9 Best Sights in Busan, South Korea

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.

Opened in 2011 as the official headquarters of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), this architectural award-winning complex not only houses editing rooms and scores of state-of-the-art cinemas, but also features the world's longest cantilever roof. Perhaps most impressive is the BIFF Archive, where you can check out any film screened in the festival's history and watch it on your own private viewer. 

Though it has a reputation for being slightly old-fashioned, the Busan Museum is ground zero for the art, culture, and history of Busan. Casual visitors may not be too interested in the first-floor galleries, but the second floor is fascinating. Here you'll find detailed explanation of the recent history of Busan and Korea, the Korean War, and the relationship between Japan and Korea. The video installations are all in Korean but the rest of the texts are in English.

Hosting exhibitions by modern Korean artists rather than big name international draw cards is exactly what makes the BOMA interesting. Recent Korean art and design has a distinct aesthetic and is, in many cases, politically influenced. The BOMA offers visitors insight into recent Korean history and political thought through the eyes of the peninsula's artists. Located close to Centrum City, it is well worth taking an hour or so to visit.

One of three ocean observatories in Busan, this 72.5-meter (238-foot) long, 20-meter (66-foot) high platform is equipped with a transparent glass floor, giving visitors the illusion that they're walking on the water. It's an ideal place to catch the sunset, as the observatory provides a panoramic view of Cheongsapo Village, its lighthouse, and seashore.

With gorgeous views of the ocean and the Gwangan Diamond Bridge, Dongbaek offers a tranquil refuge among the camellias and pine trees and is a great place to stretch your legs on a stroll. The highlight of the island is the Nurimaru APEC House, which hosted world leaders for its big regional conference back in 2005. 

Even though it attracts fewer tourists and more locals than the neighboring Haeundae Beach, the sands here are equally beautiful and the views much better, especially with the Gwangan Diamond Bridge spanning the bay. The area is packed with cafés and bars overlooking the water, so it's an excellent place for a sunset or late night stroll. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Created in in 1913, Songdo was Busan's first official beach. Once a neglected, shabby piece of sand, in recent years the little cove has undergone a remarkable transformation, making it a terrific place to spend an afternoon or evening. While some sunbathe or swim during the furnace blast of the Korean summer, most head to Songdo to stroll along its glass-bottomed skywalk, or better yet, catch ride in the cable car that glides over the waves to the rugged splendor of nearby Amnam Park. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; fee parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.