Seeing abundant cherry blossoms in Busan highlighted my visit. I spent “spring-summer” holy week vacation 2012 in this awesome place
with my travel buddies. Even if I have visited Korea for several times already,
it always felt like it was my first time because its atmosphere and people
never fail to amaze me.
Itinerary
Initially, our itinerary was scheduled as follows:
Day 1 Arrival in Busan
Day 2 Whole Day Busan
City Tour
Then over night journey to Jeju Island
via ferryboat
Day
3 Jeju Island Tour
Then back to Busan via overnight
ferryboat
Day 4 Last peep in
Busan before going back to Manila
Unfortunately, it did
not materialize. Six hours prior to departure, my friend in Seoul who was in
charged in the reservation of our ferry seats going to/from Jeju Island
informed me that there was no boat voyage on our selected dates. We have no choice but to stay in Busan,
explore and feel its heartbeat. So before departing in Manila, I booked our hotel
via Agoda for two nights. We stayed at Ibis Ambassador Hotel in the city centre of Busan,
located at 573-7 Bujeon-dong Busanjin-gu
614030 Busan South Korea. The nearest subway station is Bujeon station, Exit 1
or 9. There is also a Mini-mart
and Starbucks close to our hotel. The famous Bujeon market is also in close
proximity.
Jeju Island
During that time, Jeju
Island was newly and formally confirmed as one of the new 7 wonders of nature.
“Jeju-do is a volcanic island located 130
kilometres off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the country’s largest
island, smallest province and home to its tallest mountain, Halla-san, a
dramatic-looking dormant volcano that rises 1,950 metres above sea level. The
people of Jeju have developed a culture and language that are distinct from
those of mainland Korea, and the island is famous for its matriarchal family
structure, symbolized by the haenyeo (“sea women”), who
make a living from deep-sea diving to harvest marine products.” – new7wonders
Upon arrival at Busan
International Airport, we took a cab going to Sunset Business Hotel, wherein we
are booked for our first and fourth day in the city. Sunset Business Hotel is
situated at 1391-66, Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea.
The nearest subway is Haeundae station.
Haeundae Beach,
Haedong Yonggung Temple, Busan Aquarium and Spa, Paradise Duty free and the market
are accessible from where we are staying.
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| Haeundae Beach |
 |
| Haeundae Market |
The Tour
Busan City has two
types of tours: the themed and loop tours. The themed tours consist of history
and culture, temple and eco tour and the night views tour. This time, we chose
the loop tour. Loop tour is a hop-on hop-off service, which departs everyday
(except Monday) in front of Arirang Hotel at Busan Station Square, between Exit
8 of Busan Metro and Exit 1 of Busan Railway Station. Tickets can be purchased
on first-come-first-serve basis from the driver. You can visit their website, Busan City Tour
for more information.
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| Look for this Hop-on Hop-off Bus Signage where you can alight or get in to the bus |
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| Ride this Tram to go around the Yeong-do Island (not free) |
The next day, we
availed the Haeundae Loop tour. The loop consisted of visits at Haeundae Beach,
Busan Museum, Gwangali Beach, Nurimaru, Shinsegae Department Store, BEXCO and
UN Memorial Park.
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| APEC Venue 2005 |
 |
Shinsegae Centumcity
is the largest department store in the world. It is an amazing and fun place
that is like a city itself and a Guinness World Record holder. The certification
is dated June 26, 2009.
|
Furthermore, Guinness World
Records recognized the Busan Cinema Centre’s Big Roof located at Centum City in
Haeundae, as the largest cantilever roof in the world.
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| World's biggest Canopy |
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| World's biggest Department Store |
I discovered more
amazing facts about the heartbeat of Dynamic Busan. I am sure that this city
will continue to grow and flourish not just in the world but in the heart of
many people just like me. Korea is waiting to share its richness and beauty
with you.
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