City Introduction

Busan, in the southeast of Seoul, with a distance of 450km, the second largest city of South Korea, logistics center in the Pacific Rim. A famous good deepwater port, leading the world in facility and transfer capacity at present. Located at 129°E and 35°N, bordering on Korea Strait (called Dahanhaixia, Korea Strait by South Korea) in the southeast, facing Tsushima Island of Japan; close to Nakdong River in the west. Mountains tower in northwest, islands barrier in the south, south portal of the peninsula. Hot springs spread all over the city, with mountains surrounded, also a coastal city with beautiful scenery. After many years of development, Busan has become an international modern city with coexistence of multiple cultures. Busan International Film Festival is also held here, since establishment in 1996, it has become a film festival of Asian and even global producers, stars and media are keen on visiting. Busan also has complete air-sea-land traffic facilities. Busan Gimhae Airport has directs flights to main cities of the world, and Busan Port also has passenger vessels to many famous ports. Main attractions include Donglai Fenyu Temple, Taejongdae, Haeundae, the largest bathing beach of South Korea, Hesong Island, Dadaejin, and health resorts such as Donglai and Haeundae hot spring. There are more than 50 parks and baths. And coilia ectenes culture tourism festival is held in autumn.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

In the period of Goryeo Dynasty (from the tenth century to the late fourteenth century), this city was called Busanpo, “Busan” means “pot-shaped mountain”, the name is based on the shape of mountain behind this city. While “po” means “gulf” or “seaport”.

In 1876, Busan became the first international port of Korea. Since 1910, Busan became a city of Japanese protectorate, and the city center was a busy trading port. It rapidly developed into a modern port city in the period of Japanese rule (1910-1945), and ships could be directly bound from Busan wharf to Shimonoseki of Japan. Steam train railway leading to China and Russia was opened in 1924. During Korean War (1950-1953), Busan is the only port for UN transporting equipment and supply to Korea. Now there are still many fortifications and facilities that were built by UN armed forces in those years around the city. At that time, Busan was also a city accepting most refugees returning from foreign countries.

In 1963, Busan was specified as a municipality, in 1960s-1970s, Busan played a leading role in national economic development. In 1995, it was named “Dongrae” based on expansion of the city. In 2002, Busan successfully hosted the 14th Asian Games. Now, Busan Port is the third largest port in the world in virtue of its facility and transfer capacity.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Sand and beautiful beachscape on the coast; the city is surrounded by mountains, and hot springs spread all over the city. Busan is an ideal traveling place for both its landscape and ocean scenery. Busan provides seaside tourism and relevant water amusement. Tourists can see this city by ship outside this city.

 

 

 

 

Climate

Busan is warm temperate marine climate, moderate in relation to other cities of South Korea. Annual average temperature is 29~31℃ in summer and 7~9℃ in winter, and the annual average rainfall is about1500mm. The best travel time is spring and autumn. The weather is fine and pleasant in those seasons.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Network

South Korea is leading in the world in terms of network coverage, and it is very easy to find a net bar in downtown. The 3G and 4G signals covering the whole Seoul are enough to meet people’s network demand. The coffee house provides free WIFI generally, and the password is marked in the prominent place on the wall, and you may go to the checkout counter for inquiry if it is unavailable.

Post Office

The building of post office is in red, and the mailbox is also red. In South Korea, when letter or article is mailed, both domestic and foreign, the price is calculated based on the unit of gram (g). The expense of postcard is irrelevant to weight, based on types, 350 KRW/piece for air transport and 250 KRW/piece for maritime transport. Post the stamp after buying from post office or stationery store, and put the card into the mailbox in the street or international mail box in the post office.

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Consulate-general of the People’s Republic of China in Pusan (South Korea, CONSULATE-GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN PUSAN):

Address: 1418,U-2 DONG, HAEUNDAE, BUSAN, KOREA

Postcode: 612-022

Country geographic No.: 0082-51

Tel: Inquiry: 743-7985, 743-7990 office: 743-7983 0082-11-592-8745 (on duty)

Fax: 743-7987 (office), 742-5446 (business room)

E-mail: chinaconsul_bu_kr@mfa.gov.cn

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Required materials:

Passport: The valid period of passport should be at least more than six months

Picture: It’s better to supply a 2cun color picture with white ground (within half a year) different from that on passport, (the same picture as that on the new passport can be used)

Employment certificate: It is necessary to indicate company address and Tel. (sample is provided)

ID card: Clear copy (copy both sides clearly on one piece of A4 paper)

Deposit certificate: 1. Copy of bank passbook of people applying for visa (deposit term more than 6 months, over 50 thousand Yuan) or original of deposit certificate issued by the bank

3. Community property can be supplemented by marriage certificate or household register (original and copy)

Property certificate: 1. Property ownership certificate (over 70㎡ for Shanghai and over 100㎡ for other provinces and cities)

Car property certificate: 1. Personal car registration card or vehicle driving license (copy)

Business license: Copy of business license bearing company official seal.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Generally speaking, the currency is exchanged in local banks or domestic banks, and then is taken to South Korea, but is different when traveling to South Korea. The exchanging KRW with RMB in Seoul is as convenient as exchanging HKD in Hong Kong. Airport arrival hall and banks in South Korea, including Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank, KEB, IBK, Chinese-funded banks Seoul branches (Bank of China, ICBC, etc.) provides services of exchanging RKW with RMB, but some commission charges are required.

Credit Card

Credit card is widespread is South Korea, applicable to all stores, VISA and MASTER, and no commission charge is required for swiping card. When making payments with the above two methods, the bank first converts KRW to USD and then converts USD to RMB, which brings about some exchange losses. In order to attract consumers, VISA and Master Card often launch credit card discount activities with some brands irregularly, for example discount of 8.8 for swiping VISA card launched by MCM of Lotte duty free.

Tip

Tip is not accepted by South Korea generally. However, additional 10% service charge is included in basic charge for some high-class restaurant and hotel occasionally. The service charge is included in the bill, no need to give tips separately.

 

 

 

 

Religion

50.7％ South Korean people believe in certain regligion. Buddhists account for 45.6% of religious people; protestant Christians account for 38.7％ and the rest believe in other regligions.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

Alarm call 112 and fire alarm call 119 of South Korea.

When using the public phone by the road, first press emergency call button, then press 112, and the call is free. (visitors who don’t understanding Korean can also dial 112 for reporting in Chinese or other language. The police will arrive on the scene within 3-10 minutes after receiving the report), do not be panic when cooperation with the police is required for case or accident, and may immediately contact with Chinese embassy in South Korea and apply for help.

 

 

 

 

Notes

1. Now South Korea provides people who go to South Korea with tourist visa several times within two years, have good movement record of OECD country or are graduates of “211 Project” key universities with tourism multiple entry visa, very convenient for people shop in Seoul, and it is necessary to consult local competent consulate for details about whether you are eligible to apply for multiple entry visa.

2. South Korean is very disgusted with good waste, most South Korean people finish up the plate when dining. China tourists should pay attention during dining. Most Korean good is calculated by share of each person, one share is enough for people with common food intake, two or taking extra order properly for people with larger food intake for avoidance of waste.

3. Almost all restaurants in South Korean provide “free” appetizer. It is actually included in the price of dishes, so you may order again after eating up the appetizer on table.

4. Take all valuables with you or deposit them in the reception or safe box in travel. Check all articles in your bag and wallet at any time.

5. All tickets, like gate tickets, visiting tickets and ride tickets should be bought in the designated ticket office (especially KTX high-speed rail tickets).

6. When taking a taxi, especially at night, first try to confirm the plate number or information of the driver and vehicle (there is a sign bearing information of drivers before the co-pilot position of a taxi).

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Busan Jagalchi festival

Jagalchi market is a famous seafood market, and the Jagalchi festival hosted here is the domestic largest aquatic product culture festival. Main activities include aquatic product experience program that tourists directly participate in, survey by excursion boat, etc. You may enjoy the unique scenery of port city while tasting rich seafood .

Address: Jagalchi market, the district of Guangfu Road and Nanpu Road

Date: October, every year

Busan International Film Festival

Busan International Film Festival is aimed at introducing global film culture with diversified themes, mining newcomers and revaluing the forgotten works and film industry workers, and hosted in Busan in October every year. Since opening in September 13, 1996, it has obtained the reputation of the most dynamic film festival in Asia.

Location: BIFF square, Nampodong British theatre, Haeundae sailing arena and the district of Haeundae

Date: October, every year

Christmas Tree Culture Festival

The beautiful neon lamp in the district of Guangfu Road is splendid and gorgeous. Street performance events are held every day during the festival ,which made people in a fairytale world.

Location: Guangfu Road

Date: December 1-January 2