Photo by Park Chae-youn
Busan, the second largest city in Korea with a population of more than 3.3 million, is one of Korea’s leading tourist destinations. According to 2017 statistics from Busan City Hall, more than two million foreign tourists visit Busan every year. Moreover, Busan is the most beloved city for Koreans. Busan’s seaside, architecture, culture, and history are perfect for tourists longing for various activities while on a short trip.
Spa Land: Traditional but refined Korean- style jjimjilbang
Spa Land is an urban hot spring resort and Korean-style jjimjilbang located at Shinsegae Department Store Centum City, which is the world’s largest existing department store. It is the largest jjimjilbang in Korea and was created using hot spring water containing sodium chloride and calcium chloride found during the construction of the department store. Spa Land has various types of saunas and baths, reflecting Korea’s unique jjimjilbang culture, but with its modern interior and clean facilities, Spa Land has something for everyone to enjoy. You can relax in eighteen different kinds of baths made of hot spring water and herbs good for the skin, or rest inside a hot jjimjilbang and sweat it out and feel refreshed.
Time flies just by looking around and enjoying the spacious facilities of Spa Land. Spa Land has organized sauna spaces according to various national themes, including Finland, Rome, and Egypt, in addition to Korea’s traditional-style sauna, so that users can enjoy the unique ambiance of different countries’ spa cultures. Among Spa Land’s various facilities, the most memorable and recommended space is the outdoor foot bath. Very large for a foot bath, this area lets you select your preferred water temperature. Sit and talk with your friends, family, or significant other, and have a peaceful time feeling the refreshing outside breeze under the blue sky.
Spa Land’s adult admission fee is 20,000 won for 4 hours, which is much more expensive than a typical Korean jjimjilbang, where service time is also usually unlimited. Nonetheless, Spa Land is worth visiting because of the large size of the facility and diverse spaces that can’t be found in the average jjimjilbang.
Enjoy various cultural experiences and the sea at Haeundae
Haeundae is a beach in Busan, and along with the famous Gwangandaegyo Bridge, it is one of Busan’s two major landmarks. It is considered one of the best summer vacation destinations in Korea and is visited by many people throughout the year. Haeundae’s sandy beach and beautiful blue seascapse alone are reason enough to make a visit, but the true value of Haeundae rises even more in that it is a great place to exprience diversecultural attractions. Busking performances are held every day at Haeundae Beach, allowing visitors to view the sea accompanied by live music. Also, right next to Haeundae Beach is Gunam-ro, a large downtown area, where visitors can eat foods such as tteokbokki, jangeo deopbap(rice with grilled eel), burgers, donuts, and more.
The nightlife of Haeundae offers further delights. The sound of waves and music, the night view of the vast sea, and sparkling buildings entice tourists. For a more memorable night view, various light performances are always held along Haeundae. In January, rabbit-shaped lights were installed to mark the start of the year of the rabbit, making it a popular photo spot for tourists. However, Haeundae has year-round appeal. There is a sand festival in spring, a Busan Sea Festival in summer, and a Polar Bear Swimming Competition in winter. It is safe to say that Haeundae is a must-visit destination where you can experience more than just an ocean view.
Haeundae Blue Line Park: Colorful sky capsules on the blue sea and sky
Haeundae Blue Line Park is the place to ride the Haeundae Beach Train and Haeundae Sky Capsule and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. Haeundae Blue Line Park was built during the redevelopment of the 4.8 km-long Donghae Nambu Line, which had been out of use for a long time. Throughout the remodeling process, the old railway has become a key tourist attraction in Busan. The Beach Train is an eco-friendly slow-moving train with big windows facing the sea. When you board, you can enjoy the scenery as you move from Mipo to Cheongsapo and Songjung.
Also accessible from the park is the Sky Capsule, a small capsule that runs leisurely about 2 kilometers from Mipo to Cheongsapo on a rail constructed 10 meters above the ground. Although it is a little more expensive than the beach train, it offers a private way to enjoy the landscape with your party. As you move slowly over the sea in a Sky Capsule, you can feel as if you have become a bird soaring above the ocean. If you visit on a clear day, you will even feel like you are inside a painting of seascpe and wish that the journey never ends as the sky capsule gets closer to the destination. Given that Busan is a marine city, Haeundae Blue Line Park is highly recommended to enjoy a different ocean view.