3 Best Sights in Busan, South Korea

The massif of Geumjeongsan dominates much of the Busan skyline, and a visit to its ancient, fortress-topped ridge should be part of most any itinerary. The best way to access the mountain is from Geumgang Park, where you can ride the cable car and soak up spectacular views of the city during the 15-minute trip to the top. 

Enjoy your time up on the ridge by hiking its trails, and once you've worked up your appetite, be sure to stop off at the Sanseong Village for a hearty lunch of heok yeomso bulgogi (marinated black goat meat) or baeksuk (steamed ginseng chicken), along with a filling array of side dishes. Most of the restaurants in the village also provide a shuttle van that will ferry you back down to the city and drop you off at Oncheonjang Station, completing the loop.  The cable car is not wheelchair accessible.

Escape the bustle of Busan and wander through 200 pine trees and camellias that line the coast at this lovely park. Most visitors come for the spectacular views of the jagged cliffs and the distant Oryuk-do Islets just beyond the 19th-century lighthouse. To get a feel for the park without breaking a sweat, ride the tram that circles the park or grab any one of the boats for hire that ply the nearby coast. There are also several hiking trails through the pine forests and along the rugged coastline.

Descend down a series of escalators from the busy Gwangbokno shopping street and into Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower. Though it is a tourist trap, there are some impressive views of the city. Signs of a charming local tradition can be seen here: locks are attached to the fence next to the tower by young lovers as a symbol of commitment. The keys are then places in a box atop the viewing platform at the nearby Lotte Department Store.