Busan and Gyeongju Travel Guide: Beaches and Temples
Golden Tropics Travel · Updated
Busan, Korea's second city, is a port of beaches, hillside villages and seafood markets. An hour away, Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Silla kingdom and is often called a museum without walls. The two fit well together on a southern Korea tour.
Busan highlights
- Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, with Gwangan Bridge lit up at night
- Gamcheon Culture Village: colourful houses stacked up a hillside, with murals and small galleries
- Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple built on the rocks by the sea
- Jagalchi, Korea's largest fish market
- The Sky Capsule and Beach Train along the Haeundae Blueline Park coast
Gyeongju: the Silla capital
Gyeongju's grassy royal burial mounds at Daereungwon sit right in town, next to Cheomseongdae, one of Asia's oldest observatories. Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto in the hills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are lit up and reflected in the water.
When to go
Cherry blossoms usually reach Busan and Gyeongju in late March or early April, a little earlier than Seoul, and the lakeside roads around Bomun are lined with them. Autumn is clear and comfortable. Summer is beach season, and winter is milder than Seoul.
Getting there and food
- The KTX high-speed train links Seoul and Busan in about two and a half hours, and many tours use it.
- Try Busan's fishcakes, milmyeon (cold wheat noodles) and grilled seafood.
- Dwaeji gukbap, Busan's famous soup, is made with pork.
- Halal options are limited; tell us your dietary needs when you book.