4 Best Sights in Busan, South Korea

Just a short stroll from central Seomyeon is one of Busan's great treasures: Bujeon Market. This sprawling complex is the largest in the city, a dizzying, full-force blast to the senses that reminds you just how exciting Korea can be. Whether you're in the mood for seafood, kimchi, fresh fruit, chili powder, dried squid, veggies, or live turtles, Bujeon has it all, along with a festive, frenetic atmosphere that's sure to get your blood pumping and mouth watering. You don't even have to buy anything: the market is worth a visit just for the experience alone, though you'd be foolish not to snack at one of the many food stalls.

Built in 1376, this exquisite complex sits on the rocks right above the roiling ocean waves. Seaside temples are rare in Korea, and Yonggungsa is arguably the country's finest. Perfectly combining raw nature and architectural splendor, this temple is a must-see, delivering a dose of both exhilaration and serenity to anyone lucky enough to visit. Try to visit on a weekday if possible, as weekends get crowded.

This 1.5-km (.9 mile) expanse of white sand is the most popular in the country, which means there are parasols as far as the eye can see during the busiest weeks of the summer. Still, the beach is home to events year-round, including the Polar Bear Swim and the Jeongwol Daeborum Fire Festival in the winter; it also plays partial host to the Busan International Film Festival in October. Whatever the season, this gorgeous inner-city beach is a destination unto itself and, for most Koreans, is synonymous with "Busan." Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; fee parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

A visit here serves as a reminder of Korea's recent past and the continuing state of political affairs on the peninsula. During the Korean war, almost 41,000 UN soldiers lost their lives; and approximately 2,300 people, from eleven nations, are interred here. While all of the fallen from the USA and seven other countries have been repatriated, the flags of the twenty-one nations that participated fly over the cemetery today.