Hi there!
My first entry! Wow. I am a Berliner, german as you might guess, still, I wanted to share with the english speaking lonely-planeteers out there!
First a simple question: Did I get anything wrong, or is there no possibility to post your personal hints and tricks where it should be posted? At the "Destinations"-site, right there, under the destination, you have visited? So one could find the latest news from somebody, who was just THERE?
Well, anyhow, here is my experience of Busan, second biggest city of South Korea.
Loved it. Great to stay at the beach, to visit the film-festival (October), to spend some time on cultural activities, cross over to one of those gorgeous islands, walk the town, shop...
Really liked the Busan-feel.
I've seen a few Korean cities, but this one I liked most.
Subway system is very efficient! You can get anywhere by subway. Although cabs are inexpensive, you can really save your money here!
If you plan to stay there, book a room or a bed at the "Arpina Youth Hostel".
It's an ugly building, but close to the "Busan Museum of Modern Art" subway station.
So, a few stops to the beach, a few more stops to the shopping areas, everything is at reach. And if you have a membership card of hostelling international, which I didn't, it is a really affordable place to stay at in Busan.
About 24000 KRW (16 USD), if I remember well, presumed that you are okay with sleeping in an eight bed dormitory. Don't like dormitories? Me neither.
But Busan, as the rest of Korea, is pretty expensive. The rooms in this hotel are really clean, neat, almost pretty. They have a big "jimjibang" (kind of a sauna) in the basement and and and...
But - and this is the only but - you really have to book in advance, since this place is packed most of the time.
And then you are ready to hit Busan. Loved it!
If you are there for just one day, you at least have to see the Busan fish market. Amazing. I have seen fish, I've never seen before!! And: You can eat them all, if you want to...
Chris
PS: If you open Google and hit "Arpina Youth Hotel", you will find the address and you will get some pictures... Or try the link: http://www.busanyouthhostel.co.kr/english/intro/intro_sub1.asp
Edited by: Chris (08-11-22)