4 Best Sights in Elsewhere in Busan, Busan

First constructed in 678 AD, Beomeosa Temple sits on the flank of Geumjeongsan mountain just on the outskirts of Busan, though it feels a world away from the bustling city below. This is one of Korea's most renowned Buddhist temple complexes and is a beautiful example of mid-Joseon Dynasty temple architecture. Beomeosa is a sizable temple so give yourself plenty of time to explore—the main hall houses the Seokgamoni Buddha and two bodhisattvas; there are seven royal palace wings, three gates, and a bell pavilion with a three-story pagoda and a lantern dating from the Silla Dynasty. A free guided tour is available in English from the small office near the bus stop. Beomeosa also has a temple stay program if you care to spend the night. From Beomeosa station (exit 5) it's a five-minute walk to the bus station where bus 90 will take the rest of the way.

The massif of Geumjeongsan dominates much of the Busan skyline, and a visit to its ancient, fortress-topped ridge should be part of most any itinerary. The best way to access the mountain is from Geumgang Park, where you can ride the cable car and soak up spectacular views of the city during the 15-minute trip to the top. 

Enjoy your time up on the ridge by hiking its trails, and once you've worked up your appetite, be sure to stop off at the Sanseong Village for a hearty lunch of heok yeomso bulgogi (marinated black goat meat) or baeksuk (steamed ginseng chicken), along with a filling array of side dishes. Most of the restaurants in the village also provide a shuttle van that will ferry you to back down to the city and drop you off at Oncheonjang Station, completing the loop. 

Said to be the the largest natural hot spring spa in all of Asia, this mammoth, pavilion-like complex is the granddaddy of soaking in Busan. There are more than 40 different kinds of baths available, including large open areas, cozy grottos, green tea and waterfall baths, as well outdoor pools. These range in temperature from geyser hot to glacially cold, so if one pool doesn't suit your taste, you're sure to find a perfect fit the next one over.

The Heoshimcheong also includes a unisex jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) with heated rooms and relaxation areas, along with a nightclub, hotel, banquet rooms, as well a massive German-style hof where they brew beer their own beer and serve it up with sausages and pretzels. There's also a house band that rocks the roof off the place seven nights a week.

Escape the bustle of Busan and wander through 200 pine trees and camellias that line the coast at this lovely park. Most visitors come for the spectacular views of the jagged cliffs and the distant Oryuk-do Islets just beyond the 19th-century lighthouse. To get a feel for the park without breaking a sweat, ride the tram that circles the park or grab any one of the boats for hire that ply the nearby coast. There are also several hiking trails through the pine forests and along the rugged coastline.