Whether it's lounging on one of Busan's half-dozen beaches, or shopping for a seafood supper at the Jagalchi Market, you'll find no shortage of ways to fill your days in Busan.
Be sure to pack your sunscreen, becuase Busan - known as the ""Summer Capital of Korea"" boasts a host of great beaches. Set in a picturesque cove, Gwangnali Beach is popular among Korea's younger crowd for its restaurants, cafes and nightclubs, while the pebble sands of Taejongdae Beach on the southern tip of Yeongdo-gu Island draws locals and tourists alike with its observatory, amusement park and stunning cliff-side views. But the hands-down favorite beach in Busan is the wildly popular Haeundae Beach. These 7.5 miles of white sands are often invisible in the peak seasons, covered by thousands of tourists and locals taking in the sun.
Haeundae Beach isn't just popular for its expansive sands - it boasts tourist-friendly surroundings as well. Here you'll find the Busan Aquarium, where over 35,000 different fish, sharks and rays swim through its massive tanks. If you're looking to pamper yourself look no further than Haeundae's Shinsegae Centum City Spaland: 22 spring-fed spas boast baths, massage and all that the best spas have to offer. And if Spaland isn't enough, try the purportedly curative waters of Hurschimchung, or the Dongnae Hot Spring, which have been soothing the aches of local Koreans since the late 17th century.
The military history of South Korea is in full display at the ancient Geumjeong Fortress. The largest mountain fortress in the Republic of Korea, Geumjong boasts almost 17 miles of protective walls and four gates, which have kept watch over Busan Harbor since 1703. Visitors interested in more modern militaria can't miss the Busan Museum, which specializes in the history of the events surrounding the Korean War.
No trip to Busan would be complete without a stop in the famous Jaglachi Market. The largest seafood market in Korea, Jaglachi is well-known for the wealth of its offerings, from the freshest of that morning's catch to mountains of dried aquatic delicacies. Brave visitors can even enjoy fresh raw fish at one of the many food booths around the market.
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