Ahopsan Forest, located in Busan, South Korea, is a hidden gem known for its natural beauty and cultural significance. This forest gets its name from the nine peaks surrounding it, and for over 400 years, it has been preserved by the Moon family. The forest’s towering bamboo groves and serene trails make it a perfect escape for nature lovers. Ahopsan Forest gained popularity as the backdrop for various Korean dramas, including "The King: Eternal Monarch", among others. Its mystical and tranquil atmosphere has captivated filmmakers and visitors alike. Walking through its peaceful trails, visitors can enjoy the dense bamboo forests and the ancient Geumgang pines, adding to the unique charm of the place. Aside from its natural allure, Ahopsan also holds historical significance with Gwanmiheon, a traditional Korean house built without nails by the Moon family, blending seamlessly with the forest. This hanok reflects the harmonious relationship between nature and architecture in Korea.
Haedong Yonggungsa is a breathtaking temple located on the coast of Busan, making it one of the most unique temples in South Korea. Founded in 1376, this temple stands out from others that are typically nestled in the mountains, as it is situated right by the sea, offering a completely different atmosphere. The temple's name, which translates to "East Sea Dragon Palace Temple," is rooted in a legend that a dragon ascended from the sea to bring divine energy to the area. One of the temple's most captivating features is the harmonious blend of the temple's architecture with the stunning coastal scenery. To reach the temple, visitors must descend 108 steps, and as they do, they are greeted by a breathtaking view of the sea. Haedong Yonggungsa is especially famous as a prime spot to watch the sunrise, with many visitors arriving early in the morning to witness the spectacular scene of the sun rising over the East Sea, casting its golden light over the temple.
Gwangan Bridge, also known as the Diamond Bridge, is an iconic landmark in Busan, South Korea. The bridge spans 7.4 kilometers across the Gwangalli Beach and is particularly stunning at night when it is illuminated by thousands of colorful LED lights, creating a spectacular light show. The bridge offers panoramic views of the city and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who come to take in the breathtaking views and enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the promenade. Gwangan Bridge is also the setting for various events and festivals throughout the year, including the annual Busan Fireworks Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. If you're looking for a romantic spot to watch the sunset or simply want to enjoy the stunning views of Busan, Gwangan Bridge is a must-visit destination.
Bupyeong Kkangtong Market stands as a beacon of tradition and history, established in 1910. This market, initially favored by Japanese residents during the colonial era, transformed into a Korean hub post-liberation. During the Korean War, it served as a vital resource for refugees to acquire necessities. The market earned its unique name 'Kkangtong' (meaning 'tin can') as it became a trading ground for canned goods and various items from U.S. military bases. Post-war, it buzzed with energy from refugees from all over the country, evolving into a must-visit spot in Busan's international market scene. Today, Bupyeong Kkangtong Market is renowned for its vibrant array of food and sights. Visitors can savor fresh seafood dishes, Busan's signature dishes like milmyeon (wheat noodles) and dwaeji gukbap (pork soup), and popular snacks like bibimdangmyeon (spicy glass noodles), yubu jeongol (tofu stew), oden (fish cake), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).
Gamcheon Culture Village is a place where the rich history of post-war refugees and vibrant modern culture come together. Originally built by those who fled to Busan during the Korean War, the village was once a collection of modest, makeshift houses on steep hillsides. Over time, it has evolved into a lively cultural destination while preserving the traces of its past. Visitors can wander through the narrow alleyways and maze-like streets, discovering the village’s unique architecture and gaining insight into the lives of its early inhabitants. The biggest charm of Gamcheon Culture Village is its visually striking beauty, with colorful houses that look like stacked LEGO blocks. Landmarks such as the "Little Prince and the Fox" statue overlooking the village, and murals of BTS members Jimin and Jungkook, are popular attractions for fans and tourists alike. Gamcheon Culture Village blends art, history, and vibrant culture, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
Among Busan's four skywalks, this one is the largest and most beautiful, making it the only location where an admission fee is required. Imagine standing on a bridge, suspended 25 meters above the sparkling blue waters, with panoramic views of the bustling Busan coast. This striking pedestrian bridge connects the scenic Amnam Park to the uninhabited Dongdo Island, offering a unique vantage point to soak in the natural beauty of South Korea's coastal city. The bridge was originally established in 1965 and later rebuilt in 2020, it spans 127 meters, providing a stable yet thrilling walkway high above the sea. This isn't just a bridge; it's a gateway to some of Busan's most picturesque landscapes. Whether you're a photographer looking for that perfect shot, a nature lover seeking tranquility, or just someone who appreciates architectural beauty, this bridge is a must-visit. So, make sure to add the Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge to your Busan itinerary for an unforgettable experience!
Absolutely amazing day with our wonderful guide JB! Saw all the things we wanted to see in Busan in one day. Highly recommend, honestly one of the best days we had in Korea. JB is so knowledgeable, helpful and an absolute superstar! Thank you!
VERY ACCOMODATING. door to door service and very knowledgeable. English was great. lots of relevant information.
DJ was good company and eager to show us the highlights of his city. He was also flexible about our itinerary and was able to fit in our changed plans without any hesitation. He was a pleasure to be with
Thousand was just perfect for our local guide. We had good fun with him and enjoyed the locations visited.
Our guide Jason gave us a great taste of what Busan has to offer. We really enjoyed Gamcheon culture village. He provided excellent communication leading up to the tour. He was patient as some of us were slow walking. We appreciated he took us to a skincare shop as a special stop. Highly recommend Jason as guide
If you’re coming to Busan, booking a tour with Jason is an absolute must! He put together an incredible day for us, from exploring the historic old town to navigating the vibrant, bustling fish markets. Beyond the main sights, Jason was so thoughtful—he took us for delicious shaved ice, helped me find the best pharmacy for Korean skincare products, and wrapped up our day at the beach, which was such a beautiful way to end our time together. He is warm, knowledgeable, and pays attention to every little detail. Thank you, Jason, for making our trip so special!
We had an absolutely excellent day touring Busan with Susan. Besides being a total wealth of information, it was fun to spend our day with her. She really went the extra mile to make sure our tour was great. It rained off and on during our tour. Susan provided umbrellas and cold water for us. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Busan whether for a cruise ship stop or for a longer visit. Her knowledge of the city and its offerings are immense and sure to make your visit better. I have one comment to add. Our group consisted of four adults. The vehicle used allowed for comfortable seating for three with the fourth stuffed in the rear “third seat” area. Not comfortable at all for whoever gets stuck in back. Kids fit fine but not larger people. Despite this, tour was great and would book again but perhaps request a larger vehicle.
Had a fantastic day with Soun (Brian) South Korea adventure in Busan .. ..with the last stop our favourite, the amazing Gamcheon Culture Village with vibrant homes was amazing..but cut short due to time (I would recommend doing first & allowing 2hrs to take it all in) coupled with the Ahopsan Forest, the unique Haedong Yongyungsa Temple & the Gwanandgegyo bridge ..& great lunch.. A truly amazing place.. Hope to revisit ❤️ Tour guide great.. Very $’s for day, so plan to schedule out of peak time.. buses would also be ok to save $’s or team up with another 2-3 people to cut costs.. perhaps 4 max.. Overall a memorable day and our guide was fantastic. I would suggest food on the run if you are on cruise ship to ensure you fit all in .. if not on time constraint, explore food options with your driver..
We had the most amazing tour of Busan with Arthur. He welcomed us in the cruise terminal and guided us to his lovely clean, luxurious car. His tour style meant that he incorporated sites that we wanted to see as well as taking us to some hidden gems that we would never of found without a guide. It was a fantastic way to get around the city. Arthur really was the ‘king’ of the tours. He was passionate about his city and country and really maximised our time in port. His English is excellent and we really felt taken care of, as well as enjoying his company. Thank you for a fantastic experience.
Ahopsan Forest was stunning. It was a beautiful hike. Our guide, Suki, was wonderful. She took us to some great places and suggested a wonderful lunch. I would highly recommend this tour.
Pickup at cruise port on time. My wife uses a mobility scooter and our guide was considerate of us as we loaded and unloaded the scooter. We were able to see most of the major sites, in many cases before any buses showed up. Good recommendation for lunch. She watched our time and tried to fill it so we got good value from our tour and still returned to the ship on time.
I am so late on this review! We went in October 2024. Jason Lee was an excellent guide on this amazing tour. We saw so many things we wouldn’t have otherwise, and they were all breathtaking and left us with memories that will last a lifetime. Definitely one of the best, most memorable tours of our 17 days in Korea. I would highly recommend Jason to anyone. He is fun, engaging and very knowledgeable. He gave the impression right from the start that he genuinely cared to make sure his guests had the best experience - even making sure we had a care package of snacks and water packed by his wife! It was an added bonus that he picked us up at our hotel in the morning, and then dropped us right at the airport to catch our flight that evening to Jeju - he was very mindful of our time, making sure we saw everything and still made it to the airport in plenty of time for our departure. His driving was excellent (coming from someone who hates being a passenger!). Being a private tour also made it extra enjoyable, more of a personal touch. Our group of 6 were comfortable in his clean, well appointed van, and we would recommend this tour to anyone.
Went on this experience with my best friend and can say it is definitely an amazing time! Our guide was Dylan and he was very sweet and sociable during the entire trip. We booked the four hour experience, so before we got started Dylan helped us decide what attractions to see for our amount of time. At each place he gave us various factoids and was very knowledgeable. My favorite was hearing about what all the statues at the Haedong Yonggungsa temple represented. This was our first time in South Korea/Busan, and we found this to be the best part of our trip due to it being both insightful and fun along with the comfort provided by not needing to plan things ourselves or worry about transport. It very much feels like you’re hanging out with a friend and they are showing you around their hometown. The car/van we were in was also very nice!
Mia was informative and amazing. She showed us all of Busan’s major attractions while teaching us its history through stories and personal tales. We experienced Busan through sight, touch, hearing and taste. Fabulous authentic lunch topped off with banana milk treat. All stars for Mia. Pick up and drop off at port.
It was very flexible. Robin was great explaining the culture and the real way to do Korean BBQ. It was awesome. Our cruise ship shortened our port time. But Robin still made the experience memorable and fun.
The Busan day tour was excellent, with many interesting sites and well-organized stops throughout the day. Our guide spoke excellent English and provided very informative explanations about the city’s history and culture. The driver was very safe and professional, making the entire tour comfortable and enjoyable.
The tour was excellent. Fiona our guide and the driver Yeji were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. They accommodated our requests for wherever we wanted to go and were very entertaining! The car was comfortable and they provided cool drinks.
This tour truly was incredible. Our trip to Korea has taught us much about Korean kindness and hospitality and our guide Alan brought this experience to a whole different level. We originally booked this tour because my mother-in-law had a recent knee replacement surgery and we were concerned she would not comfortably navigate some of the faster paced group tours. Alan is a Busan native who clearly knows his home city. He went out of his way to make her feel comfortable, and even suggested alternative options that she could more easily navigate without compromising the quality of our experience. When we requested a sit down lunch instead of eating lunch at the traditional market, Alan quickly pivoted and took us to a delicious ginseng chicken soup restaurant. Thus far this has been one of our most favorite meals in Korea! This tour was well timed so that we did not feel rushed or overly crowded as we went to the various locations. We cannot thank Alan enough for this amazing day and we highly recommend this tour and especially Alan for anyone looking to truly experience Busan!
Outstanding Tour Guide and Driver. Fiona was knowledgeable, accommodating and FUN! Both young ladies made our 8 hour go by quickly and efficiently! Couldn’t ask for more!!!
Jason was an amazing tour guide! We had done many touristy things the day before so he used his creativity to come up with some very unique sights to see this second day! We had planned on the Ahopsan forest and he took us to a wonderful local restaurant in Haeundae on the water, a fantastic digital art museum, the new BIFF center, skywalk observatory, and ended with the drone show in Gwangalli beach! Perfect day: not too fast paced but very fulfilling! He is super knowledgeable and helpful :-)
In all of our travels around the world, we have never had a tour guide as incredible as Dylan! I had been in touch with him for nearly a year while planning our visit to Busan, and as the company’s owner, he was attentive, patient, and unbelievably helpful every step of the way. He originally mentioned he would assign us a guide — so you can imagine how thrilled we were when we found out he would be guiding us himself! Dylan made our time in Busan truly unforgettable. He is friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly accommodating. He listened carefully to what we wanted and designed the perfect itinerary that checked every box. We visited the breathtaking seaside temple Haedong Yonggungsa, rode the adorable and scenic Haeundae Blue Line Park Sky Capsule along the coast, and wandered through the colorful, artistic streets of Gamcheon Culture Village. And because he truly goes above and beyond, Dylan even took me to a Korean skincare shop at my request so I could bring home some of the best beauty products Korea has to offer! Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and the entire day felt seamless and personalized. We had the absolute BEST time in Busan with the BEST guide imaginable. If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate — and if you’re lucky enough to get Dylan as your guide, you are guaranteed an amazing experience!
Jason was a fantastic guide. He was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive, offering great suggestions for photo opportunities and asking for our preferences of what to see. The family enjoyed every minute of the tour, from our hike in the tranquil bamboo forest, having delightful tea and desserts at the traditional tea house, visiting the picturesque shrine and villages, to walking the bustling streets around Jagalchi Fish Market and BFCC. We recommend this tour with Jason for those visiting Busan, South Korea and are looking to see as much of it as possible in a day.
It was our very first time in Busan, and our guide, Ryan Lee, absolutely exceeded every expectation. We’ve traveled to many countries, and this was hands-down one of the best private tours we’ve ever experienced. Ryan’s energy, deep knowledge, and passion for his city made the entire day unforgettable. We learned so much about Busan’s history, culture, and hidden gems that we’re already excited to return—this time with our adult daughters so they can experience it too. We explored incredible sites, enjoyed an amazing lunch, and soaked up fascinating stories at every stop. Truly an exceptional day from start to finish.
Helena is a wonderful tour guide, friendly, personable, ready to answer any and all questions. We covered a lot of territory in one day but enjoyed all of the activities, which were varied from rustic beauty to the hustle and bustle of the Gukje Market. Helena gave us more than a tour of sites, she imparted a sense of Busan as a mega-city in transition, cherishing older traditions while transforming itself to an international city of art and commerce. We deeply appreciate her warmth and knowledge. Plus, she's one heck of a driver, navigating the crowded streets and fast-paced highways. We look forward to another tour with Helena when we return to Busan.
Arthur is the best guide! We had good communication before our day with him and he thought carefully about what we were interested in and what we weren't. He then put together a perfect itinerary, and our day was filled with wonderful experiences and information. We saw such a diverse range of places - and the tour lived up to its "hidden gems" title. His car was very comfortable and his driving was excellent. His English was perfect. He was quietly witty, related so well with us and was great company. He was interested in us too. He took us to a genuine local Korean restaurant for lunch, away from the tourist areas. Yummy! He made our day in Busan really memorable in so many ways. We wished we could have him on all our tours! If you are travelling to Busan, you must ask for him to be your guide!
This was a great private tour with some very unique experiences such as the bamboo forest and the temple by the sea. Our guide Changwoo graciously made some adjustments to the itinerary to accommodate my wife’s mobility issues. His vast knowledge of all the stops and ongoing commentary along the way made for an enriching experience.
Duplicate japanese bamboo forest. Unsatisfied
our 1 day trip with tour guide Dylan was really good. Dylan explained our destinations and was patience with us changing the route and detinations.
We had Finn take us around on two tours during our family trip to Busan. He was incredibly kind and friendly, and he accommodated our pace perfectly throughout the tours. Finn was very informative and shared great insights, which made the experience even more enjoyable. He is also a really good and safe driver, always making sure we were comfortable during the journeys. We highly recommend Finn to anyone visiting Busan. 정말 감사합니다!
We had looked at the suggested itinerary prior to our trip, and wanted to make a couple of changes. I contacted the tour provider through Viator, and they were wonderful. After reviewing the locations we wanted to visit they developed a suggested itinerary for us. We had requested to do the blueline capsule, the tour provider suggested what time and direction we should book, and included it into our day. Our guide on the day, Roy, was brilliant. He provided us with sufficient information about each stop, and generally accompanied us for the first few minutes at each location to provide information and assist with any questions we may have, before allowing us to have time to explore on our own. Roy was very passionate about sharing Busan's highlights with us, with a genuine pride in sharing Korean culture with us. Roy was very friendly, helpful, informative and made our day smooth and enjoyable. If we ever return to Busan we would definitely want to experience more with Roy as our guide, and would recommend him, and the tour company to anyone going.
Nice personalized tour with a Korean guide. We hit most of the top spots efficiently and had a delicious local lunch.
My guide, Arthur, gave me such a warm welcome to South Korea! I so enjoyed the time and the delicious foods that we shared. We were able to see all of the places in which I had an interest. I could not have chosen a more perfect guide for my first “taste” of all that Busan has to offer. Arthur was punctual, organized, and provided a thoughtfully planned and very instructive tour. He also spoke impeccable English. How lucky that I was paired with an English teacher who shared so many of my interests!
Jake was a wonderful guide. He took us to the two places that would have been more difficult to get to on our own. The Gorgeous Temple by the sea and the bamboo forest. We had a perfect day and weather. We really appreciated him dropping us off At Gamcheon Village so we could explore the shops and many colorful photo spots on our own at the end because we ran out of time. I would definitely recommend Jake 😊
Our day with Mia was the highlight of our trip. Could not have asked for a better day. Mia made our day really special. We had a fabulous lunch at her suggestion and then continued on our adventure. We could have never negotiated the fish market without her help and we had a truly amazing experience trying new things. Loved the entire day, again thank you Mia for taking such great care of us!
Kim is personable and loves her city. She was accommodating to our schedule and knowledgeable about our spots. This was a great way to see Busan and spend the day.
Our private tour with Daisy was great. She was informative and friendly. She picked us up from the cruise terminal on time. We visited a private Bamboo forest, Haedong Yonnggung Temple and the Gamcheong Village and had a traditional Korean lunch. It was a wonderful tour. Our ship arrival date was changed due to bad weather, so a big thank you to Korea Go Tours company for great communication and for being flexible with the date change in the short amount of time.
Very well organized tour. Fred was a great guide, excellent English and local knowledge. Took lots of photos which he sent to us.
It was a full day of activities with our guide CK. He was friendly, knowledgeable and spoke very good English. We went to the bamboo forest first, we climbed and walked a lot; you need to be fit for this excursion. Then we went to the Buddhist temple by the sea and that was amazing! We visited the busy market and had Korean bbq for lunch. We stopped by Gamcheon Culture Village and that was really neat. Overall this was a great experience with lots of activities packed in a day.
We had a great tour with Jason. Traffic was bad due to Chuseok. Jason still managed to get to all the sites in the allocated time while accommodating my family's needs. His commentary was very informative and we enjoyed the lunch he recommended at Jagalchi Fish Market. Thanks Jason.
My 15 year old son and I had a wonderful day with Jason (Sangheon) on our private tour. Although there was a general plan of places to go he asked us what our priorities were and we spent more time at those places. He provided very interesting facts about the places as well as happily answered questions we had. After having spent the prior few days planning everything it was nice to sit back and let someone local take over. He was attentive, helpful and took so many great photos. It was well worth doing this and I would choose it again in a heartbeat!
We enjoyed our experience with Dylan, our guide. He was attentive and helped us to create a unique experience incorporating some of our ideas into the tour. My only suggestion would be that you have more time as we felt a little rushed during our excursion.
We had the perfect day in Busan with Jenny! She helped us curate a great itinerary and had so much knowledge of the city to share. We would definitely recommend a tour with her!!
Our group of 4 had a nice day with Suki. We saw all the spots on the itinerary in a very efficient manner and were even able to add in a few extra places and views. Very interesting walk through the local fish market.
Great experience, nice places, good timing. Great guide and easy agenda. All in all we enjoyed it much.
My husband and I are very grateful for Dylan, our amazing tour guide and driver, for taking us to Ahopson Forest and Gamcheon Cultural Village. Initially, we booked the tour at 12:30pm but had to request Dylan to meet us up earlier since we could only get the early morning train to Busan. Dylan was so accommodating and flexible and met us at Busan Station immediately when we arrived. Visiting the Ahopson Forest was truly an experience of a lifetime. The bamboo forest was breathtaking. Dylan took beautiful photos of us that will remind us of our wonderful experience. We also appreciate Dylan's knowledge of Gamcheon Cultural Village as he shared with us the history of the village. Thank you Dylan for making the tour very memorable for us!
The tour guide JB was great! Very professional, nice and helpful. We spend a wonderful day during this luxury trip. Busan is a great city!!!!
Jason was a knowledgeable and hospitable guide. He showed us beautiful local spots while sharing the fascinating history.
Fantastic tour to do the key spots in Busan. Our guide Jason was very knowledgeable, had great English and a good sense of humour. We enjoyed the mix of the city and the countryside with a highlight being the Ahopsan forest for its tranquility. Would recommend this tour and especially our guide Jason to anybody wishing a private tour of Busan.
My wife and I booked the private eight hour tour and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Jake was our tour guide and he took us to the temple, bamboo forest, the markets, and the suspension bridge. He also took us to his favorite restaurant for lunch as well as his street food vendor for a sweet bite after the savory meal. Perfect guide with a memorable experience!
This was one of our favorite tours during our 1 month holiday. CK was a very personable and friendly guide. We saw all of Busan's major attractions and he taught us how to properly cook and eat K-bbq. CK also introduced hotteok and bingsu to us - which we ended up eating a couple more times after this tour. What I enjoyed most was our conversations in the car - history, culture, and learning about today's generation.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email