4 Best Sights in Side Trips from Busan, South Korea

The waters off of Tongyeong are home to scores of beautiful, sleepy islands, most of which are part of the Hallyeohaesang National Park. The crown jewel, arguably, is Bijindo, which is actually two tree-covered mountains connected by a white sand spit, which in turn makes up one of the most idyllic beaches in the country. Most Koreans come to Bijindo to hike, while others arrive for the fishing and beach action. The island has plenty of basic accommodations available in the form of pensions and mibaks, the bare-bones, sleep-on-the-floor rooms found throughout the beaches and mountains of Korea. There are also some very simple restaurants, though many people choose to bring their own food. Boats leave three times a day (6:50 am, 10:50 am, 2:30 pm) from Tongyeong's Passenger Terminal. The trip takes about 40 minutes.

One of the most prominent museums in the country, Gyeongju National Museum is dedicated to the art, history, and treasures of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–AD 935), with weapons, armor, clothing, pottery, statues, royal crowns, and more on display.  An hour or so browsing its exhibits will give you a deeper appreciation of the civilization that once called Gyeongju its capital. If you really want to understand the Silla period, this should be your first stop in town.

Nestled at the base of the stone-crowned Yeongchuksan, Korea's largest temple is a village unto itself. With more than 65 buildings within the temple grounds, Tongdosa is one of the country's "Three Jewel Temples" and is famous for having no outside statues of Buddha. This is because the temple contains relics of the Buddha himself, including a robe, a begging bowl, and a supposed piece of his skull. For all of its history, art, and heritage, Tongdosa shines brightest as a nature destination. The valley it calls home is a stunning piece of real estate, and the mountain that looms over the temple and surrounding town is like a gargantuan stone sentinel. You can feel the power emanating from the rock and understand at once why, centuries ago, it was decided that this was a holy place. Tongdosa also hosts temple stays, if you're in the mood to experience life from the inside.

At 1,240 meters (4,068 feet) Gajisan is the highest mountain in the Yeongnam Alps, and makes a great day trip for anyone wanting to summit the peak. The best approach is from the trailhead at Baegyeonsa Temple. While it's a challenging hike in spots, the trail is well-developed and it can be done by anyone in reasonable physical condition. And like any great trek, the view from the top makes all the hard work worth it.