The hub of culture and tourism industry begins at the southern coast city of Busan
Busan, the second-biggest city of Korea, has developed itself rapidly into the hub of the culture and tourism industry of Korea. Introduced in the followings are some of the must-see attractions of the city.
Gamcheon Culture Village
The terraced village houses under the foot of a mountain will remind you of a serenely beautiful picture. Having the nickname of Busan’s Machu Picchu, the village is strewn with fabulous artworks of local artists. Here you can also find the Picture Gallery, the House of Light and the House of Darkness built under the Miro Miro Alley Project, along many well-known film locations. The village itself, simply put, is a gigantic work of art and tourist magnet. It is going to be fun taking a walk in the maze-like byways. The village has offered hands-on chinaware-making and natural-dyeing programs while running an art center, receiving a positive response from all over the country.
Gwangan Grand Bridge
Also known as the Diamond Bridge, this 7.4km-long structure connects the 49th Square of Namcheon-dong, Suyeong-gu with the Centum City shopping mall located in Woo-dong, Haewoondae-gu. It is the biggest overwater bridge in Korea.
The bridge looks especially marvelous after the sun goes down. Then, it is in perfect harmony with the nightscape of the sea and the city. Driving on the bridge, you will find the island of Oryukdo approaching you as if it were just a few steps ahead. Never forget to appreciate the awesome views of Mt. Hwangnyeong surrounding the grand bridge, the sandy beach of Gwanganni, the picturesque Dalmaji Hill and Dongbaek Island.
The bridge’s illumination system is one of the finest of its kind, turning the steel structure into a glittering artwork. Every night and every season, it embellishes the bridge with hues of dazzling brilliance.
Dongbaek Island
On the right-hand edge of the wide Haeundae Beach, you can see Dongbaek Island sitting behind the Chosun Beach Hotel. In fact, it is not an island. Though it was separated from the land in the past, the passage of time has piled up sediment to reclaim the sea between the two. It is just that the people are still calling it in the name they love.
For a long time, many Korean poets like Sir Choi Chi-won have visited the place to admire the amazing mingling between the sea and the forest. A number of artistic pieces have come down from old days to be enjoyed by many art aficionados.
Currently, promenades are available around it and many tourists are flocking together there to take a nice, refreshing stroll. Following the trail, you can find the inscription, statue and monument of Sir Choi Chi-won, the statue of the mermaid of the Princess Hwangok’s Legend, the Nurimaru APEC House and many more things to see. Also wonderful is the city seen from Dongbaek Island. Here, all of the coastline of the Mipo area, the Dalmaji Hill, the Gwangan Grand Bridge and Oryukdo can be seen in a panoramic view.
The first word of the Korean name means camellia flower, the abundance of which gave this one-time island the appellation. Between every winter and spring, bunches of the red flowers come into bloom and then fall, making the place even more charming.
Nurimaru APEC House
Since the APEC Summit 2005 was held in the port city, the Nurimaru AEPC House has been synonymous with top-notch conference facilities. These days, it is serving as one of the most typical tourist attractions of the Busan, welcoming an average of 5,000 visitors everyday.
It was modeled after a traditional gazebo of Korea. In the building whose name has the meaning of the top of the world, you can see a lot of pictures of the conference that took place here six years ago.
In the meantime, the APEC Memorial Hall was opened in the site on December 31, 2007 to celebrate the successful hosting of the conference. In the framework of the ubiquitous city project of Busan, the hall is keeping the spill-over effect going while adding to the city’s appeal to tourists.