After half a month of planning, my 9-day Busan trip with my bestie finally came true. Riding the crystal cable car to see the sea, exploring ancient Hanok villages, visiting the ancient Silla city, and enjoying seafood and BBQ – the whole trip was incredibly relaxing!
Pre-trip preparation:
Visa: Residents in Shanghai can apply for a visa themselves, but appointments now need to be made in advance on the official website. Slots for the next two weeks open every Monday. South Korea uses e-visas, so you'll need to print out your visa after it's issued and bring it with you when you depart.
Entry: Fill out the electronic arrival card three days in advance. Paper versions are also distributed on the plane.
Day 1: Shanghai ✈️ Daegu
Arrived in Daegu in the afternoon. Took a taxi to the hotel, dropped off luggage, and went out to find food.
Food: Geusong Galbi
Accommodation: Toyoko Inn Daegu Dongseong-ro
Day 2: Daegu 🚌 Jeonju (3 hours)
Daegu has Dongdaegu and Seodaegu stations. We bought high-speed bus tickets for Seodaegu in advance; tickets can also be purchased at self-service machines at the station.
Jeonju's attractions are concentrated and can be covered in half a day. Walk to Hanok Village. Gyeonggijeon Shrine admission is 3,000 won. Visit Jeonju Jeondong Catholic Church and Pungnammun Gate. The Observatory Cafe offers panoramic views of the Hanok village.
Food: Jeonju traditional bibimbap (Gung-eon-bang), PNB Chocolate Pie
Accommodation: Jeonju Gloucester Hotel
Day 3: Jeonju 🚌 Busan (3 hours)
It was rainy, so we found an old-fashioned cafe for brunch.
Cafe: 1938 Mansion
Our Busan hotel was very close to the beach (sea view room), 600 meters from Haeundae subway station.
Accommodation: Toyoko Inn Busan Haeundae 2
Day 4: Gyeongju day trip
Gyeongju's attractions are quite spread out. We booked a day tour with a Chinese-speaking guide through a certain travel platform. Itinerary: Bulguksa Temple, Yangdong Folk Village, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Hwanglidan-gil Street, Woljeonggyo Bridge, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (If you go by yourself, you can buy bus tickets at Haeundae Intercity Bus Terminal).
Food: Gyeongju bread, Korean medicinal soup
Day 5: Busan
There are several Busan Pass options. We bought the Big3 e-card for 188 RMB. The physical card can be topped up and used as a transportation card.
X the Sky Observatory (Busan Pass accepted). Visit the tallest Starbucks in East Asia.
Lunch: Yulling (Michelin-starred, booked one month in advance on Catch Table)
Walk to Mipo Sky Capsule Station. Mipo Station → Cheongsapo is the best route (30 minutes). Cheongsapo is known as "Little Kamakura," with beautiful coastal trains and red and white lighthouses.
Tips: Tickets for a specific week open on Tuesday at 7 AM KST, four weeks before the boarding date. A 2-person capsule costs 50,000 won.
Shinsegae Department Store: Get a membership card on B1 for a 5% discount and two drink coupons.
Day 6: Ulsan (20 minutes by KTX)
Today's Seomyeon hotel is not far from the subway station, a 500-meter walk to Lotte Duty Free.
High-speed rail tickets can be bought in advance on a certain travel platform or at the train station. Platform information is displayed on the large screen 15 minutes before departure. There is no security check to enter the station and no ticket check to board the train.
Pyeongsan Bookstore
Took a taxi 5 kilometers to Tongdosa Temple. Free temple food is served at 11:30 AM.
In the afternoon, returned to Busan to explore Nampo-dong BIFF Square. In the evening, ate seafood at Jagalchi Market. Stall 218's owner was very nice.
Busan Tower night view (Busan Pass accepted).
Gwangalli Bridge beach night view. There's a drone show on Saturday nights at 8 PM and 10 PM.
Accommodation: Dwelling Hotel Seomyeon Central
Day 7: Busan
Songdo Marine Cable Car (Busan Pass accepted). Yonggung Suspension Bridge on the island costs 1,000 won for admission.
Gamcheon Culture Village. Visit the Little Prince's World. It's very photogenic when the weather is good.
192 Steps. There's a free mini cable car for those with mobility issues.
Day 8: Busan 🚞 Daegu (45 minutes by KTX)
The area near the hotel is great for exploring: Gyesan Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, Kim Gwang-seok Street.
Accommodation: Toyoko Inn Daegu Dongseong-ro
Day 9: Daegu ✈️ Shanghai
Hanok Starbucks, Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine (closed on Mondays). Hyundai Department Store is near the hotel, and Shinsegae Department Store is at Daegu Station.
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