Busan, South Korea

Nicknamed "Machu Picchu of Korea," this hillside community is simply breathtaking. The foothills of the Coast Mountains were initially inhabited by Korean War refugees who built simple houses on stilts. The hillsides and today's terraced village seem to blend perfectly into the hills, with colorful houses, vibrant murals, modern sculptures and craft shops making a striking impression. Climb to the peak and grab a coffee at the scenic hilltop café.

The seafront city of Busan is famous for its fresh seafood and one of the best places to try it is at Jagalchi Market. This friendly local market specializes in fresh fish from the sea, ready to be sliced ​​and eaten in front of your eyes. raw. Other local delicacies include crab, scallops, sannakji (sliced ​​raw octopus) and conger eel. Be sure to try a hot bowl of haemultang, the famous local spicy seafood soup made with shellfish, herbs and seasoned with gochujang (red pepper paste).

Songdo Beach is one of Busan's main attractions. But don't worry if you don't like sunbathing; This 800-metre stretch of soft, golden sand is surrounded by activities that make it suitable for all visitors. Songdo Cloud Walk is a 365-meter elevated walkway with a transparent glass floor that creates the illusion of walking on the ocean, while Busan Air Cruise is a dramatic cable car with 39 cabins, including options with transparent floors that transport you over the sea.

Busan's most famous beach, this stunning white sand beach stretches over 1.5 km along the coast, lapped by shallow sea and gentle waves. Set against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers, including the 411.6-meter high Haeundae LCT, the Sharp , South Korea's second tallest building, is the perfect setting for cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Other local attractions include SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium, Goeun Contemporary Photo Museum and The Bay 101, an arts and culture center complex.

Just steps from Haeundae Beach, this is one of the city's most popular spots for shopping and dining. Although often visited by tourists, Haeundae Market maintains a traditional atmosphere and specializes in highly authentic local cuisine, including fresh seafood. Discover a variety of food stalls selling Korean sashimi, ocean-fresh shellfish, fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices, as well as steaming pots filled with rich and aromatic stews. Don't miss the local specialty Nakgopsae, a spicy casserole made with octopus, shrimp and beef small intestines.

Not far from Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach is another stretch of soft sand that invites holidaymakers to chill out and soak up the sun. Overlooking the impressive Gwangandaegyo Bridge. which spans the bay, this 1.4km-long beach is a haven of water sports, especially stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Alternatively, dine at the local restaurants and cafés or take a short stroll to Millak Waterfront Park. After dark, this is a romantic spot to watch the twinkling lights of the bay.

With its calm waters, Gwangalli Beach is the home of water sports in Busan. Taking advantage of this, Gwangalli SUP Zone was set up in 2020 and includes equipment rental, a beach bar and photo zone.

Stretching 7.4km across the bay in front of Gwangalli Beach, Gwangandaegyo Bridge (also known as “Busan 66”) is illuminted with thousands of LED lights, creating an amazing spectacle after the sunsets.

Busan’s first major theme park opened its doors on 31st March 2022. Lotte, the South Korean hospitality and leisure giant, took five years to build this attraction, but it has been worth the wait. At 15.8 hectares, larger than Seoul's original Lotte World, the park includes six zones (Underland, Wonder Woods, Royal Garden Zone, Joyful Meadows, River Village of Tinker Falls, and Rainbow Springs) with 17 rides and attractions, including Giant Digger, a 105 km/h fast roller coaster with three 360-degree loops!

Spreading over 366 acres, this massive recreation area contains a variety of attractions to keep young and old entertained for hours, including a retail outlet mall, golf club, science museum, luge ride and the new Lotte World Adventure theme park, which opening March 31, 2022 .

Built on the site of Busan’s former airport, next to the Suyoung River, Centum City is a vast commercial and residential area that houses a wealth of attractions for locals and tourists alike. The shopping is exceptional, with two vast department stores (Shinsegae and Lotte), multiple restaurants, the Busan Cinema Center, wellness facilities and a waterside park. For culture seekers, the Busan Museum of Art features five floors of galleries and exhibitions, as well as an outdoor sculpture park.

Opened in 2021, Skyline Luge lets you experience the thrill of hurtling downhill in a luge cart! The ride begins with a chairlift to take passengers to the top of the hill. You can then plunge down a choice of four twisting, high-speed tracks.

Shinsegae Centum City is officially the largest shopping complex in the world, boasting more than 620 well-known brands, a cinema, spa, golf range and even an ice rink!