cruise
Busan
Tteokbokki ( rice cakes with chiles ) Above : Haedong Yonggungsa
Temple in Busan Left : The view of the Kanmon Straits from Hinoyama Park
Busan is South Korea ’ s second-mostpopulous city — home to 3.4 million residents , just one-third the number of the capital city . While Seoul is more of a cosmopolitan metropolis , Busan has fewer international visitors and exhibits the more relaxed and laid-back feel of a beachfront city . Its landscape is a contrasting mix of traditional temples , skyscrapers , rocky cliffs and sandy beaches .
Peruse the stalls in one of Busan ’ s markets , such as Jagalchi Market , near the Nampo area ; Haeundae Traditional Market , next to Haeundae Beach ; or Gukje Market , the city ’ s largest . Adventurous eaters can try beondegi , a boiled or steamed snack made with silkworm pupae , or sannakji , a dish of sliced live octopus served still wiggling on the plate . Other , more tame Korean specialties include Korean barbecue ( the meat is cooked on a tableside grill ) and tteokbokki , chewy rice cakes served in a spicy red sauce .
When it comes to temples , Busan has several worth exploring . This includes one of only 10 Hwaeomsa temples in Korea , the Beomeosa Temple , built in CE 678 . There ’ s also the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple , which occupies a dramatic location , perched against a cliff on the rocky coastline . Visitors can also compare the panoramic views from the observation deck of Yongdusan Park ’ s Busan Tower and the Skyway Observatory to see which offers the best in town . The latter has views of Busan Port Bridge and Jagalchi Market .
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