Busan

To put in it just a few words Busan is the LA or Sydney to Seoul's New York or Melbourne. While Busan may lack Seoul's sophistication and obsense of inner city esque hipsters and everything that comes along with those two characteristics, it makes for it with its beautiful weather, relaxed attitude and stunning landmarks. 

Only a few hours by express train from Seoul and home to its own international airport, it's well worth taking the trouble to visit and get a slightly different experience of Korea. 

Here are my top picks for stuff to do, eat and experience during a trip to Busan:

To see and do: 

Shinsegae Centum City: There isn't many instances in which I would recommend visiting a shopping centre while on holiday but this is of the few exceptions. This place holds the record for the largest shopping complex in the world and it's surprisingly easy to lose yourself in. It's also the home of Spa Land a hybrid between a traditional Korean spa and a more luxury, Western style one which is also, unsurprisingly, gigantic. 

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Though often crowded to the extreme this temple with it's gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean and lovely buildings is well worth trekking out to. Bonus: in April it is also the home of many beautiful cherry blossoms.

Gukye Market:  Like Shinsegae this place is huge, taking up block after block of the centre of Busan. Originally set up by refugees from the Korean War (guyke translates to international in English) this place is full of cheap and cheerful clothes, bags, food and whatever else you map need. Fun fact: my carry on bag broke on the train from Seoul to Busan and I picked up a better bag here for about $20 AUD. 

Gamcheon Culture Village: This might be an unpopular opinion but actually preferred this village to Seoul's more famous Ihwa Mural Village. Though my views might have been clouded by the frankly adorable community festival going on when I visited this village seemed more authentic and just a little less touristy. Tip: I wouldn't recommend attempting to walk here if you have any mobility issues as the hills are brutal particularly in the summer heat. 

Gyeongju: Nicknamed 'the museum without walls' this ancient town a few hours via bus from Busan is well worth a day trip for history nerds (like myself). Holding more temples, tombs, rock cravings and other ruins than anywhere else in South Korea, this place is truly breathtaking.

To eat: 

Hottek: I left Korea with a very unhealthy obsession for this fried gift from the heavens which is filled with a mixture of nuts, seeds and sugar. Available at basically every market around Busan and also so very cheap it would be crime to leave the city without having at least five.

Seafood: As a port town with a major fishing industry there are not very many places in the world where the seafood is better than Busan. The cities most famous fish market Jagalchi is the second busiest market of its kinda in the world next to Tsukiji in Japan and is also jam packed with many cheap but excellent restaurants serving the freshest seafood. The restaurants will also cook anything you buy from the market fresh for you. If you are game you can also try sannakji, a type of octopus sashimi which is so fresh that the octopus reflexes are often are still working after death.

BONUS TIP!

If you are a hostel stayer by nature like me I couldn't recommend The Wendy House at Gwangalli Beach highly enough. Wendy is an excellent host and plans stuff almost nightly which end up being the exact opposite of every awful pub crawl usually offered by hostels.