When foreigners think of South Korea, there’s a good chance that the first thing they think of is Seoul: perhaps they think of the lively art scene in Hongdae, the bustling shopping centres in Gangnam, or the club scene in Itaewon. With its reputation as a vibrant and exciting city, Seoul is more than deserving of the fanfare, but there are many other cities in Korea that also deserve the spotlight.

Located South of Seoul, Busan is a populous port city nestled against the East Sea. Home to beaches, historic temples, fish markets, high-rises, and mountainous nature walks, Busan is where the country’s rich history meets its modernity, where the traditional and unconventional intersect. With that in mind, we’ll take a closer look at five locations that should be on everybody’s list to visit if they’re Busan bound.

Bosu-dong Book Alley is a stretch of road that came to be in the wake of Korea’s independence movement, when vendors gathered in what used to be Gukje Market. From there, it slowly became what it is today: a charming, crowded destination for book lovers, collectors, and Instagrammers alike.

Like the arguably more well-known Gamcheon Culture Village, Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a colourful village adorned with murals and mosaics overlooking the coast. After visiting a local café and weaving down a variety of brightly-coloured alleys and stairways, you can venture further to the Jeoryeong Coastal Trail and visit Taejongdae Resort Park.

From the shore of Gwangalli Beach, known for its fine sand, you can see Gwangandaegyo Bridge, the longest bi-level bridge over the ocean in Korea. Along with numerous beachside cafes and restaurant, you can see the thousands of lights that adorn the bridge and change with the seasons when the sun sets.

Nampo-dong is the central shopping district of Busan, considered by many to be the place where you can truly feel the energy of Busan. Nampo-dong has an array of shops, including a traditional market, department stores, and food vendors selling Korean-style street food.

Beomeosa Temple, one of the most famous temples in the Yeongnam region, is located on the eastern slope of Geumjeongsan Mountain. The temple is surrounded by the mountains and contains many stone artifacts, some of which are considered “Korean National Treasures.”

Whether you’re in the mood to visit a local café, hike a mountain, pray at a temple, or sightsee by the ocean, Busan is a diverse city that can accommodate all your travel desires.

Photos by Monique Lowe.