Busan, Charming, Exotic
Tourist Destination
- Raising profile in tourism just in time for APEC 2005 Korea

The Nurimaru APEC House is shaping up as the venue of the Second Summit Meeting of the APEC 2005 Korea slated for this coming November in Busan.
The facility, overlooking the Oryu Islets, one of Busan's representative attractions, is being built in time for hosting the APEC Leaders' Meeting. Located on the farthest point of the oval-type Dongbaek Island in Haeundae-gu, Busan, the APEC House, surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of pine trees, promises to be an addition to a myriad of tourist attractions that Busan will show off.
BEXCO, a virtual breeding ground for the regional convention industry, in Centem City in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, is undergoing refurbishment as a place where the leaders of the 21 members of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) will get together for their first summit talks.
Deluxe hotels, having a good command of the Haeundae Beach, and others will be put in the international spotlight as the APEC leaders are expected to stay during the APEC 2005 Korea.
Haeundae is the largest, undisputed jewel of Korea's pristine beaches. Right on the beach, the Busan Aquarium - Korea's largest aquatic museum - houses nearly 35,000 kinds of sea life including rare fish and 250 species of deep-sea creatures, sharks, and penguins.
Busan has already established itself as a unique international tourist destination blessed with natural maritime, mountain and river attractions in perfect harmony with a vision of becoming a Northeast Asian hub of tourism and logistics.
The Busan Metropolitan City government has focused on publicizing its tourist attractions, exciting festivals and international conference capabilities with a vision of becoming a Northeast Asian hub of tourism and logistics.
The city also hosts numerous regional festivals, many of which highlight regional points of interest or blend in naturally with the four seasons, such as PIFF, the Busan Biennale, the Busan International Rock Festival and the annual Busan Jagalchi Festival.
Busan International Travel Fair 2005 (BITF2005) is scheduled to be held in October every year at the BEXCO with about 200 tourism-related exhibitors from abroad and Korea participating. The annual tourism fair is the latest of the city government's efforts to publicize its tourism resources, exchange information and promote business opportunities in the tourism sector. The Busan Metropolitan government is trying to capitalize on the APEC 2005 Korea in a bid to enhance its global profile as an international tourist destination, and in this vein, the port city celebrates the "Visit Busan Year 2005," designated by the central government this year.
Busan has beefed up cooperation in the tourism sector among cities in the Asia-Pacific area. As part of efforts to secure the inter-city tourism network in the Asia-Pacific region, Busan hosted the first TPO (Tourism Promotion Organization for Asian-Pacific Cities) General Assembly in September of 2003. The TPO, established in August 2002 with Busan taking the initiative, has evolved into an international institution with a membership of 45 key cities from 12 countries, including Korea, Japan and China, as well as 13 private organizations in a short period of time.
Each October Busan is transformed into a city of international events highlighting the newest and most exotic tourist attractions.
Tourists to Busan every October have a wonderful opportunity to visit the Jagalchi Market where they explore the tastes and sights of the sea. The 2005 Jagalchi Culture and Tourism Festival, that will run from Oct. 12 to Oct. 16, will feature several programs on four stages, including eel and small octopus relay competitions and a contest for catching eel with bare hands. The Jagalchi festival celebrated its 10th year of operation in 2005.
The festival, designated as an important regional festival by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has emerged as one of the nation's famous festivals catering to international tourists. The festival features events such as a fishing rite of prayer for the safe return of fishermen with a full boat and a large-scale road play event called Gilnori.
The Boiso (See) Program is designed to give visitors an opportunity to witness first-hand Korea's ajumma (middle-aged women) participating in a raw fish slicing and cooking spectacle, called the Jagalchi Ajimae (Aunty) Contest. Highlights of the Oiso (Come) Program include the Standard Quantity Contest of Sliced Raw Fish, the Bare-Handed Sea Eel Catching Contest, the Sea Eel Relay Race and the Foreigners' Cooking Contest. Seafood products will be available at the Seafood Surprise Auction at a discount rate under the Saiso (Enjoy) Program.
One of the month's representative festivals is the Busan International Film Festival. In connection with the annual international film festival (PIFF), there are many frequented movie-related places like Cinematheque Busan, Cine-Park and PIFF Plaza, loved by young people, especially during the PIFF. Among the favorite locations of hit movies are the streets from the Beomil-dong overpass to Samil Theater, designated as "The Street of Friend" in celebration of the Korean film "Friend" and the "40 steps" located in Jungang-dong, the scene of the famous film "Sympathy and Reason Are Out of Mind."
The PIFF has become as one of the world's top eight international film festivals and the best in Asia. Busan's bid to establish itself as the center of Korea's movie industry, combined with the citizen's enthusiastic interest and contributions, and has contributed to making the PIFF a success.
The 2005 Busan International Film Festival will be held between October 7 and 15 with an expected display of 265 works from 60 countries, the largest in its ninth-year history.
The 2005 Busan Biennale kicks off on May 22 for about five-month-long run till October 31 in several locations across the Busan area, including the Municipal Art Museum, Ulsukdo Culture Hall and Haeundae Beach.
An acclaimed summer fixture on Dadaepo Beach is the Busan International Rock Festival entertaining throngs of vacationers each summer. The Sixth Busan International Rock Festival, slated for between August 4 and 7, has served as an occasion to position itself as an international rock festival with performances by noted music groups and singers.
International tourists will be also given an opportunity to sample or learn Korean traditional heritage and culture by making ceramics, kimchi and participating in a traditional Korean tea ceremony.
As part of the tour programs, visitors can stay at Beomeo Temple, Samgwang Temple or Hongbeop Temple and experience Korea's Buddhist world and temple life. Beomeo Temple is located at the edge of Mt. Geumjeongsan, one of the most famous mountains in Busan. About 1,300 years ago, Beomeo Temple was first built by monk Ui Sang in the 18th reign of King Munmu (661-681) of the Silla Kingdom. Daeungjeon is one of the most delicate and wondrous examples of Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) architecture.
Like other parts of the country, the Busan area has a number of superb hot spas to beat the chilly weather. The Haeundae Spa, Dongnae Spa and Taejongdae Spa are all recommended areas to take a rest during the New Year Holiday Season. The Haeundae Spa, covering 86,225 sq. meters, is famous for the healing effects of its water on skin ailments. Taejongdae Spa offers unique bathing pleasures including an outdoor jade-covered floor known for its massaging effects. Busan's beaches are loved by throngs of vacationers who swarm the beach to beat the sultry summer heat. nw