After an exciting and eventful 6 days in Jeju, we were ready to continue our adventure in Busan.
The flight to Busan was short and smooth.
It was fun to watch them look out the windows, eagerly anticipating the next chapter of our journey.
As we landed in Busan by early afternoon, the contrast between Jeju’s chill vibe and Busan’s busy city atmosphere was immediately noticeable.
While Jeju was laid-back, Busan greeted us with towering buildings, bright lights, and an energetic urban pulse.
We could already feel that the city was going to offer us a whole different set of experiences.
Our 13-Day Family Adventure in South Korea: A 3-Part Series
Join us as we take you through an unforgettable family trip across Jeju, Busan, and Seoul. From scenic landscapes and volcanic peaks to bustling city streets and cultural landmarks, we explored it all.
This 3-part series will walk you through each destination, highlighting the best spots, hidden gems, and family-friendly activities.
Day 7: From Jeju to Busan
Check-In at Busan City Hotel
We arrived at Busan City Hotel and were pleasantly surprised by the size of our room.
It had two queen beds and a massive bathtub, which the kids immediately claimed as their “private pool.”
After freshening up, we decided to explore a bit before dinner.
Initially was a chillax relax evening. Suddenly the ladies wanted shopping at Premium outlet.
Busan Premium Outlet
The kids stayed with me at the hotel while the ladies went shopping at the Busan Premium Outlet, about an hour’s drive from our hotel.
Since they wanted to maximize their time, they quickly downloaded the Uber app and got it to work for a $32 taxi ride to the outlet.
So the idea is, the shopping savings hor, must save $70.
Because 2 way mah.
So, we reached the outlet mall at 6pm. And little did we know the outlet mall close at 8.30pm during weekdays.
So, 2.5 hours to do shopping that will save you $70.
Let's go!
While they browsed the shops, I took the kids to a nearby playground and grabbed a simple dinner at a food village.
The weather had turned chilly, dipping to about 5 degrees, which made the outdoor playground feel even colder.
Charlene tried her best to keep warm while playing.
By the time they finished their shopping, the day was almost over, and we headed back to the hotel.
Ending the Day
Back at the hotel, the kids enjoyed a warm bath in the giant tub before falling asleep almost instantly.
Day 8: Exploring Busan with a Private Driver
Before coming to Busan we had research and book a 1 day tour transport.
Initially we are looking at Klook - which offers quite comprehensive itinerary for a day tour.
Then we start to research and found other 1 day tour transport option.
Gamcheon Culture Village
We started the day at Gamcheon Culture Village, often referred to as the Santorini of Korea.
The colorful houses stacked on the hillside and the narrow alleys filled with murals and art installations made this place truly unique.
Our driver surprised us by parking the car and walking us through the village.
It felt like a guided tour as he explained the history and showed us the best photo spots.
The kids were fascinated by the Little Prince statue, although we did not understand what is so fascinating about it. The queue was long, so we just took pictures from the side.
I think it is just a fomo thing.
We spent nearly two hours exploring, snapping pictures, and picking up some cute souvenirs from the small shops along the way.
Cheongsapo Skywalk
Next, we headed to Cheongsapo Skywalk, a glass-bottom walkway that extends over the ocean.
The view from the skywalk was breathtaking, with the clear blue sea stretching out in all directions.
The kids were hesitant at first, especially when they looked down and saw the waves crashing beneath their feet, but they soon got the hang of it.
Charlene clung to my hand tightly while Charlotte confidently walked ahead, waving back at us with a grin.
The skywalk was a short but memorable stop that gave us plenty of stunning photos.
Cheongsapo Blue Line Train Capsule Ride
From the skywalk, we headed to the Blue Line Train, a scenic capsule train ride that follows the coastline.
We had pre-booked tickets for the capsule starting from Cheongsapo, which saved us from the long queues.
The train ride from Mipo was actually fully booked, but it goes to Cheongsapo. So we figured out, that we can take from Cheongsapo to Mipo; with the transport waiting for us at Mipo station.
The capsule ride lasted about 30 minutes and offered gorgeous views of the ocean, cliffs, and the city in the distance.
The kids loved sitting in the small train cabin, peeking out at the scenery, and pointing out things they found interesting.
It was a relaxing way to take in the beauty of Busan’s coastline.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
After lunch, we visited Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a large Buddhist temple located along the coast.
The temple’s location right by the sea made it stand out from the others we had visited before.
Most temples are in the mountains, but this one is right on the rocky shore, making it very special.
It was built in 1376 and is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.
Visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, see stunning views of the ocean, and explore its statues and prayer halls. It is also a great place to watch the sunrise.
The kids were curious about the dragon statues and enjoyed walking through the temple grounds, which were filled with intricate carvings and beautiful pagodas.
The view of the temple with the ocean in the background was absolutely stunning.
Jagalchi Seafood Market for Dinner
We ended the day at Jagalchi Seafood Market, one of the most famous seafood markets in Korea.
Our driver recommended this spot for a fresh and unique dining experience.
We picked a live king crab weighing 2.5 kg, which cost 187,000 KRW (about $187), along with a few other seafood dishes.
The king crab is priced at $75 / kg.
In Singapore, a 2.5Kg Live King Crab will probably cost $300+. So we get 40% savings. Why not?
The crab was cooked on the spot, and we enjoyed it with simple dipping sauces.
The kids were thrilled to see the live seafood before it was prepared, and they happily dug into the meal.
Although it was pricey, the experience of dining at the market was unforgettable.
Day 9: From Busan to Seoul – A Smooth Transition
Morning in Busan
We started the day by packing up at Busan City Hotel.
The kids were surprisingly helpful, organizing their snacks and toys for the trip.
Our driver from the previous day offered to take us to Busan Station for 30,000 KRW (about $30), which we gladly accepted.
Initially we were still thinking how to luge our stuffs on 2 or 3 cabs. The $30 transport save our time.
Initially we were quoted like $100.
KTX Train to Seoul
We boarded the KTX train from Busan to Seoul, a 2.5-hour journey that was both smooth and relaxing.
Charlotte and Charlene were fascinated by how fast the train went, and they spent most of the ride glued to the window.
Charlene asked, “Are we flying?” while Charlotte kept pointing out the scenery speeding past.
We brought along some snacks, which made the ride even more enjoyable.
The time flew by, and before we knew it, we were arriving at Seoul Station.
Next Stop: Seoul – A Thrilling Blend of Culture, Shopping, and Family Fun Awaits!
Stay tuned for our Seoul adventure, where we explore the city's mix of rich culture, exciting shopping spots, and fun activities for the whole family!
Our 13-Day Family Adventure in South Korea: A 3-Part Series
Join us as we take you through an unforgettable family trip across Jeju, Busan, and Seoul. From scenic landscapes and volcanic peaks to bustling city streets and cultural landmarks, we explored it all.
This 3-part series will walk you through each destination, highlighting the best spots, hidden gems, and family-friendly activities.
hi! can you share the contact of your private tour contact? many thanks!
Thank you for dropping by! Hope I’m still in time to reply you.
You can refer to here for some itinerary information
And the driver contacts to customise your DIY itinerary.