Busan was a city that I was very excited to visit. Port cities in Asia always have a distinct personality and Busan is no different.
With a population of around 3.5 million, Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and the fifth biggest port in the world. It has a feel similar to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. The metropolitan area is situated in between two different rivers and a series of mountains. Busan was a host city for the 2002 World Cup which was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
Busan has some attractions but it is mostly known for beaches, hot springs, and of course the famous Busan International Film Festival (부산국제영화제). Click the link to see the official site in English.
One area that we went to see was Beomeo-sa Temple. This temple complex was founded in 678. It combines the serenity of temples built on a hill with nice hiking trails.
Another fascinating area that I enjoyed was the picturesque Yonggung-sa Temple. This Buddhist temple is nestled on the cliffs over looking the Pacific Ocean. A great place to get some decent shots. I might have to make a separate post on Korean food in the future but Busan is no exception to the great cuisine in Korea. One highlight was cooking live eel. After the squirming subsided, I managed to eat a decent portion with the help of some Soju.
K. Wahlgren 