Four Itchy Feet

August 21, 2025. Busan, South Korea.

We spent our day exploring the vibrant city of Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city and a bustling port known for its beaches, temples, and seafood.

Our first stop was Haedong Yonggungsa, or Dragon Palace Temple, a stunning Buddhist temple perched dramatically on the rocky northeastern coast. Unlike most temples in Korea, which are nestled in the mountains, this one offers breathtaking views of the sea. Unfortunately, it was hard to fully enjoy the serenity with the sheer number of tourists crowding the grounds.

From there, we made our way to Nurimaru APEC House, an elegant, glass-walled building located on Dongbaekseom Island. This modern structure was purpose-built to host the 2005 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The interior has been preserved to reflect its original state during the conference, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of world leaders.

Next, we visited the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, a peaceful and moving tribute to the soldiers from 22 nations who gave their lives during the Korean War. The well-kept grounds and thoughtful memorials serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to defend what is today a thriving democracy—the Republic of Korea.

Afterwards, we headed to Gamcheon Culture Village, often referred to as the “Machu Picchu of Busan.” Originally a modest hillside neighborhood built by refugees after the Korean War, it has since been transformed into a colorful, artistic enclave. A government initiative invited artists to revitalize the area with murals, sculptures, and installations, turning it into one of Busan’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Our final stop was the famous Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea’s largest seafood market. Here, we were overwhelmed by the vast selection of sea creatures—some we couldn’t even name—all alive and wriggling in tanks. You can select your seafood and have it prepared on the spot at a restaurant on the second floor. It was a raw, eye-opening experience we won’t forget anytime soon.

We absorbed so much of Korea’s culture, history, and way of life in just a few hours that it’s hard to capture it all in one post. This truly was an unforgettable day. We’re planning to return to Busan in 10 days—stay tuned for that post, where we’ll be exploring the famous Haeundae Beach and more!