 according to distance; keep the ticket until leaving. English signs and announcements make navigation straightforward.

Taxis are plentiful on Busan’s streets. Standard vehicles begin at W1800 for the first two kilometres, then add W100 for every 169m. Black-and-red deluxe taxis charge W4200 for the first 3 km, followed by W200 for each 199m.

Independent exploration is practical because the area is fairly safe and Koreans are welcoming. Carry printed destination details to show taxi drivers for the clearest results.

Busan is much too extensive to explore entirely on foot, although individual districts such as Gwangalli Beach and Yongdusan Park are best seen while walking.

Most Korean cities operate regularly scheduled sightseeing-bus routes, providing visitors with a convenient and reasonably priced way to take a closer look around. Passengers can often leave and rejoin the service at whichever attractions they choose.

International Market sits near Biff Square, where the shuttle stops. Its network of small streets covers a large area, so take care not to become lost.

Ja-galchi Fish Market is also close to the shuttle. Busan is famous for this essential attraction, whose stalls display freshly caught fish and numerous other living sea creatures.

South Korea uses the won. As an approximate guide, 1 US$= approx 1000 won.

ATMs are widespread, but most Korean machines reject overseas cards; only designated Global ATMs accept them. These appear at airports, selected subway stations in large cities and many Family Mart convenience shops, so withdraw cash before rural travel. Card acceptance is otherwise excellent, with all but the cheapest restaurants and motels taking Visa and Mastercard.

Korean is spoken, while English is reasonably common, especially among younger people who often enjoy practising with English-speaking visitors.

South Korea is described as the world’s most connected country. Internet cafés called PC bang are ubiquitous nationwide, and most coffee shops provide Wi-Fi.

Dial 112 for the police in an emergency.

Shopping hours are Mon-Sun 1030-2000.