I ended up at the Busan Tourist Hotel, a 3-star hotel in old Busan, within an easy walk of several points of interest and--most importantly--the Nampo-dong subway station. The hotel itself was probably built in the '80s and is about due for a reno, but it's clean and comfortable--and it's got Internet. Basically all you need. And, as you can see, the view of Busan Tower out my window was pretty good too.
Busan Tower sits on ground that for two hundred years was the only place in Korea where trade with Japan was allowed. Now the site serves as a ceremonial ground and has a number of galleries and museums with names like the International Museum of Musical Instruments and the Model Ship Museum.
In keeping with its long history as a center of trade, the area is now a bustling retail center that sees throngs of shoppers from all over Korea, China, and Japan. As for me, I was mostly fascinated by the English names they choose for the business establishments. I'm still not sure which is my favorite, Whoever Coffee and Herb (that's herbal tea for you kind folk who might be wondering) or Beer CEO.
Being near a subway station is essential because it gives quick and easy access to pretty much anywhere in this city of 3.5 million people, which is bounded by mountains and sea, so it's quite spread out. One must-see destination is Songjeong Beach, which has a beautiful park next to it, overlooking the ocean. Apparently, Supe's got a date with destiny here... Lots of locals turn out to picnic here, and one woman even has the perfect spot to practice her flute.
And from there it's just a couple of kilometers to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, the most popular temple in Busan because of its seaside location and the superior good luck that supplicants realize from prayers offered here. All I know is it hosts the happiest Buddha I've seen yet.
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