Busan Travel1 Busan Old City Center Time Travel

Busan Old City Center Time Travel: A Walking Course from Hotel to History, Seeking Taste and Style

Planning a trip to Busan? If you want to truly experience the charm of Busan's heart, the old city center, pay attention to this course! Starting from the Busan Grand Bern Hotel and passing through the area around Jagalchi Market (including BIFF Square and Gwangbok-ro), Gukje Market, Bosu-dong Book Street, and ending at the Busan Museum of Contemporary History, this route is the best walking tour course to experience Busan's past and present, taste, and style all at once.

Recommended Route:

Busan Grand Bern Hotel → Nampo-dong Pier (near Jagalchi Market) → Area Around Jagalchi Market (BIFF Square, Gwangbok-ro) → Gukje Market → Bosu-dong Book Street → Busan Museum of Contemporary History

Busan Grand Bern Hotel Address: 38, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea Jagalchi Market (Near Nampo-dong Pier) Address: 52, Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea BIFF Square Address: 58-1, Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan Gwangbok-ro Address: Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan,  Gukje Market Address: 55, Gukjesijang 2-gil, Jung-gu, Busan, Bosu-dong Book Street Address: Bosu-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Busan,  Busan Museum of Contemporary History Address: 104, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan,

(Map Visualization Note)

Most of this route is walkable. You can easily check the path and follow it by entering the addresses below in order into a smartphone map app like Google Maps, Naver Map, or Kakao Map and using the 'walking directions' function. The distance between each point is not far, making it perfect for a leisurely walk while sightseeing.

1. Start: Busan Grand Bern Hotel

• Address: 11, Daecheong-ro 126beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
• Features: A clean and comfortable hotel with excellent accessibility to the old city center areas like Nampo-dong and Jungang-dong. It's a convenient starting point for your trip.

2. Nampo-dong Pier (near Jagalchi Market)

 

 

• Address (Jagalchi Market): 52, Jagalchihae안-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
• Introduction: As you walk from the hotel towards Nampo-dong, you'll feel the lively atmosphere of Jagalchi Market, a symbol of Busan. It's filled with fresh seafood, and the friendly calls of the merchants yelling 'Oiso, Boiso, Saiso!' (Come, See, Buy!) mingle with the salty sea air.
• Famous for: Fresh raw fish (hoe), grilled conger eel (gomjangeo), grilled fish set meals. The view of Namhang Bridge and Yeongdo Island from the market building's observation deck is also excellent.
• Brief History: A fish market that naturally formed after the opening of Busan Port. It became more active after the Korean War, establishing itself as Busan's largest seafood market.

3.  Area Around Jagalchi Market (BIFF Square, Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street)

 

• Address (BIFF Square): Biff Gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
• Introduction: Cross the street from Jagalchi Market, and you'll immediately enter the youthful, vibrant streets of Nampo-dong, which are right in the vicinity of the market. This area includes BIFF Square, the birthplace of the Busan International Film Festival, and Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street, where you can find the latest trends.
• Famous & Food:
  • Ssiat Hotteok (Seed-filled Sweet Pancake): A must-try in BIFF Square! Filled with nuts, it's savory and sweet. People often line up for this treat.
  • Various Street Foods: Delicious snacks like Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), Eomuk (fish cakes), Dakgangjeong (sweet and spicy fried chicken), and more are abundant in this area.
  • Shopping: Enjoy Browse fashion, cosmetics, and accessory stores lining Gwangbok-ro.
• Brief History: The BIFF Square area was known as a theater district since the 1960s and was named BIFF Square when the film festival began in 1996. Gwangbok-ro has a history as a bustling street during the Japanese colonial era and continues to be a major shopping area.

4. Gukje Market

 

• Address: Area around Sinchang-dong 4(sa)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan (It's very large)
• Introduction: This massive multi-item market is often described as a place where you can find 'everything except what's not there.' It's fun to explore the maze-like alleys, each filled with unique items. Try to find 'Kkotbunine,' a spot famous as a backdrop in the movie <Ode to My Father> (<국제시장>).
• Famous & Food:
  • Arirang Street: Various food alleys (Gimbap, Bibim-dangmyeon - spicy mixed glass noodles, Chungmu Gimbap, Red Bean Porridge, etc.).
  • Used Goods Alley: Fun for finding vintage clothing or items.
  • Kkangtong Market (Bupyeong Kkangtong Market): Connected to Gukje Market, especially famous for its night market food. (Recommended to visit in the evening).
• Brief History: Formed after liberation by trading goods left by Japanese people, foreign relief goods, and items from US military bases. It grew significantly during the Korean War as a livelihood center for refugees, taking on its current form.

5. Bosu-dong Book Street

 

• Address: Area around Chaekbanggolmok-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
• Introduction: A short walk from Gukje Market reveals Bosu-dong Book Street, a place where time seems to have stopped. Old bookstores line both sides of the narrow alley, creating a unique atmosphere. It's a great place to take a break amidst the scent of old books.
• Famous for: Used books, old books, LP records, etc. There are also charming cafes where you can relax and read a book.
• Brief History: Started during the Korean War when a refugee couple began selling used magazines. It naturally developed into a book street by selling waste paper and used books from US military bases.

6. Arrive: Busan Museum of Contemporary History

 

 

 

• Address: 104, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
• Introduction: Walk a short distance from Bosu-dong Book Street to reach today's final destination. This building itself holds historical significance (former Busan Branch of the Oriental Development Company, former USIS Cultural Center). Inside, it's filled with vibrant exhibits showcasing Busan's history from the port opening to the present day.
• Famous for: Exhibits offering a glimpse into Busan's history, including the port opening, the Japanese colonial era, the Korean War and its time as the provisional capital, and the industrialization process. Special exhibitions are also held occasionally.
• Brief History: The building was constructed in 1929 during the Japanese colonial era as the Busan branch of the Oriental Development Company, an institution for colonial exploitation. After liberation, it was used as a US military dormitory and later as the USIS (United States Information Service) Cultural Center. Following a return movement by Busan citizens, it was returned in 1999 and opened as the Busan Museum of Modern History in 2003. It recently underwent remodeling and reopened as the Busan Museum of Contemporary History.

✨ The Charm of This Course:

• History: Experience Busan's history condensed, from the port opening and the Japanese colonial era to the Korean War and modernization.
• Taste: Enjoy a variety of flavors, from fresh seafood to street snacks and market foods.
• Culture: Encounter diverse culture, including a film street, a book alley, and a lively market.
• Walking: If you love walking, you'll enjoy exploring every corner of Busan's old city center alleys.

We hope this walking tour course through Busan's old city center, starting from Busan Grand Bern Hotel, helps you create unforgettable memories of Busan! Enjoy your trip!