Known across the country for its spacious and beautiful beach, this part of Busan also has numerous exciting cultural attractions.

The city of Haeundae attracts thousands of people to the 1-mile (1.5-kilometre) stretch of white sand known as Haeundae BeachOpens in a new window. The beach itself is 160 feet (50 metres) wide. Its gently sloping seafloor offers a shallow wading area in a protected bay. Join the hordes of people on the beach and include plenty of time to explore inland sites as well.

For an interesting perspective on this part of the city, view the film Tidal Wave, South Korea’s first major disaster movie. The plot involves people trying to escape a tsunami at Haeundae Beach. You might recognize some of the film locations as you travel around the city. The movie’s disaster story is fiction, of course.

Walk west along the beach to Dongbaekseom Island. It is now a peninsula but still bears the island name. Look for a mermaid statue, beautiful camellias and views over the ocean and toward the Gwangangdaegyo Bridge.

Inland from the beach are many attractions with broad appeal. Stop at Radium Art Centre for exhibits of contemporary visual, digital and sound art. Stroll through Busan Haeundae Traditional Market where typical Korean shopping includes housewares and farm-fresh produce and seafood.

Haeundae has many natural hot springs. Have a spa treatment at Haeundae Spa Centre, enjoy views while soaking in outdoor pools at Cimer Spa or rest your feet at the public Haeundae Hot Spring Footbath near the Haeundae Beach Tourist Information Centre.

Visit the SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium, which has over 250 species of marine creatures. Look for fish, amphibians, reptiles and algae in large tanks over three levels. Walk through a transparent tunnel and be surrounded by swimming sea animals.

See a concert or sporting event just west of Haeundae in the large convention centre BEXCO in Centum City. The Busan Cinema Centre hosts autumn’s famous Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

Take the Busan metro to the Haeundae stop. You’ll find accommodations across a broad price range fairly close to the beach.