Gukje Market (국제시장)

97.0M 2025-10-23

Area of Sinchang-ro 4-ga, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-51-245-7389

The current marketplace of Gukje Market first formed after the liberation of Korea from the Japanese administration when people gathered to trade overseas products left by the Japanese and brought in by Koreans who came back from abroad. Following the Korean War, refugees who fled to Busan set up stalls in order to make a living by selling smuggled or imported products, which developed into Gukje Market (gukje meaning "international" in Korean) of today. Gukje Market is one of Korea’s largest markets and a testament to Korea's modern history. The market is divided into two wings, and first-timers to the market are advised to be careful not to get lost in the maze-like alleys and halls.

Gukje Market Food Street (국제시장 먹자골목)

147.8M 2024-03-06

36, Junggu-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-51-245-7389

Gukje Market Food Street has more than 60 years of history as one of Busan's traditional markets' most famous food streets. It is known for a number of dishes, such as Chungmu gimbap served with sweet and sour squid salad, sweet-and-spicy tteokbokki, milmyeon (wheat noodles), dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup), sundae, patbingsu (shaved ice with red beans), and Busan’s iconic bibim dangmyeon (spicy glass noodles). These dishes are enjoyed on small stools next to the street stalls. The sight of the diners lining the stall is one of the defining views of traditional markets in Korea. Visitors can also find suitable clothing, shoes, and accessories here.

Samsong Chobap (삼송초밥)

203.6M 2025-01-23

13 Gwangbok-ro 55beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan

This is a Japanese restaurant that began in the early 1960s in Nampo-dong. While it is well-known for its Japanese-style gimbap called “gimchobap,” regular patrons consistently order its pufferfish dishes. The bokjiri (malgeuntang) is noted for its rich flavor, achieved by combining seasonal vegetables and pufferfish. The boksashimi (sliced raw pufferfish) menu offers a variety of options, including outer skin, inner skin, and shabu-shabu.

Busan Tower (부산타워)

242.7M 2025-08-06

37-30 Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-51-601-1800

Busan Tower, standing at 120 meters tall, is an iconic observation tower situated in Busan's Yongdusan Park. This tower offers visitors panoramic views of Busan Port and Yeongdo Island. A highlight is the nightly fireworks mapping show, where graphical displays are projected onto the windows, creating a mesmerizing backdrop against the colorful night view of Busan Port Bridge. The lower floor of the tower is a haven of amusement, themed around a flying submarine. On the second floor, visitors will find a photo zone and rooms decorated with themes representing famous travel destinations in Busan.

Busan Jung-gu Pet Festival (부산중구반려동물축제)

242.7M 2025-11-05

37-30 Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-70-8893-2437

Busan Jung-gu Pet Festival is a pet cultural event featuring various programs such as walking programs, health consultations, and behavior training programs that pets and their owners can participate in together. The event aims to spread the culture of responsible pet ownership and revitalize the local pet industry.

Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum - Main Building (부산근현대역사관 본관)

262.6M 2025-08-04

112 Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan

Busan Modern & Contemporary Museum showcases the evolving identity of Busan through various exhibitions and programs. Housed in the former Bank of Korea Headquarters building, the museum's main building is a first-generation Korean architectural building. It features exhibitions and performances by young artists on the basement floor, and houses the Bank of Korea archive room, a café, a lounge and a gift shop on the first floor. The second floor is dedicated to special exhibitions, while the third and fourth floors offer educational spaces and historical exhibitions that trace Busan’s changing identity from the turbulent colonial period to the present day, offering visitors a meaningful glimpse into modern Korean history.

Yongdusan Park (용두산공원)

293.6M 2025-08-06

37-55 Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-51-860-7820

Situated at the heart of Busan, Yongdusan Park is famous for its escalators, which connect the Nampo-dong area with the park. The park has a great view of the Busan Port and the Yeongdo area. Notable sights in the area include the Busan Tower, the Statue of Admiral Yi Sunsin, a bell pavilion, a flower clock, and a sculpture of a dragon. The observatory on the Busan Tower offers an expansive view of Busan’s city center, the Busan Port, and the South Port at the distance. The view of the city at night is also not to be missed. Nearby tourist sites include many of Busan’s famous sights, from Gwangbok-dong Cultural & Fashion Street to Jagalchi and Gukje Markets.

Bosu-dong Book Street Cultural Center(보수동 책방골목 문화관)

298.6M 2023-01-09

8, Chaekbanggolmok-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-51-743-7650

[The used bookstore that sells memories]
Bosu-dong Book Street has a unique background. It was formed after the independence of Korea (August 15) as a residential area in the empty place where the previous Gukje Market was demolished. Book stores began opening one-by-one and soon the street became known as Bosu-dong Book Street. The street is popular amongst booklovers for their used books as well as new books, and amongst travelers for the street’s unique atmosphere. Many young adults also frequent the street because there are many specialty shops for comic books. Every year, the Bosu-dong Culture Festival takes place and visitors can participate in events such as, make-your-own book cover, make-your-own book, and so on. The festival not only gives an opportunity to learn about the history of Bosu-dong Book Street, but have a good time as well.

BIFF Square (BIFF 광장)

300.8M 2025-10-23

4 Nampo-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-1688-3010

Busan’s modern movie district was originally little more than a pair of cinemas that were built following Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule over half a century ago. However, major renovations took place ahead of the first Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), and the newly transformed district was named BIFF Square on September 13, 1996.

Having been remade into a cultural tourist attraction promoting the advancement of Korea’s film industry, BIFF Square has contributed to Busan’s status as an international cultural tourist city. The 428 meter-long street stretching from the Buyeong Theater in Nampo-dong to the overpass in Chungmu-dong was divided into “Star Street” and “Festival Street,” and on the eve of the festival each year the “BIFF Square Ground Opening” is held here. During the ceremony, events such as the hand printing of famous movie celebrities and Nunkkot Jeomdeung (snow-flower lighting) take place. A district such as BIFF Square, crowded with first-run theaters in a city is rare not only in Asia but Europe as well, and for this reason it holds great potential. In recent years, the square has grown into a more complex area, featuring not only movie theaters but also shops and leisure facilities, attracting growing numbers of young visitors and tourists.

Gwangbok-dong Cultural & Fashion Street (광복로문화패션거리)

306.4M 2024-03-06

Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
+82-51-253-8253

Gwangbok-dong Cultural & Fashion Street is about 600 m long from the entrance to Gukje Market. The street has historically featured many clothing shops, and it is quite crowded at night or on weekends. Every December, the area also hosts the Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival, which turns the street into a pedestrian-only area. There are plenty of good restaurants in the area, which is a great place to feel the vitality and energy of Busan’s youth.

Gukje Market (국제시장) - Area information - Korea travel information