The Busan Top Ten Prides at a Glance

Heaundae Beach
The Haeundae Beach, one of the Eight Wonders of Korea, is the largest beach in Korea and combines a beach with a hot spring. This beach, with gently curving sands stretching 2km-long and 60,000'3-wide, attracts about 120,000 visitors. Open from July 1 to August 31, the average water temperature is 22.60!I. It is ideal for swimming because of an inclination of 10 degrees and single meter water depths. There are bathhouses, shower rooms, and locker rooms run by the public service group. The deluxe hotels along the coastal road are equipped with a variety of amusement facilities for elegant and energetic pleasures.

Oryuk Islets
The Oryuk Islets is composed of a chain of six islands edged by curious and strange cliffs which begin just off the Korean coast at Seungdomal, Bookan of Busan Bay and stretch into the ocean in a south easterly direction.
These six islands which thrusts out of the sea in front of Yongho-dong are Bangpaesom (Shield Islet, 2,166'3 high), Solsom (Pine Islet, 5,505'3), Surisom (5,313'3), Songossom (Awl Islet, 2,073'3), Goolsom (Cave Islet, 9,716'3) and Deungdaesom (Light House Island, 3,416'3) in the order of closest to the furthest from the shore.
The Oryuk Islets is estimated to have been a small peninsula connected to the mainland 120,000 years ago and was separated due to erosion by strong waves over a long period of time. The geological composition of Bangpaesom, Solsom and Seungoomal show that they were one piece of land a long time ago before the two islands of Bangpaesom and Solsom were separated from the shore.
The Oryuk Islets which belongs to Gwangalli terrace and is one of the oldest sea terraces in Busan Bay. Gwangalli is home to a lush green layer of vegetation and slopes down to meet the sea.
Today, Oryuk Islets is the gate to Korea and the symbol of Busan Port because all the ships passing through Busan Port which is the biggest international port in Korea must pass near Oryukto. In addition, Oryuk Islets which is a famous symbol of Busan shows the independent spirit of the people of Busan.Oryuk Islets where many poets couldn't stop making poetry a long time ago is loved by many people as a fishing place.

Taejongdae
Stretching 9.1km along the southern side of the Yeongdo coast, Taejongdae is centered around a 250m-high peak and covers an area of about 1,793,025'3. There are about 200 kinds of trees -- seashore pine, silver magnolia, camellia and so on -- and sheer cliffs along the seashore. On a clear day, Taejongdae commands a view of the Tsushima Island in Japan. This place attracted attention as a resort by a Construction board in 1967 and designated as a tourist attraction by the traffic board in 1969. The 4.3km coastal road was constructed over 3 years in the early 70s. Sheer cliffs, the sound of the waves and the dense forest will make for a rewarding visit. The statue of a mother and her children at the Observation Platform sends a welcoming smile to every visitor. You can take in Oryuk Islets and Tsushima some distance away. Both of the coastal roads from the City Hall via the Yeongdo Bridge and the Busan Grand Bridge to Taejongdae are good courses to take when visiting Taejongdae by car.

Jagalchi Market
This is the largest fish market in Korea. After the Korean War in the 1950s, women played important roles in this fish market. As a result, the marketers who make their livings here have come to possess a comfortable and pleasant nickname, Jagalchi ajimae (aunts). The life of Busan citizens can truly be felt here. Jagalchi is famous throughout the country for the peculiar local accent of the Jagalchi women, fresh fish, and noisy deal making. Fish fresh from the sea are sold via brokers to retailers at the wharf, while street stalls abound with all kinds of sea products such as sea bream, flat fish, flounder, ear shell, sea squirt, cuttlefish, octopus, and so on. Usually at a price of 20,000 won to 60,000 won, two persons can taste deluxe raw fish with a beverage. Located on the seashore of the South Port at Nampo-dong, it is a visual and culinary treat. Nearby there are two other markets: a dried fish market also Shin Dong-A Fish Market. The subway stops here and Jagalchi is on many bus routes.

Eulsuk Island
At the estuary of the Nakdong River, there are plenty of waterweeds and a hanging screen made of reeds, providing an ideal stopover for migratory birds. Because of the soft sands, the sheltering reeds, and the abundant feed, many migratory birds flock here on their annual routes. A treasure for bird watchers and nature-lovers, the beautiful scenery here will enchant any visitor.

Dongnae Yaryu
Yaryu is the Chinese expression of Deulnoreum (field play). Deulnoreum is a play performed to wish for the safety of the village and a good year"s harvest in the field. Its history is not accurately known, but it is assumed to be 120 or more years old. Dongnae Yaryu, designated, as intangible Cultural Assets No.8 on Dec. 21, 1967, is a kind of masquerade performed in a former recreation area in Oncheon-dong, Dongnae-gu.
The names of the Korean Folklore Masquerade differ from region to region -- Ogwangdae in Gyungnam, Sandaenori in the middle areas, Talchum in Hwanghaedo, and Deulnoreum in Busan.
Dongnae Yaryu is the Yeongnam-style, one of the three traditional masquerades.

Chungyeol Shrine
Located in Allak-dong, Busan. Here rest the tablets of Dongnae Magistrate Song Sang-hyeon, who rendered distinguished services and was killed in the Japanese invasion. The Shrine was named Allak Academy, and it houses a hall and both eastern & western libraries. Within this shrine lie a main building, the Uiyeol Pavilion, a memorial, Sojuldang, Gungwancheong, Cheonghwa Monument, and a maxim tombstone worthy of seeing. Every May 25th, the Confucian Society representing Busan!/s citizens holds a solemn ritual ceremony here.

Beomeo Temple
Daeungjeon, the main Shrine, which is a hall of treasure, was built in the middle period of the Yi Dynasty with a three-part front and three-part sides and a counter-roof. There is a tall image of Buddha in the center of this building.
Samcheung Seoktap (Treasure No. 250), a three-story pagoda, was made in the 9th century; it resembles Sukga Pagoda at Bulkuk Temple, Gyeongju.
Seokju Gidung, a lighting stone pillar believed to have been made in the 9th century; this stone pillar was moved from Yonghwajeon to its cullet home. This eight angles-style is typical of the Unified Silla Kingdom. (Tangible Cultural Assets No.16)
Iljumun, Single-pillar Exit was built as a dynamic structure with a two-layered roof. Wooden pillars ascent from four stone bases. (Busan Metropolitan City Tangible Cultural Assets No.2)

Mt. Geumjeong Fortress
Stretching 17km long and standing 1.5~5m high, the National Cultural Assets No: 215 , located on Mt. Geumjeong, Geumjeong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, is the largest fortress in Korea. Magistrates Han Pae and Oh Han-won gave the fortress its present outlook. The mountain fortress also housed a villa for Dongnae Magistrate Yi Gyu-hyeon in 1824. This fortress became a national historic site in 1972 and a two-year restoration plan of the East, West, and South Gates gets underway.

UN Cemetery
This is the only cemetery created under the auspices of the UN, and here lie the heroic warriors who gave their lives to uphold world peace and freedom in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Several national flags raised on high (see photograph) stand for the respectful and unified endeavors and sacrifices of 21 allied nations. The UN built the Memorial Worship and Exhibition Hall in 1964 and 1968. These heroes are gone but their message of peace and freedom will be heard forever.
The Monument to the UN Forces in Korea Standing 12.05 meters high, the monuments 16 pillars stand for the 16 nations that actively participated in the Korean War. Gilt bronze images of soldiers stand in the center of the pillars, with the national flags are raised on top.   nw