Busan (Korean:부산;pronounced[pusan]), officiallyBusan Metropolitan City, isSouth Korea's secondmost populous city afterSeoul, with a population of over 3.3 million as of 2024.[5] Formerly romanized asPusan, it is the economic, cultural and educational center of southeastern South Korea, with its port being South Korea's busiest and the sixth-busiest in the world.[a] The surrounding "Southeastern Maritime Industrial Region" (includingUlsan,South Gyeongsang,Daegu, and part ofNorth Gyeongsang andSouth Jeolla) is South Korea's largest industrial area. The large volumes of port traffic and urban population in excess of 1 million makes Busan a Large-Port metropolis using the Southampton System of Port-City classification.[7] As of 2025,Busan Port is the primary port in Korea and the world's sixth-largestcontainer port.[8]
Busan is divided into 15 major administrativedistricts and a singlecounty, together housing a population of approximately 3.6 million. The full metropolitan area, theSoutheastern Maritime Industrial Region, has a population of approximately 8 million.[9] The most densely built-up areas of the city are situated in a number of narrow valleys between theNakdong and theSuyeong Rivers, with mountains separating most of the districts. The Nakdong River isKorea's longest river and Busan'sHaeundae Beach is also the country's largest.
The name釜山 (now written부산 using theKorean alphabet) isSino-Korean for "Cauldron Mountain", believed to be a former name of MtHwangnyeong (Korean: 황령산;Hanja: 荒嶺山;RR: Hwangnyeongsan) west of the city center. The area's ancient state MtGeochil (거칠산국;居柒山國;Geochilsan-guk, "Rough-Mountain Land") is similarly thought to refer to the same mountain, which towers over the town's harbor on the Suyeong (the later Silla district of Geochilsan-gun was renamedDongnae in 757).[18]
The area that Busan now occupies was inhabited during theNeolithic period. Artifacts dating to this period discovered near the coast include stone tools, pottery, sea shells, and animal bones. Fishing was a primary food source for people of this period.Bronze Age artifacts have been uncovered further inland. By this period, agriculture was being practiced.[19]
Around the first century, a chiefdom called Koch'ilsan-guk (거칠산국;居漆山國) existed around what is nowDongnae District.[19] At some point, it was absorbed bySilla and made an administrative division called Koch'ilsan-gun (거칠산군;居漆山郡). In 757, it was renamed Dongnae-gun (동래군). In 835, the Buddhist templeBeomeosa was founded in the area.[19]
In theGoryeo period (918–1392), the localDongnae Jeong clan [ko] became a prominent presence in Korean politics. By this point, Dongnae's hot springs became famous, and have been attested to in writings of this period.[19] By the end of the period, raids fromwokou (Japanese pirates) intensified. One such invasion occurred in 1396. To defend against this, the fortressDongnaeeupseong was established in the area.[19]
In 1423, theport of Busan (부산포) and awaegwan (Japanese concession community) were established.[19] During the reign of KingSejong the Great (r. 1418–1450), the population in Dongnae-hyeon was reportedly 2,416 people in 290 households. In Dongpyeong-hyeon, it was 627 people in 108 households. Thewaegwan was closed in 1510, but reopened in 1512.[19]
During the 1592–1598Japanese invasions of Korea, various fortresses in the area defended Busan against the invasion. Fortresses includedBusanjinseong,Dadaeposeong [ko], and Dongnaeeupseong. Civilians formedrighteous armies (volunteer militias) and joined in the fight.[19] After thesiege and capture of Busanjin in 1592, most of Busanjin's Korean prisoners and civilians were massacred.[20] After the war, diplomatic relations with the newshogunate in Japan were established in 1607, and Busan was permitted to be reconstructed.[21]
In 1605, the shrine Songgongsa was built to honor those who died defending Korea during the invasions. The shrine was dubbedChungnyeolsa in 1624. In 1607, awaegwan was reestablished in Dumopo (두모포;豆毛浦); in 1678 it was moved to Choryang (초량;草梁; now aroundYongdusan).[19] In 1763, Busan became the first place in Korea to havesweet potatoes, which arrived fromTsushima Island in Japan. In 1759, the population was reportedly 25,753 people in 6,657 households.[19]
In 1876, Busan became the first international port in Korea under the terms of theTreaty of Ganghwa.[19] In 1877, a concession was established in Busan, and consulates of Japan,Qing, and the United Kingdom were established. In 1883, the port was opened, and aBusan Customs Office (부산해관;釜山海關) was established.[19] In 1895, Dongnae-bu was made part ofSouth Gyeongsang Province. It was demoted to agun in 1903, and made abu again in 1906. After the beginning of the 1910–1945Japanese colonial period, in 1914 it was made agun again. In 1908, Busan was connected to theGyeongbu Line viaBusan station. In 1909, a ferry service was opened between Busan andShimonoseki in Japan. In 1914, Dongnae-bu was reorganized into Busan-bu. In 1915, a tram was opened between Busanjin and theDongnae Hot Springs [ko]. The following year, the city tram opened.[19]
During theJapanese rule, Busan developed into a hub trading port with Japan. Busan was the only city in Korea to adopt the steamtramway beforeelectrification was introduced in 1924.[22]
During theKorean War, Busan was one of only two cities in South Korea not captured by theNorth Korean army within the first three months of the war, the other beingDaegu. As a result, the cities becamerefugee camp sites for Koreans during the war. According toThe Korea Times, around 500,000 refugees were located in Busan in early 1951.[23]
As Busan was one of the few areas in Korea that remained under the control of South Korea throughout theKorean War, for some time it served as ade facto capital of South Korea.[24] UN troops established a defensive perimeter around the city known as thePusan Perimeter in the summer and fall of 1950. Since then, the city has been a self-governing metropolis and has built a strong urban character.
Busan is located on the southeastern tip of theKorean Peninsula. It is located on the coast, which determined the development of the whole city itself. The distance from Busan toSeoul is about 314 km (195 mi). Busan borders low mountains to the north and west, and theKorea Strait to the south and east. The Nakdong River Delta is located on the west side of the city, andGeumjeongsan, the highest mountain in the city, is on the north. TheNakdong River, South Korea's longest river, flows through the west and empties into theKorea Strait. The southeastern region, calledYeongnam in Korea, encompasses bothGyeongsang Provinces and 3 metropolitan cities of Busan,Daegu andUlsan. Ulsan lies northeast of Busan. The combined population exceeds 13 million.[citation needed]
The closest overseas area to Busan isTsushima,Japan, with a distance of about 49.5 km (30.8 mi). The closest Japanese mainland area to Busan isFukuoka, roughly 180 km (112 miles) away. Busan and Fukuoka are also sister cities.
Located on the southeasternmost tip of theKorean Peninsula, Busan has a cooler version of ahumid subtropical climate, bordering on a subtropical monsoon climate influenced byEast Asian monsoon (Köppen:Cfa, bordering onCwa).[26] Extremely high or low temperatures are rare. The highest temperature ever recorded is 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) on 14 August 2016, while the lowest temperature ever recorded is −14.0 °C (6.8 °F) on 13 January 1915.[27] May to July, late spring and early summer, are usually cooler than inland regions because of the ocean effect. Late summer, and early fall, August, and September, are generally hot and humid and the city may experiencetyphoons at that time and be generally rainy. On September 15, 1959,Super Typhoon Sarah passed by the coast of the city and caused catastrophic damage. An unusually severe storm on September 12, 2003,Typhoon Maemi, also caused damage to ships and buildings and resulted in over 48 fatalities.Typhoon Hinnamnor on September 6, 2022, caused destruction in Busan as a category 2, producing high waves, destructive winds, and flooding. Busan is the most prone city in South Korea to typhoons and other natural disasters.[citation needed]
October and November are generally the most comfortable, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Winters are cool and comparatively dry with high winds, but much milder than other parts of Korea, exceptJeju Province and several islands off the southern coast. Busan and the nearby area have the least snow compared to other regions of Korea due to its location. Snow falls on an average of only about 4 days per year.[28]
Climate data for Busan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present)
In 1957, Busan adopted adivision system with the creation of sixgu (districts): Busanjin District, Dong District, Dongnae District, Jung District, Seo District, and Yeongdo District. Today, Busan has divided into fifteengu and onegun (county).
Busan is the second largest city in Korea, a maritime logistics hub in Northeast Asia with its world-class mega ports, and a gateway to the Eurasian continent.[33] In 2022, the maritime city recorded aGRDP of KRW 104 trillion[34] with a per capita GRDP of KRW 39.6 million.[35] The city's economy is made up of the service industry (70.3%), manufacturing (19.8%), construction (5.9%), agriculture & fisheries (0.8%), and other sectors (3.2%).[citation needed]
Moreover, the city is a center of marine science and R&D, and home to a number of relevant institutions, such as theKorea Maritime Institute (KMI), theKorea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA), and the Korea National Maritime Museum, located in Dongsam Innovation Complex in Yeongdo District. Moreover, theInternational Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) World Congress was hosted in Busan in 2020.[40]
The city is also known for its globalMICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry. The city's convention and exhibition zone have excellent conditions and infrastructure to host large-scale international events, which includesBEXCO in Centum City, Nurimaru APEC House, and hotels nearby natural environments. Major international conferences in Busan include the 2005APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting,ASEAN–Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit 2014, and 2018African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings.[citation needed]
Busan is also a center of finance.Korea Exchange (KRX), Korea's sole securities exchange operator, is headquartered in Busan. The city is home to a number of financial institutions, such as the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Korea Asset Management Corporation, Korea Housing-Finance Corporation, Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation, Korea Securities Depository, Korea Maritime Guarantee Insurance, Maritime Finance Center, The Korea Shipping and Maritime Transportation Co., Ltd, Korea Asset Management Corporation, and BNK Financial Group.[citation needed]
Commercial areas are dispersed throughout the city near busy intersections and adjacent to university campuses, but the two largest central business districts in Busan areSeomyeon and Gwangbok-dong/Nampo-dong. There are four major shopping areas: Seomyeon, Gwangbok-dong, Busan Daehak-ga in Jangjeon-dong, and Centum City in Haeundae District.
Seomyeon Station is one of the busiest subway stations in Korea; it is thetransfer station betweenBusan Subway Line 1 andLine 2. Seomyeon subway station is also home to a large number of underground stores, selling a variety of products, predominantly clothing, and footwear. These are small stores selling locally produced products. The local head offices of Korean and international banks are located in Seomyeon. It is recognized as the ascendant shopping and entertainment district. It is also home to "Seomyeon Medical Street", the district encompassing the 1 km-radius range aroundLotte Department Store in Seomyeon and the Buam subway station. The Street is home to a total of 160 cosmetic and other medical clinics, including those specializing incosmetic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology and dentistry.[41][42] Directly adjacent to Seomyeon is Bujeon Market, the largest traditional market in the city.
The Gwangbok-dong,Nampo-dong, and Jungang-dong areas form the old central business district. Some of the restaurants in this district use family recipes passed down through the generations.Jagalchi Market, a large seafood market, is located in this area. TheGukje Market is also nearby. Jungang-dong is the home of many international law offices, the old immigration office, and the internationalferry terminal serving Japanese routes.
Busan has many major department stores, includingLotte Department Store (located in Seomyeon, Centum City, Gwangbok-dong and Dongnae), Lotte Premium Outlet (in Gimhae and Gijang),Shinsegae Premium Outlet (in Gijang), as well as large supermarket chains across the city, such asHomeplus,e-mart, andCostco.
Busan's major hotels includeThe Westin Chosun Busan, Paradise Busan, andPark Hyatt Busan. In 2017, Ananti Hilton Busan opened in the Gijang-eup district.[43]
Busan is called the summer capital of Korea[48] since it attracts tourists from all over the country to its six beaches. Luxury hotels and a carnival boardwalk line the beach atHaeundae.Gwangalli Beach has cafés, bars, and restaurants along the beach, and the Grand Gwangan Bridge. Other beaches include Dadaepo Beach on the west edge of the city andSongdo Beach, south of central Busan.
Haeundae Beach is Busan's most famous beach.[49] It is a staple setting for South Korean films and TV shows, such as the 2009 filmTidal Wave.Dongbaekseom is located at the southern end ofHaeundae Beach. This island is picturesque with a thick forest of camellias and pine trees. Tourist attractions on Dongbaek Island include a walking path and the Nurimaru APEC House, built for the 2005 APEC summit. Songjeong beach is the next beach north of Haeundae Beach.
Geumjeongsan to the west is a weekend hiking spot for Busan residents. To the north, the neighborhoods aroundPusan National University (also known as PNU, which is one of the most highly recognized national institutes of higher education in Korea) have student theaters, cafés, bars, and restaurants, as well as open-air cultural street performances on weekend nights. Nearby isBeomeosa, the city's mainKorean Buddhist temple.
Haedong Yonggungsa
Yongdusan Park occupies 69,000m²/17 acres (7 ha) and is home to theBusan Tower, Yongdusan Art Gallery, and theBusan Aquarium, the largest aquarium in South Korea. The park supports approximately seventy different species of trees and is a tourist destination, with various cultural events throughout the year.[50]
Dongnae District is a wealthy and traditional residential area. Dongnae Oncheon is a natural spa area with many baths, tourist hotels, restaurants, clubs, and shopping areas. Many restaurants in the area use family recipes.Chungnyeolsa is a Confucian shrine for soldiers who died during the 16th-century battle against the Japanese at Dongnae Fortress.[51]
Taejongdae is a natural park with cliffs facing the open sea on the island ofYeongdo.
Sign in Russian in Busan on Texas Street
The area known as the "Foreigners' Shopping Street", but commonly referred to as "Texas Street" near part of the Port of Busan, and adjacent to the front entrance to the Busan Train Station (부산역) has many businesses that cater to the localRussian population, as well as the crews of foreign ships. The area was originally the location of the local Chinatown and still contains a Chinese school. The area originally served foreign sailors and American military personnel, but in the 1990s, with the growth of South Korea's ties with Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union, large numbers of Russian-speaking traders and migrants arrived. This led to the emergence of cafes, shops, and services with Cyrillic signage.[52]
Gamcheon Cultural Village was created in the 1950s as a residential community along a mountain slope. The houses in the village are built in a staircase fashion. The village often dubbed the "Machu Picchu of Korea" attracts many tourists. In addition, the village received a special mention during the 3rd edition of the international award ceremony, "UCLG-MEXICO CITY-Culture 21".
Gwangan Bridge, viewed from Dongbaek Island
Busan Citizens Park (formerly Camp Hialeah) is a former Imperial Japanese Army base and United States Army camp located in the Busanjin District.Huinnyeoul Culture Village was created when Korean War refugees flocked to this area. It provides an unhindered view of both the Busanhang and Namhang Ports. A major backdrop of the 2013 filmThe Attorney, the neighborhood was also featured in the 2012 filmNameless Gangster: Rules of the Time. The small houses that stand shoulder to shoulder form the signature look of Busan, which is often remembered as a city of the sea and hilly neighborhoods. The village continues to attract an increasing number of visitors with its new cafes, workshops, and guesthouses.
Daejeo Ecological Park
Millac Waterfront Park is the first waterfront park in Korea, combines the oceanfront with public leisure facilities. The park is located betweenHaeundae Beach andGwangalli Beach. The waterfront park, with an area of 33,507m², can accommodate as many as 40,000 visitors. The floor of the park is decorated with colorful blocks, and the park provides visitors a perfect chance to relax and features flower gardens, gazebos and benches. If you sit on the 3,040–wide stand, you can dip your feet in the water during high tide.
With a length of 7.62 km (4.73 mi) and a size of 2.66 km2 (1.03 sq mi), designated as Natural Monument No. 179, Daejeo Ecological Park is a habitat for migratory birds at theNakdong River Estuary. The estuary was chosen as a trial project for the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. The sports facilities were partially built on the upper and lower parts of the park only, while the rest of the park underwent a restoration of its wetlands and natural grassland. In the garden inside the park, you can find a large-scale habitat for prickly water lilies, which are part of the Endangered Species Level II classification. Many interesting festivals, such as the Nakdong Riverside Cherry Blossom Festival, the Busan Nakdong River Canola Flower Festival, and the Daejeo Tomato Festival are held around this park every year.
Ilgwang Beach is a long white-sand beach, extending for about 1.8 kilometers, and is particularly popular among families with young children as a vacation spot because the waters are quite shallow. Every summer, the Gaetmaeul Outdoor Drama Festival is held on this beach. The festival features diverse performances of traditional Korean music, outdoor dramas, mime shows, and other performance art forms.
Kiswire Museum offers its visitors a chance to better understand wire, a key material for industrial development, and central to Kiswire's corporate philosophy. The museum won the 2014 Busan Architecture Award for its aesthetic design.[citation needed] In addition, the roof of the museum is supported by only 38 cables without any pillars or beams, which makes the museum quite unique. In addition, the museum features special art pieces, including artwork made with wires.
Jeonpo Café Street inSeomyeon, Busan is one of the busiest areas, with a variety of entertainment, restaurants, and stores. Across Seomyeon 1 Beonga (Seomyeon 1st Street), the busiest street in the area, there is a quiet and tranquil street with about 30 unique cafés. The Bujeon-dong and Jeonpo-dong areas were full of hardware stores and machine part suppliers, but since 2010 the area has been transformed into a street full of cafés.[citation needed]
Busan is planning to build the first floating city in the world. So-called Oceanix City will be finished and ready for settlement by 2025.[53]
Busan hosts theBusan International Film Festival (BIFF)—one of the most popular international film festivals in Asia—at theBusan Cinema Center every fall. Busan is also the home of the Busan Biennale, as an international contemporary art biennale that takes place every two years.
The city also hosts the One Asia Festival, the largest K-pop festival in Korea beginning in 2016, positioning itself as the center of K-pop culture.[55]
In 2012, German artist Hendrik Beikirch painted Asia's tallest mural entitled "Fisherman Portrait" on a building near Millak Raw Fish Town.[56]
Busan is home to 80 performance facilities consisting of 30 public ones, including the Busan Cultural Center, Busan Citizens'Hall, Busan Cinema Center, and Busan National Gugak Center. There are 40 private facilities, such as KBS Art Hall Busan, Sohyang Art Center, MBC Samjoo Art Hall, Kyungsung University Concert Hall, and Shinsegae Department Store Culture Hall.
A variety of festivals are held in the Busan throughout the year. Following the Joseon Tongsinsa Festival (Registration of Documents on Joseon Tongsinsa on theUNESCOMemory of the World Programme in 2017) and Busan Port Festival in May, the Busan Sea Festival atHaeundae Beach, the largest beach in Korea, and the Busan International Rock Festival takes place in August. In particular, October is the perfect month to enjoy a variety of festivals, such as theBusan International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Asia, the Busan Fireworks Festival, and the One Asia Festival, a global K-pop music festival. In addition, G-Star, the largest gaming exhibition in Korea, and the e-Sports World Championship are hosted in November, followed by the Busan Christmas Tree Festival in December.
Busan was once a center of military affairs in the southern region of the peninsula and therefore was an important site for diplomatic relationships with Japan; high-ranking officers and officials from the court frequently visited the city. Special foods were prepared for the officers such asDongnae pajeon (동래파전), a variant ofpajeon (Korean savory pancakes), made with whole scallions, sliced chili peppers, and various kinds of seafood in a thickbatter of wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, eggs, salt and water.[60]
Although Seoul remains the de facto film and television capital of South Korea, Busan shares more in common withCannes,France than just its reputation asseaside resort town.[65]
Works set in Busan tend to be crime noirs. Additionally, Busan often appears as an escape location or disaster area. Stories where characters escape to Busan to flee accidents or disasters in Seoul and then escape overseas are quite common clichés in Korean disaster films. Train to Busan carries out an escape to Busan, as the title suggests.
Until the late 1990s, most dramas, movies, commercials, and music videos were filmed in the Seoul area, making filming outside Seoul quite rare. In the early 2000s, it was relatively easy to obtain permits for road closures and explosion scenes in Busan that would have been impossible in Seoul. Thanks to active support from the city, word of mouth started in the film industry, leading to a preference for filming in the Busan area.[70] In particular, the filmHaeundae was a box office success, achieving 10 million viewers.[when?]
Between 1945 and 1951, the city's population grew from 280,000 to 840,000. It decreased from 3,513,777 in 2015 to 3,266,598 in 2024. This decline, which accelerated in the 1990s, is attributed to South Korea's economic shift towards high-tech industries, concentrated around Seoul, and away from Busan's traditional manufacturing base.[73]
Within domestic sports, Busan gained a reputation as something of a "cursed city".[77] While the term "sports curse" is not commonly used in Korean, the failures of its local teams during the 2000s and 2010s have been well-documented and their long-suffering passionate fans often been humorously highlighted by the media.KBO League teamLotte Giants have not won a Korean Series title since the 1990s whileK League original member Daewoo Royals (laterBusan IPark) went through ownership changes and was relegated to the second division in 2015, ending over three decades in the top division. The last time a Busan team had won a title was in 1997, whenKia won the inaugural KBL Championship and Daewoo Royals won theK League title.[78] Professional basketball teamsBusan KCC Egis (men) andBusan BNK Sum (women) ended the drought in 2024 and 2025 respectively by winning their respective championships, the latter becoming the first ever Busan-based franchise to win its championship title at home and coincidentally witha Busan native as its head coach.[79] Such was the significance of Busan KCC Egis's win that it gained extensive national media coverage and the Championship-winning team was personally honored by the Mayor.[80]
Since 1982, the city has been home to theLotte Giants, who play in theKorea Professional Baseball league. In Korea, Busan is known as the capital of baseball and has a reputation for very enthusiastic baseball fans.[81] For the first few years, the Lotte Giants utilizedGudeok Baseball Stadium as their home. In the mid-1980s, they moved toSajik Baseball Stadium, which was built as part of a sports complex for the1986 Asian Games.
The city is home to aK League football club, theBusan IPark. The club was formerly known as the Busan Daewoo Royals and was a successful team during the 1990s. Busan is also home to aK3 League football club, theBusan Transportation Corporation.
The2002 FIFA World Cup was the world's 17th FIFA World Cup, held from 31 May to 30 June 2002 at locations in South Korea and Japan. Busan hosted matches between France and Uruguay, and ROK against Poland at the Busan Asiad Stadium.
The2002 Asian Games were held in Busan from September 29 to October 14, 2002. 9,900 athletes from 44 countries competed in 38 sports. Many public sports complexes and university gymnasiums, including Busan Asiad Stadium were used for the games' venues. The mascot was a seagull, the city bird of Busan named, "Duria".East Timor took part in the games for the first time. As well, North Korea also participated for the first time in an international event held in South Korea.
Busan Motor Show,[85] Busan Port Festival,[86] Busan Contents Market, Busan International Short Film Festival,[87] Joseon Tongsinsa Korea-Japan Exchange Festival,[88] Busan International Performing Arts Festival[89]
June
Haeundae Sand Festival, Busan International Dance Festival, Art Busan[90]
July
Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival,[91]
August
Busan Sea Festival,[92] Busan International Rock Festival,[93] Busan International Magic Festival, Busan International Advertising Festival,Busan International Comedy Festival
September
Busan Biennale, Busan Sea Art Festival, Busan Maru International Music Festival, Busan Queer Festival
Busan has many hospitals and clinics.Many cosmetic surgery, dermatological, ophthalmic, and dental clinics are concentrated inSeomyeon medical street.
Hospitals in Busan include Pusan National University Hospital with 1,300 beds in Ami-dong, Kosin University Gospel Hospital with 957 beds in Amnam-dong, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences specializing in cancer treatment with 298 beds, Dong-A University Hospital with 999 beds in Dongdaesin-dong, Dong-eui Medical Center with 468 beds offering cooperative western and oriental medicine treatment in Yangjeong-dong, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital with 837 beds in Gaegeum-dong, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital with 896 beds in Jwa-dong, Busan Medical Center with 555 beds in Sajik-dong and Busan Veterans Hospital in Jurye-dong, Sasang District. In particular, Seomyeon Medical Street, which first started construction in the Bujeon-dong area beginning in 1990, has formed a cluster of more than 230 medical institutions, full of expertise, that is difficult to find in other parts of the world.[citation needed] The "Seomyeon Medical Street Festival" has taken place annually since 2012.
Major express bus lines link Busan with other cities in Korea at two primary bus terminals, Nopodong Bus Terminal (at the northern terminus of Subway Line 1) and Busan Seobu Bus Terminal at Sasang Station on Subway Line 2.[106] 134 routes of urban bus service reach every part of Busan.
City buses operate a total of 160 routes. There are express buses connecting major areas quickly through tunnels and overpasses and general city buses which make stops at each bus stop. There are also airport buses connecting theGimhae International Airport and the downtown area. Some of the city buses of Busan's adjacent cities includingYangsan,Changwon,Gimhae, andUlsan also offer service to Busan.
Gimhae Airport Limousine Bus is one of the fastest buses connectingGimhae International Airport and the downtown area. As of 2012, three routes are operated by Taeyoung Airport Limousine Corp.
Intercity buses to the eastGyeongnam,Gyeongbuk,Gangwon andGyeonggi Provinces are available at the Busan Central Bus Terminal. Buses offering service to West Gyeongnam andJeolla Province depart from the Busan West Bus Terminal located in Sasang. Buses to the east Gyeongnam area, including Ulsan, Gimhae, and Changwon, theSeoul Metropolitan Area, includingOsan,Suwon,Ansan,Bucheon and Dong Seoul, and the southern Gangwon area, includingDonghae andGangneung, are available at the Haeundae Intercity Bus Terminal. The Dongnae Intercity Bus Terminal has buses to the central and southern Gyeongnam area, including Changwon, Gimhae, Gosung, Tongyoung, and Geoje, as well as toSuncheon,Yeosu andGwangyang.[107]
Busan Port Pier 1 with the International Ferry Terminal (3 docked ferries shown)
Ferries leaving from theInternational Ferry Terminal atBusan Port Pier 3,4 connect Busan to the Japanese ports of Izuhara and Hitakatsu onTsushima Island, as well as the cities ofShimonoseki,Fukuoka, andOsaka on Japan's mainland.[108]
PanStar[109] operates thePanStar Ferry between Busan and Osaka.
TheSeaflower 2, the ferry to Tsushima operated by Dae-a Express Shipping,[110] carries passengers only between Busan and Hitakatsu in 1 hour 40 minutes and between Busan and Izuhara in 2 hours 40 minutes.
TheSeonghee, operated by Pukwan Ferry,[111] links Busan to Shimono.
One of the ferries to Fukuoka is theCamellia, operated by the Camellia Line. The Camellia makes the trip to Fukuoka overnight in 7 hours 30 minutes, and a trip back in the afternoon in 5 hours 30 minutes.
The other ferry service to Fukuoka is assumed by theBeetles and theKobees, 2 fleets of high-speedhydrofoils operated by Miraejet.[112] About five departures from each city are scheduled every day. By hydrofoil, it only takes 2 hours and 55 minutes to cross theKorea Strait to Fukuoka. TheBeetles are owned byJR Kyushu.
Busan lies on a number of rail lines, of which the most important is theGyeongbu Line which connects it to other major cities such asSeoul,Daejeon, andDaegu. All classes of trains run along the Gyeongbu Line, including the super high speedKTX trains which provide frequent services to Seoul in approximately 150 minutes. The Gyeongbu Line terminates atBusan Station. Other lines include theDonghae Nambu Line which connectsUlsan,Pohang andGyeongju.
SRT was first launched in 2016 and runs along the Gyeongbu and Honam high-speed railways. SRT offers a new gateway connecting the Gangnam area of Seoul with major cities. It is directly connected to Subway Line 3 and the Bundang Line, enhancing accessibility to Subway Lines 2, 5, and 8, as well as the Shinbundang Line, and it is also located near the Dongbu Expressway which connects to other major highways.
Anew airport is being built on the southern end ofGadeokdo island to replace Gimhae International Airport, this will be the first airport constructed offshore in South Korea.[113]
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^부산경제통계포털.www.becos.kr (in Korean).Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved12 February 2025.
^ab"2024 종교인식조사 종교인구 현황과 종교 활동" [Status of religious population and religious activities in South Korea (2024)] (in Korean). 11 December 2024.Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved18 January 2025.
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