Located at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, the coastal city of Busan features diverse elements ranging from a world-class convention center complex to art museums, film festivals, art fairs, surfing competitions, mountain biking experiences and a plethora of excellent hotels and restaurants.

Catering to both business and leisure travelers, Busan is often called Best Bleisure City in Asia, a slogan selected by Busan Tourism Organization as they market the city to South Korea and international travelers.

© Korea Tourism Organization – Camelpress

Busan’s Exhibition & Convention Center has grown to become Asia’s premier exhibition and convention hub by hosting international events on diverse scales. Now that the pandemic has mostly receded, numerous large-scale events are being held or scheduled consecutively, such as the 2022 Busan International Motor Show and the 74^th World Foundry Congress, both taking place for the first time in four years.

Every summer, thousands of South Koreans flock to the southern city of Busan in search of soju on the beach, fresh seafood and a buoyant nightlife. But Busan gained a different attraction recently: a burgeoning contemporary art scene. A concerted push to become a regional art hub made Busan home to multiple art fairs every year, as well as a biennale. Galleries bring in world-famous artists and unearth homegrown talent. Neighborhoods long neglected are seeing a renaissance with new exhibition venues popping up across town.

© Korea Tourism Organization

Busan Cinema Center is another major visual and cultural complex that has been the venue for countless international events and performances, including the Busan International Film Festival, Asia’s most prestigious cinema event, held this year Oct. 5–14.

The Busan Museum of Art will undergo its first major renovation in 20 years, with a mission to reach out to a wider audience.

“When the museum opened in 1998, art infrastructure was extremely weak,” said Jong Hyo Cheong, chief curator. “We didn’t have the ability or strategy to publicize local artists.” But when South Korean painters such as Park Su-geun and Kim Whanki gained international attention, the tide started to change,  and prices for their work skyrocketed. “It’s important for us to build a healthy ecosystem where artists, galleries, collectors and museums can all thrive,” he said.

Business visitors can enjoy many leisure activities available at Busan’s seafront. A popular activity is the yacht experience available at The Bay 101.  Holding a seminar on board, with Busan’s beautiful sea as the background, is guaranteed to be a memorable event. Visitors can also try kayaking and riding “dragon boats” for free on the Suyeong River. Since these activities require multiple people to collaborate and work together, they are becoming increasingly popular as team-building programs.

The Bay 101 © Korea Tourism Organization – Lee Beomsu

Busan’s Haeundae Beach is lined with luxury hotel chains, including the 5-star Westin Josun Busan, the 5-star Park Hyatt Busan, Paradise Hotel and Grand Josun, making it the perfect destination for leisure activities and relaxation. In addition, there are large-scale shopping and cultural facilities nearby such as Shinsegae Department Store and Lotte Department Store, allowing for easy and enjoyable shopping excursions.

Songjeong Beach is known as a surfing mecca because the water is not too deep but the waves and the wind are perfect for surfing. There are several surfing companies operating at Songjeong Beach, so it is easy to receive systematic and professional training. Lastly, at Gwangalli Beach, you can try the Gwangalli SUP (stand-up paddle) experience in full view of Gwangan Bridge, where you practice yoga by the sea during the day and then watch the sunset on a paddle boat at night.