Join us on an exciting weekend adventure to Busan, South Korea's bustling coastal city. From pristine beaches to historic temples and vibrant cultural experiences, this itinerary is packed with delightful activities that will make your trip unforgettable. Let's dive right into the details!
Photo by Minku Kang on Unsplash
Transportation
This trip was a last minute decision so securing a KTX ticket to Busan from Dongdaegu at a decent time was impossible. I recommend taking the KTX because it is much faster but plan your trip in advance. Due to funds and last minute planning, we opted to take the bus. I bought our tickets from the TmoneyGO app. This app is in Korean and you need your ARC and a Korean card. However, if you desire to book a bus ticket online, you can buy it from the BusTago website or app which accepts Visa and Mastercard.
There are 3 bus terminals in Busan so be careful to choose the one you want to go to. We chose the Haeeundae Terminal. For more information about the Express/Inner-city Buses, click here.
We were able to secure KTX tickets for back home. You can use the Korail app. The app is in English and Korean. You can also get tickets online as well. Click here for the official KTX website.
Haeundae Blue Line Park
The bus journey was estimated to be about an 1 hour and 30 minutes but the journey took around 2 hours. We arrived at Busan Haeundae Station at around 1:00 PM. Our first destination was the Haeundae Blue Line Park starting from Mipo Station, just a short 30-minute trip away. Arriving a few moments late, we were worried we would miss our 1:30 Beach Train ticket time. But we were able to hop on the beach train at 1:40 PM and took in the scenic coastal views. We used this recommended course to navigate our trip.
To secure tickets for the beach train, you can go to the official Haeundae Blue Line Park website. We got two all stop passes for 16,000원 each. This allows you to get on and off at each of the stops once. I got these tickets in advance online. You are able to buy tickets in person too. We were unable to secure tickets for the Sky Capsules because they go very quickly especially on weekends. Again, I urge you to plan accordingly!
Check out this blog post for more specific information on the Beach Train and Sky Capsules.
Cheongsapo Station and Cafe Rooftop
Our next stop was Cheongsapo Station, where we discovered a hidden gem called Cafe Rooftop. Nestled on the fourth floor, this cozy café offered a delightful menu to satisfy our cravings. The address is 부산 해운대구 청사포로 139-4 4층 카페루프탑.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Afterward, we headed back to the train station and boarded a train to Songjeong Station. From there, we took a short bus ride of approximately 23-25 minutes (1,200원) or an 8-minute taxi ride (6,000원) to reach the iconic Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This temple, perched on the cliffs by the sea, provided a serene and picturesque atmosphere. Best of all, entry was free. The address is 부산 기장군 기장읍 용궁길 86 해동용궁사.
Hotel Lien
As the day drew to a close, we checked into our hotel, Drama Motel (Hotel Lien - 부산 해운대 리엔 호텔). The address is 부산 해운대구 해운대로594번가길 4. With a flexible check-in after 4PM, we had ample time to freshen up and recharge for the evening's adventures. I don't have pictures of this motel. It is one of Korea's many "love motels" but was clean and worked for a one night stay.
Dinner at Oh Banjang
For dinner, we went to a Korean BBQ restaurant called Oh Banjang that is definitely worth a visit. Not only is the meat reasonably priced, but it is also incredibly delicious, and the accompanying side dishes are a delightful addition to the meal. The service is prompt and you can have a server at your side with the literal click of a button.
What's more, this restaurant caters to a diverse clientele by offering menus in English, Chinese, and Korean. This inclusivity ensures that visitors from different backgrounds can comfortably navigate the menu and fully enjoy their dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're craving BBQ.
Buddha's Birthday at Samgwangsa Temple
Afterward, we embarked on a short journey to Samgwangsa Temple, where a mesmerizing display of temple lights awaited us. The temple is located at 부산 부산진구 초읍천로43번길 77, accessible by public transit within approximately 1 hour or a 30-minute taxi ride.
We went to the temple on Buddha's birthday. They had decorated the temple with over 40,000 lanterns. They do this each year. Be warned that the trip up is not easy. There is a bus that will take you up and down. But the hike up was a total cardio workout.
Haeundae Sand Festival
The next day we woke up and went out to explore the Haeundae Sand Festival, a vibrant celebration of sand sculptures and artistic displays. This is a reoccurring event every year and you can immerse yourself in the creativity and enjoy the festivities.
Gamcheon Culture Village
After experiencing the Sand Festival, we'll venture to the famous Gamcheon Culture Village. A 34-minute taxi ride will take us to this unique neighborhood, known for its colorful houses and artistic murals. Delight in delicious foods and wander through the charming streets of Gamcheon Culture Village. Discover hidden gems, art galleries, and cozy cafés that add to the village's allure.
Unfortunately, when we went, it was a very rainy day. We only explored for about an hour or so and didn't really explore more than the first street. When you first enter the village, you will see the information center. Enter and buy a 2,000원 map (the funds go to help maintain the village and help locals). There are 3 recommended courses. It is recommended that you may need 2-3 hours for the full experience. There are also storage lockers if you bring big heavy backpacks like us!
GIF Photo Store
If you're looking for a unique experience and a souvenir to take home with you, I recommend this store. It is such a fun and unique store. Looking like a cassette tape, you make a flipbook from a video. This experience only costs 10,000원 each booklet.
The owner is super nice and is able to help you make the perfect flipbook. He speaks English and will help you through the entire process. Please do not wear green as the various backgrounds applied by green screen!
Coffee Itjip
Don't forget to visit Coffee Itjip, located at 부산 사하구 옥천로 115, for an aesthetic cafe experience. This bright pink cafe is a popular spot for instagram influencers. This cafe also has an amazing view of the village but also photo areas! They have cute pink carriers to help you move your drink from the counter to your seat! They had a delicious blueberry latte and grapefruit ade.
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