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  • The city of Busan sits on the Korean Peninsula's south-eastern coastline,

  • just a short flight from Asian capitals like Beijing and Tokyo,

  • and a two-and-a-half hour bullet train ride from Seoul.

  • South Korea's largest port and second-largest city

  • spreads out along the jagged coastline of the Yeongnam Region,

  • and rises into a sea of mountains beyond.

  • From the shellfish which drew Paleolithic gatherers to its rugged shores,

  • to the never-ending offerings of Jagalchi Fish Market,

  • from the Joseon ships of old,

  • to the dockyards which helped drive South Korea's economic miracle,

  • Busan has forever been linked to the ocean.

  • As the world races further into the 21st century,

  • Busan continues to evolve,

  • into a haven where hard-working Koreans can let their hair down,

  • reflect on the past,

  • and peer into the future.

  • While the bustling port underpins Busan's economic vitality,

  • it's the city's beaches which increasingly draw travellers from all over Asia.

  • Just a 40-minute subway ride from Busan Station is the city's star attraction,

  • Haeundae Beach, South Korea's biggest and best-loved beachside hangout.

  • Follow the long sweep of sands eastward to Dalmaji Hill,

  • an outlook adored by the wandering poets of yesteryear

  • and the coffee lovers of today.

  • While at Haeundae's eastern end,

  • take the paths through Dongbaek Park to APEC House,

  • where Asian and Pacific leaders enjoyed some of Busan's most celebrated views

  • during their 2005 summit.

  • Busan's ever-changing coastline offers scenery

  • and activities to match your every mood.

  • For total relaxation,

  • unroll your towel on the half-moon curve of Gwangalli Beach,

  • and enjoy gentle waters,

  • laid-back vibes,

  • and views to Diamond Bridge.

  • If you're looking for adventure,

  • join a charter at the fishing village of Cheongsapo.

  • Or step out onto the skywalk at the end of the Yongho-Dong Peninsula,

  • and take in the views of the Oryukdo Islands just offshore.

  • Seeking a little enlightenment?

  • Head to Gijang,

  • and make a wish at the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple,

  • one of the few Buddhist temples in Korea built by the ocean.

  • Cross historic Yeongdodaegyo Bridge and head to Taejongdae Park.

  • It was at these cliffs where, according to legend,

  • gods and goddesses once came to relax,

  • and the 29th King of Silla spent his leisure time shooting arrows into the passing clouds.

  • For today's mere mortals,

  • the park's the perfect place to slip into a slower state of mind

  • as cargo ships journey to far off ports.

  • The meditative mood continues at Songdo Beach.

  • Step across the swirling waters on the elevated walkway,

  • whose curves depict a mythical dragon taking flight from it's coastal lair.

  • Then, let your mind wander and the kids run free at Dadaepo Beach.

  • Here, at the mouth of South Korea's longest river,

  • the endless sands and sea mists blur the lines between heaven and earth.

  • While Busan's story has been continually shaped by the sea,

  • it's a city equally defined by its mountains.

  • Just above the port,

  • ride the escalator to the summit of Yongdusan Park

  • and share the views with the statue of 16th century naval hero,

  • Admiral Yi Sun Sin.

  • On nearby Mt Cheonma,

  • take the 20-minute hike to the observation platform to seeDynamic Busan

  • spread out before you.

  • In the city's north,

  • climb aboard a cable car for the five-minute ride to Geumgang Park,

  • the home to Busan's highest peak.

  • Join the thousands of locals who hike here each weekend,

  • exploring the forest trails and walls of Geumgang Fortress.

  • The park is also home to Beomeosa Temple,

  • whose warrior monks fought off invaders in the 16th century,

  • and again in the 20th.

  • Busan never forgets its heroes, and at nearby Chungnyeolsa Temple,

  • pay your respects to the spirits of Busan's patriots who gave their lives

  • when their city was besieged by Japanese troops in 1592.

  • In 1950, Busan was again under siege.

  • At the UN Memorial Cemetery,

  • visit the gravesites of some of the 140,000 troops

  • who formed a last-ditch perimeter around Busan,

  • fighting off waves of North Korean soldiers.

  • Busan was one of the few cities of the south not to fall during the Korean War,

  • becoming a safe haven for over half a million refugees.

  • At the UN Peace Memorial Hall,

  • the sacrifices of both combatants and civilians are remembered,

  • as are the stories of suffering from ongoing conflicts around the globe.

  • Busan owes much to it's resilient refugees.

  • Dishes born of post-war hardship have been perfected into culinary masterpieces.

  • An alleyway where a refugee couple sold magazines discarded by American GIs

  • grew into an entire street of bookshops.

  • And a few humble stalls where the newcomers traded life's basics

  • is now one of Korea's biggest and best-loved traditional markets,

  • selling everything from Kimchi to sneakers.

  • Busan's refugees first filled the portside areas,

  • before building hundreds of makeshift homes on the steep barren hills around the city.

  • After years of keeping their noses to the grindstone,

  • the residents of Gamcheon have embraced their creative side,

  • adorning their laneways and walls with artworks

  • which have transformed their neighbourhood into one of the city's top tourist attractions.

  • Gamcheon's makeover symbolises Busan's new-found creative,

  • cultural and entrepreneurial energy which has blossomed all over the city.

  • See this energy in its world-class museums,

  • galleries,

  • and festivals.

  • Hear it, in the happy bustle of its shopping streets,

  • and across the three-million-square-feet of the world's largest department store.

  • Smell it; Taste it, in a cuisine which lures foodies and seafood lovers from all over the globe.

  • And feel it, as the city erupts in light each night,

  • just like the displays of its annual lantern festival.

  • After centuries of keeping enemies from its gates, and decades of hardship and toil,

  • this rollicking port town has at last come into its own.

  • Today's Busan is a bridge, perfectly connecting the past and future into a very special now.

  • Welcome to Busan, a feast for all the senses, and the soul.

The city of Busan sits on the Korean Peninsula's south-eastern coastline,

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