Top places to visit in Busan during the winter
Known as the “City of Tomorrow,” Busan is the second largest metropolitan area in Korea. It has a reputation for being a hot destination throughout the year, thanks to its charm, amazing cultures, festivals, and, of course, loads of things to do and places to go.
While Korea can be extremely cold during the winter, Busan has it a bit milder during this period. Winter in Busan can be quite cold, but it is also sunny; the average temperature is usually a few degrees above freezing, and the temperature can drop to 10 °C (14 °F) or even below in the worst cases. But compared to other places, there are more mild winters here. So, during the cold winter season, from December to the following February, one can still enjoy the pleasures Busan has to offer. With that said, here are the top places to visit and marvel at in Busan during the winter.
- Busan Sea Life Aquarium
- Eden Ski Resort
- Spa Land
- Shinsegae Centum City Department Store
- Haeundae Beach for the Polar Swim Festival
- Gwangbok-ro in Jung-gu district for the Busan Christmas Tree Festival
- Yongdusan Park
- Jagalchi Fish Market
- Gamcheon Culture Village.
- Beomosa Temple
1. Busan Sea Life Aquarium
Photo Credits: CathyLovee
Location: 266, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan.
Website: www.busanaquarium.com
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00am – 7:00pm), Friday to Sunday, and on National Holidays (9:00am – 9:00pm). The last admission is an hour before closing time.
The Busan Sea Life Aquarium is definitely one of the best places to visit during the winter. You get to delve into the magic of the ocean, appreciate the essence of sea creatures, and marvel at the wonders of nature. This 36,000 m2 area has eight unique themed sections to discover and houses over 250 species of reptiles, fish, amphibians, and algae; as well as 10,000 aquatic creatures on display.
There is the snowy playground that features igloos, ball pools, and the awesome Bingo Zone, where you can have loads of fun and take lovely pictures to remember the moments. The Aquarium also has the Night Zone, where you can see sea animals and enjoy an engaging educational experience learning about these different species. Plus, there is no visit to this top-rated aquarium in Korea without being mesmerized by an underwater tunnel that feels like one is taking a walk along the sea bed with different sea creatures swimming above and around you. Let’s not forget to mention that you can join a sea turtle rescue team and take part in feeding the penguins and otters at the Busan Aquarium. People of all ages have something to do in this fascinating location, and the entry fee is reasonably affordable. Needless to say, the Busan Sea Life Aquarium should be a top location on your must-visit list during winter in Busan.
2. Eden Ski Resort
Photo Credits: Trazy
Location: 1206 Eosil-ro, Gangseo-dong, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do.
Website: http://www.edenvalley.co.kr/
Contact number: +82-55-379-8000
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday (09:30am – 5:00pm, 5:00pm – 01:00am). Break time runs from 5:00pm – 7:00pm every day.
Enjoy snow and winter sports with a visit to the nice wonderland, Eden Valley Ski Resort, located in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. This ski resort might be smaller than others in the country, like the Phoenix Park Ski Resort or the Yongpyong Ski Resort, but for those in Busan, it is very accessible.
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will have a great time because the resort has seven slopes to accommodate all levels of expertise, from complete novices to sensational advanced skiers. Out of the seven ski slopes, there are two reserved for beginners, three set aside for intermediate skiers, and the rest for professionals. You could also choose to go snowboarding or enjoy a thrill ride sliding down the side of the 1209-meter Sinbulsan Mountain, where the resort is situated. In addition, there is ski equipment readily available for rent and an hour of tutorial upon arrival. So, there’s nothing stopping you from having an awesome winter in Busan when you stop at the Eden Ski Resort.
3. Spa Land
Photo Credits: Bettyjourney
Location: 35, Centumnam-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Telephone: +82-51-745-2900
Opening hours: 6am to 12pm
One of the best things you can do for yourself during the winter in Busan is to visit the Spa Land in Shinsegae Centum City. You get to enjoy the various saunas available and, of course, the natural hot springs Korea is famous for. The heat would warm up your body against the cold of winter and help you enjoy the bliss of de-stressing.
Spa Land is a gigantic establishment that houses the infamous hot spring water that is famous during the winter, thirteen sauna and spa areas, and other relaxation and entertainment facilities such as beauty treatment rooms, snack bars, restaurants, etc. The waters found in this place are usually of two types: those pumped with sodium bicarbonate hot springs or those pumped with sodium chloride hot springs. The former is said to make the skin and hair shiny through the removal of dead skin, while the latter works to improve blood circulation and relieve body pain.
The thirteen different saunas are uniquely designed with different temperatures and functionalities. For instance, the Salt Room, with a steamy 50.5C, uses rough salt stones from the Himalayas known to aid with skin ailments and blood circulation. The steam from the Roman Room and Hamman Room, with temperatures of 35.8 °C and 36.6 °C, respectively, helps with metabolism and waste elimination. So, it goes without saying that you get multiple packages from a visit to Spa Land. You get to de-stress, give yourself a treat, escape from the cold of the winter, restore your skin’s natural beauty, and enjoy health benefits.
4. Shinsegae Centum City Department Store
Photo Credits: Lonely Planet
Location: 35 Centumnam-daero, U-dong, Haeundae, Busan.
Website: www.shinsegae.com
Telephone: +82 1588-1234
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday (11:00am – 8:00pm), Friday – Sunday and Holidays (10:30am – 9:00pm)
Shinsegae Centum City Department Store is certainly an amazing place to visit during the winter in Busan. You get to appreciate the warmth of being indoors as you shop for various kinds of items, and also enjoy other pleasures the facility has to offer. On every floor, there are different things to delight in. There is the golf range, the Trinity restaurant, and other lovely eateries, event halls, various boutiques for women’s wear, men’s wear, children’s wear, outdoor outfits, and wristwatches; a cosmetic store, a theme park, a cinema, the infamous Spa Land, and an ice rink, amongst others.
It is no wonder that Shinsegae Centum City is one of the pride of Busan; it literally has everything you could think of. If you choose not to delve into luxury shopping, you can practice a bit of golf or go ice skating. It is fair to say that one can’t go through the entire facility available in the establishment in a day. So, throughout the winter season in Busan, there would be no lack of things to do and explore when you decided to stop by the Shinsegae department store.
5. Haeundae Beach for the Polar Swim Festival
Photo Credits: Korea Herald
Location: Haeundae Beach
Website: bear.busan.com
A stop at the beach during the cold winter may not be anywhere near your list of places to visit. But the Haeundae Polar Bear Festival held every winter at Haeundae Beach is a very good reason to add it to your list. The event is an annual festival that is recognized by BBC as being a unique winter sport, with over 2,000 people participating yearly.
It usually begins with an early morning swimming contest, followed by the main polar swim event. The event involves very brave men and women stripping down to their swimsuits and rushing off in the cold into the freezing sea. The adrenaline boost, the sense of accomplishment, and the mad fun are what have made this unique sport last for over three decades. Even if you don’t have the courage to join them, watching alone can engulf you in their wild energy. After the main event, they usually have a K Pop concert, a massive water slide, dance shows, and a host of others. The idea of this special festival is to swim in the cold, just like polar bears, and enjoy the benefits it has to offer. Either way, the Polar Bear Festival makes Haeundae Beach a top destination during the winter.
6. Gwangbok-ro in Jung-gu district for the Busan Christmas Tree Festival
Photo Credit: Daily Travel Pill
Location: Around Gwangbok-ro area of the Jung-gu District
Website: http://bctf.kr/
If you are in Busan in December during the winter season, then you most definitely need to find your way to Gwangbok-ro, where the annual Busan Christmas Tree Festival is held. This festival which runs for 40 days, is a massive celebration and the perfect winter event to attend while in Busan.
At the entrance to Gwangbok-ro, you would be welcomed by huge, decorated Christmas trees with beautiful LED lights. The illuminations from the tree with flashes of red, blue, and silver are so mind-blowing that it would not be strange to find people gathered around it mesmerized and enjoying the warmth of being around others. The roads are lined up with gorgeously decorated trees, like one has stepped into a Christmas story. You would definitely stop in your tracks once you see the main highlight of the festival—the mighty 18 meter tall Christmas tree placed in the center. The other trees light up the streets, but this particular tree creates a powerful scenery that takes one’s breath away.
In addition, there are carols sung in the evening, cultural performances, live concerts, flashes of cameras, and lovely smiles and laughter to make the winter season feel warmer and sweeter.
7. Yongdusan Park
Location: Yongdusan Park
During other times of the year, Yongdusan Park is a delightful place to visit, but in the winter, it is known for being the venue for the magnificent New Year’s Eve celebration. To usher in the New Year with loads of good wishes and an open heart, the city of Busan has its annual New Year festival, which comprises a bell-tolling ceremony held at Yongdusan Park and the New Year’s sunrise event held at Haeundae Beach.
Despite the cold, many people gather from far and near to welcome in the New Year; as they believe it is a way of starting a new chapter with energy and renewed hope. So if you happen to be in Busan for the winter on New Year’s Eve, then the Yongdusan Park is the place to visit and be mesmerized by this tradition. The bell tolling ceremony commences with a 10-second countdown, followed by 33 bell tolls that mark the new beginning. The 33 times symbolize the Buddhist Goddess Mercy’s 33 unique manifestations to save humankind. Then the spectacular fireworks come next, after which people can enjoy hot tea and fish cakes at the service booths.
8. Jagalchi Fish Market
Location: 52, Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Website: jagalchimarket.bisco.or.kr
Opening hours: Everyday (5 am – 10 pm). Closed on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.
Another place to visit in winter is the Jagalchi Fish Market, which has a reputation for being the largest seafood market in Korea with different varieties of seafood, a lovely ambience, a clean environment, outdoor street performances, and an awesome view of the sea as part of its package.
What could be more amazing in winter than enjoying a hot, delicious seafood meal in a cozy restaurant? You could buy the live seafood on the ground floor and take it up to the second floor for them to prepare for you and serve it hot!, at a little cost. There is also the alternative of getting to the buffer restaurant on the fifth floor, where you can choose from a variety of seafood meals. Although the smell may be disturbing to some people, a visit to the Jagalchi Fish Market can be a wonderful winter experience.
9. Gamcheon Culture Village.
Location: 203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
Website: www.gamcheon.or.kr
If you want to enjoy the transformation that the winter season brings to a place, then a visit to the Gamcheon Culture Village is a must-have experience. The colorful terraced houses situated along the mountainside, the captivating sculptures, and the lovely murals that decorate the village add to the nice scenery and charming aura of the Gamcheon Culture Village in the winter ambience.
10. Beomosa Temple
Photo Credits: Thousandwonders
Location: 250, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan.
If there’s a place that embraces the wonderful ambience of the winter season in Busan, it is the Beomosa Temple. It is one of the prominent temples in Busan, known for being a strong anchor of Buddhism in the area.
You can take part in the temple stay; a cultural program that allows its participants to experience the essence of Korean Buddhism. The program includes the Seon meditation (known as Chamseon), formal Buddhist meals (known as Baru Gongyang), and the 108 bows (known as Baekpalbae). You can also explore the structures found in the temple, such as the Jogyemun Gate (Iljumun) that symbolizes the path to enlightenment or the Cheonwangmun Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings; believed to rule and drive away evil spirits, among other side attractions. The plus side is that all these would have a unique feel during the winter.
I hope this article has been helpful in giving you a list of places to visit in Busan in the winter. Have a lovely adventure!